From March 9-11 the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando will host 2017’s Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure – appropriately named the “Magic of Produce.”
With great “Southern exposure,” the onion industry has several companies exhibiting, and more will be in attendance. Among those with booths are Utah Onions, Vidalia Onion Committee, Easterday Farms, Shuman Produce, Bland Farms, L&M, Eagle Eye Produce, LG Herndon Jr. Farms, Railex, Wada Farms, Gills Onions, Curry & Co., Keystone Fruit Marketing, Oso Sweet Co., Potandon Produce, Peri and Sons and Sweet Onion Trading Co.
This year’s event is jam-packed with great activities, sessions and presentations, including the March 11 luncheon with keynote speaker Willie Robertson. Other highlights are the Tom Page Golf Classic, educational workshops, networking receptions and of course the trade show.
The show kicks off on Thursday, March 9, with the Golf Classic at Disney’s Magnolia & Palms Golf Course. Friday provides opportunity for exhibitors to set up in the resort’s Atlanta and Pacific Halls, and the educational workshops will feature Fresh from the Field Farm Trips series of video “excursions” as well as presentations from five Southern states’ commissioners of agriculture. Author and James Beard Award winter David Sax will address the “return of tangible products and processes” in another workshop.
The Opening Night Gala will be held Friday evening.
Saturday has not only the well-attended expo running from 12:30-6 p.m. but also “Duck Dynasty” star Willie Robertson giving the keynote speech during the 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. luncheon. Later that evening the Gator Moon Beach Party will be held at the Dolphin Grotto and Beach Area.