More announcements recently about live produce events, with PMA Foodservice set for July in Monterey, CA, and the Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association in June.
IOFVA will hold its 58th annual convention June 10-12 in at Shore Lodge in McCall, ID, with messages and updates from Association President Brad Watson expected during the next few weeks. A full slate of family-friendly activities, business meetings, engaging speakers and awards/elections are planned for the three-day convention.
The convention also features some longtime industry traditions, such as the Welcome Reception, Annual Jim Watson Memorial Softball Game, Blackjack Tournament and Golf Tournament. For more information, contact the Idaho-Oregon Fruit and Vegetable Association at 208-722-5111.
Produce Marketing Association announced in late March the annual PMA Foodservice show is live this year on Thursday, July 22, at the Monterey Conference Center & Portola Hotel and Spa. The expo will
from 12:15-3:45 p.m. OnionBusiness publisher Sherise Jones, a longtime attendee of the Monterey event, said she welcomes the decision by organizers to move the event from Saturday to Thursday.
“What we’ve found is that a lot of buyers and suppliers are in the Monterey area at the end of the week doing business anyway, and re-scheduling the expo to Thursday allows them to return home for the weekend and be ready to get back to work on Monday,” she said. “It sort of makes sense to see this change in the schedule.”
PMA Foodservice organizers said the industry has responded to the live event enthusiastically, saying they’re eager to network and see what’s new in products, services, and consumer trends. Keeping safety top of mind, the organizers have modified the expo floor for social distancing and have limited the number of booths to 71. There will be a six-foot separation between all booths, and the aisles are 15-20 feet wide. Face masks will be required, and each booth may be staffed by one or two reps.
Another innovative move by the event’s organizers is the Hosted Buyer program. The online description of the new program, posted at https://www.pma.com/-/media/foodservice/2021/files/hosted-buyer-program.pdf?la=en, states, “Foodservice buyers are eager to connect face-to-face with new suppliers, products and ideas, which is difficult at this time due to budget restrictions. Support foodservice operators, distributors and retail foodservice buyers by contributing to the Hosted Buyer Program. Each contribution will bring two to three buyers to the 2021 Foodservice Conference & Expo and/or Fresh Summit by helping to cover airfare, hotel and other miscellaneous travel expenses.”
PMA will provide complimentary registrations. The minimum contribution is $4,150, and benefits to the contributing company include:
• Three all access passes to the 2021 Foodservice Conference & Expo and/or access to the interactive attendee directory to connect and schedule meetings.
• Logo recognition on event website.
• Logo recognition onsite at the event.
• Email communication to buyers promoting all companies hosting their participation.
• Priority access and discounted pricing for sourcing meetings at the Foodservice Conference (limited availability). For more information, contact PMA at 302-738-7100.
