Newark, Del. — In three months, produce industry members voyaged to three continents, including Asia, North America and Australia, to gain industry knowledge and develop helpful connections during Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Connections World Tour.
The tour is designed to bring together the entire global supply chain. Each event explores specific industry issues and market trends that are relevant to the event’s region.
“The uniqueness of PMA’s Fresh Connections World Tour is undeniable,” says PMA Chairman Russ Mounce, vice president, divisional merchandise manager of produce, Sam’s Club, Bentonville, Ark. “Experiencing opportunities like this, traveling across the globe to see and understand how businesses run in other parts of the world, creates that solid foundation for running successful businesses, which helps our industry continue to grow.”
The tour’s first five events have already zoomed by:
Fresh Connections: China: Industry members traveled from 15 countries to participate in the education and networking that took place during Fresh Connections: China in Shanghai.
Fresh Connections: Retail: Participants came together in Philadelphia to discuss the retail sector of the produce industry and meet with prospective partners.
Fresh Connections: Mexico: Members of the produce industry gathered to network and tap into the Mexican market to identify emerging business opportunities.
Fresh Connections: Australia-New Zealand: More than 1,000 attendees interested in “Growing a Better Future” participated in the education sessions and exposition to learn and network.
Fresh Connections: Floral Anaheim: Members from across the entire floral supply chain learned about new research focused on understanding the changing supermarket landscape and identifying trends—to help position the floral industry for growth— and explored how to turn data into actionable outcomes for your business.
Upcoming events will continue to connect the global industry:
“One of PMA’s strategic goals is to provide value year-round to members worldwide. Based on feedback received from leaders who’ve attended our global series of Fresh Connections events so far in 2016, we’ve delivered on that promise domestically, as well as in Mexico, Australia, and in China,” says PMA President Cathy Burns. “With four more Fresh Connections events scheduled in the coming months, our intent is to provide a forum for industry members to network, learn more about emerging opportunities, and discover solutions to challenges that face our industry today.”
Both produce and floral industry members will embark on the road to growth and success as they attend the final four events left on this year’s tour:
Miami, Florida, U.S. (Fresh Connections: Floral Miami) – July 14
This event will offer insight on marketing strategies and consumer and retail trends through floral-specific education sessions. Attendees will also meet with prospective partners to build relationships, discover business opportunities and create new ideas.
Pretoria, South Africa (Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference & Expo) – August 17, 18
Now in its sixth year, Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference & Expo will connect attendees with industry experts in sub-Saharan Africa and around the world. Education sessions will offer insights to prepare for the growing demand of fresh produce, floral and industry talent in the region.
São Paulo, Brazil (Fresh Connections: Brazil) August 18
This event will bring together retailers, grower-shippers and wholesalers that wish to collaborate with other industry professionals to develop new opportunities and market insights. Strong conference sessions will bring together global and local expertise to discover tools to do business in South America’s largest economy.
Santiago, Chile (PMA Fruittrade Latin America) November 9, 10
Global produce industry members will participate in business roundtables, education sessions and an exposition to make connections, gain fresh insight and create promising business opportunities in Latin America.
Learn more about these upcoming PMA Fresh Connections at www.pma.com/events.
About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)
Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing connections that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption. For more information, visit www.pma.com.
Source: Produce Marketing Association (PMA)