Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure 2024 — Part 3
TAMPA, Fla. — Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner shared the biggest lesson he learned during his career, as he spoke during the keynote brunch at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure event.
And that lesson came well before he was a Super Bowl champion.
In college, Warner did not start as a quarterback, so he asked a friend on the team to check with his coaches as to why that was the case. The coaches noted that Warner didn’t show up in practice, so they were unsure if he could perform in the big games, Warner said.
He said he realized how this parlayed into his personal life, where he thought he should only focus on the “big” events, such as birthdays and anniversaries. However, Warner said he realized his family cared more about how he showed up every day, not just in those big moments.
“How do you show up every day? What can that person across from you expect from you every time you show up to do any sort of job?” Warner said. “That's a really different model for me even though it came through a time when I wanted to be on the field and wanted to be playing but didn't fully understand it. It became the greatest lesson that I've ever learned.”
Warner was joined on stage by Adam Mendler, host of the business podcast “Thirty Minute Mentors."
The keynote brunch was one of the highlights from this year's Southern Exposure trade show and conference, held March 7-9.
The New York Apple Association’s “Big Flavor” campaign was a major focus for the organization’s booth at the SEPC event. Cynthia Haskins, president and CEO of the association, said it also highlighted the promotable volume of more than 30 varieties of New York-grown apples including pouches, polybags and totes.
“Apples are the perfect to-go snack,” she said.
John Green Logistics Co. took the “unseen heroes” theme to another level with its booth display at SEPC, with its elements of camouflage. The freight management company highlighted its refrigerated flatbed, drayage and dry freight services.
Chris Sandwick, director of marketing for Hess Brothers Fruit, said there was a great reception to the company’s Wild Twist apple at SEPC.
“We’ve seen a lot of people already carrying Wild Twist, and they’re happy with how it’s been performing, especially in a tough year,” Sandwick said. “They’ve stopped by to tell us how good it’s been doing.”
At the Procacci Brothers Sales booth, Rick Feighery shared how his company wanted to tout its tropical, organic, floral and tomato offerings. The company recently started working with a new avocado grower, which was another highlight of its SEPC booth, he said.
Feighery said he enjoyed attending SEPC to network.
“It’s always good to connect with old business and meet new,” he said.
The Auerpack team said a highlight of its SEPC booth was its bulk and peeled garlic availability. Josh Auerbach said the company also shared its availability for asparagus and specialty and tropical produce along the East Coast.
Stemilt Growers showcased its organic apples featuring EZ Band packaging, a recyclable paperboard-based package that holds four large-size apples. The Wenatchee, Wash.-based company also highlighted its Lil’ Snappers pouches designed for children.
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