Unprecedented times call for unprecedented actions, and United Fresh has surpassed all unprecedented expectations in its pivot to a virtual trade show this year.
The emergence of COVID-19 caught virtually everyone in a common predicament, and – with “virtually” being the key word – United Fresh quickly regrouped and changed its June convention and expo set to take place in San Diego to a virtual event renamed United Fresh LIVE! The free event, which is happening the week of June 15-19 online, allows “everyone and dedicated to connect customers and suppliers just as the in-person convention has done for decades.”
There’s still time to register at https://info.unitedfresh.org/en/united-fresh-2020-live-registration-0-0?__hstc=10925803.9889afb9dc6e967f1e906f1962a8e6bb.1591116526135.1591122231211.1591128104554.3&__hssc=10925803.5.1591128104554&__hsfp=558735220, and a full schedule of events can be found at https://www.unitedfreshlive.org/uf20/public/sessions.aspx?View=Sessions.
Great sessions and networking opportunities await, and the final segment of the event will bring together key staff and officers of five leading produce associations during the United Fresh LIVE! Closing General Session on Friday, June 19. The group will share “their vision for the future of our global produce industry,” the United site notes.
“Joining United Fresh’s Chairman Michael Muzyk, Baldor Specialty Foods, and President & CEO Tom Stenzel, for the closing session will be: Western Growers Chairman Ryan Talley, Talley Farms, and President & CEO Dave Puglia; Produce Marketing Association Chairman Joe Don Zetzsche, HEB, and CEO Cathy Burns; Canadian Produce Marketing Association Chairman Davis Yung, Fresh Direct Produce Ltd., and President Ron Lemaire; and Freshfel Europe Chairman Stephan Weist, REWE Group, and General Delegate Philippe Binard.
Additional general sessions include Tuesday’s Women in Produce LIVE! General Session, honoring Women in Produce Honoree Sarah Frey, President and CEO of Certified Women Owned Business Frey Farms and Founder of Tsamma™ Watermelon Juice and Sarah’s Home Grown;Wednesday’s Organic LIVE! GeneralSession that examines the “future of organics in a post-coronavirus environment” with Tonya Antle, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of the Organic Produce Network, hosting a panel of top industry leaders;Thursday’s Retail-Foodservice LIVE! General Session
Pay that will laud this year’s 25 Retail produce Manager Award winners and the nine Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award winning chefs and operators.
Thus far nearly 200 virtual exhibitors have signed up, and the international virtual attendee list numbers in the hundreds. Onions, of course, are well represented with shippers and supply companies from across the country taking part. You can check the list at https://www.unitedfreshlive.org/uf20/Public/Content.aspx?ID=5109&sortMenu=104002.
