PMA's Fresher Summit

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WATERMELON — F.O.B.S AS OF FEB. 13

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH TEXAS — Crossings (85-71-77) — Movement expected about the same. Trading early fairly active, late moderate. Supplies light. Prices higher. Red-flesh seedless-type per-pound cartons 4-6s mostly 30 cents; 24-inch bins approximately 35, 45 and 60 counts mostly 28 cents. Quality generally good. Most present shipments from prior bookings and/or previous commitments at lower prices.

CENTRAL AMERICA IMPORTS — Imports (88*-108*-62, seedless 47*-79*-8; seeded 0-0-0) — Imports via boat from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua. Movement expected to remain about the same. Ports of entry: south Florida. Trading active. Prices higher. Cartons flat red-flesh seedless miniature 6-9s mostly $15. Red-flesh seedless-type 65- to 69-pound cartons 3-6s 32-33 cents per pound. Quality good. *revised.

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZ. — Crossings (35-31-20, seedless 33-31-20, seeded 2-0-0) — Movement expected about the same. Trading active for very light supplies. Prices much higher. Red-flesh seedless-type cartons per-pound 4-5s mostly 34 cents, 6s 30-34 cents. Quality variable.

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Home > Opinion > Opinion > PMA's Fresher Summit

Opinion

PMA's Fresher Summit

01/27/2012 10:05:13 AM
The Packer Editorial Board

Sometimes less is more.

The Produce Marketing Association’s decision to shorten its flagship event — the annual Fresh Summit convention and exposition that attracts upward of 17,000 from across the industry every year — promises to give attendees and exhibitors more value for less time.

PMA is sharpening the focus of its exposition from its usual Saturday, Sunday and Monday by doing away with the final day while lengthening the two weekend days’ events.

PMA’s move shows the organization is listening to its membership.

Grumbling about lack of booth traffic on the last day of Fresh Summit has been a legitimate complaint and tradition by exhibitors in recent years.

Some well-known names in the industry had begun to rethink their approach to the expo, some even opting to simply attend but not exhibit at all.

With retail and foodservice buyer presence dropping off steadily during the course of the show — and all but drying up by Monday morning — PMA’s move makes sense for buyers and exhibitors.

Quite simply, PMA looked at the reality (that many buyers were flying home Sunday to be back at the office Monday) and adapted the schedule to reflect that.

PMA’s responsiveness to the needs of exhibitors and members is commendable, and the new schedule will maximize time spent on the show floor and dollars spent by attendees and exhibitors alike.

The change seems unlikely to decrease attendance and might even increase it through improving the quality of time (and money) spent by exhibitors at the expo.

Did The Packer get it right? Leave a comment and tell us your opinion.