Orlando, Florida – Five companies stood out among the record-breaking number of more than 1,200 exhibitors at Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) 2018 Fresh Summit Convention & Expo, taking honors for Best Overall Product Promo, Best Packaging Promo, Best First-Time Exhibitor, Best of Show: In-line Booth, and Best of Show: Island Booth.
An anonymous panel of trade show industry experts selected the Best of Show winners, while a panel of produce and floral buyers joined the anonymous panel to help select the Best Overall Product Promo and Best Packaging Promo awards. The buyer panel included representatives from: Associated Wholesale Grocers, Crest Foods, Giant Food Stores, LLC, Harp’s Food Stores and HelloFresh.
Sambrailo Packaging, Shenandoah Growers companies take marketing awards
Sambrailo Packaging was presented the Best Packaging Promo award. This award is designed to encourage packaging innovation by recognizing pioneering ways that packaging is being used to market fresh produce and floral. Exhibitors in the Fresh Ideas Showcase, right outside the expo hall, were eligible to be considered for this award at their request. Mucci Farms won the inaugural Best Packaging Promo award in 2017.
“We are very excited that ReadyCycle is awarded the Best Packaging Promo award. We are committed to driving change in the agriculture packaging industry to ensure businesses and consumers reduce their environmental impact and ecological footprint. The time is now to make change happen with ReadyCycle as your plastic-free packaging alternative. Join the ReadyCycle movement. Let’s show our love to the planet,” said Director of Sales and Marketing for Sambrailo Juana Ramírez.
Shenandoah Growers was presented the Best Overall Product Promo. This award encourages marketing innovation by recognizing the produce or floral product that the panel of retail judges believes would drive sales and that they would carry in their stores. All the exhibitors in the Fresh Ideas Showcase were automatically eligible to be considered for this award. Southern Specialties won the honor of Best Overall Product Promo in 2017.
“We are very excited about the opportunity to showcase our products and innovations as indoor vertical growing experts in the culinary herb category. Our new brand ‘That’s Tasty’ has been brought to the spotlight with a modern approach to a flavorful line,” said Shenandoah Growers Director of Marketing Nadine Williams.
Three exhibitors take Best of Show awards
Fresh Summit’s “Best of Show” awards are designed to generate enthusiasm and excellence among exhibitors by recognizing effective exhibits. Judges look for:
- Booth attractiveness;
- Product displays and messaging; and
- Staff performance.
The 2018 Best of Show awardees are:
- Best of Show, in-line booth (10 feet deep and any length wide): Snack It Forward
- Best of Show, island booth (20 x 20 feet or larger, with aisles on all four sides): Triple H Produce
- Best First-Time Exhibitor: Fresh Cravings, LLC
These awardees of Best of Show, in-line booth and Best of Show, island booth win first spot on the “move list” for exhibit space next year and one Fresh Summit All Access Pass to next year’s show. The awardee of Best First-Time Exhibitor wins one Fresh Summit All Access Pass to next year’s show, $500 GES credit and the third spot on the “move list” for exhibit space next year, after the Best of Show winners.
“We’d like to thank PMA for giving World Peas Peatos the Best In-Line Booth award at the Fresh Summit! Our booth is a reflection of our brand where taste always comes first. We want to give attendees the best experience possible so that Peatos leaves a lasting impression, and we’re thrilled everyone enjoyed the lounge, the records, and the great taste of our snacks. We’ll continue to strive and make the snacking experience memorable and meaningful,” said Snack It Forward CMO Marcus Seiden.
“Seeing ourselves as the platform where growers and customers can thrive is absolutely inspiring and empowering. More than ever, we are fully engaged on creating new ways to make a difference on the experience and service we provide, which turns out to be really fun!” Triple H Marketing Manager Alicia Garza.
“Fresh Cravings is the fastest growing chilled salsa in America and we are deeply honored to be at Fresh Summit and to be recognized as the Best First-Time Exhibitors. We’re going to eat a lot of salsa in celebration tonight,” said Fresh Cravings, LLC President Jay Whitney.
About Produce Marketing Association
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) 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
