What to expect at PMA Foodservice Show — at a critical time

(Photo of 2019 show and logo of 2021 show courtesy PMA; graphic by Amy Sowder)

To get through the past year and a half, many restaurants and foodservice operators revamped their menus. As they return to full-capacity indoor dining, more changes are sure to come.

Suppliers and buyers alike can learn what those trends and solutions will be at Produce Marketing Association’s Foodservice Conference and Expo, returning in-person July 21-22 to Monterey, Calif.

This will be the 40th anniversary of PMA’s foodservice show.

Reconnecting with peers in the flesh will be a highlight too. Joe Watson, PMA’s vice president of member engagement, retail and foodservice, said he hasn’t seen his PMA colleagues in person since December 2019.

“How many of us are in the same boat? This is a tight-knit industry with strong relationships, and it means something to be together and re-establish those relationships on a personal level,” Watson said. “Learning what’s new, what’s next, what the supply side is bringing to market, to the buyer side, to operators and distributors as restaurants recover and operators rebuild — it’s all going to have a much higher meaning this year for everyone attending in Monterey.”

Foodservice at retail is hot too, he said, becoming more of a trend as supermarkets filled in for closed restaurants. After the show, attendees will get an access code to a Food Marketing Institute research report about the trends in foodservice at retail.

There will also be eight school foodservice directors attending, along with many of PMA’s colleagues at United Fresh Produce Association, said Siobhan May, PMA’s director of communications and public relations.

Buyer participation is strong this year, with more than 300 attendees who are buyers, comprising 30% of registered attendees.

This is thanks in part to sponsors of the new Hosted Buyer Program.

“Because of the pandemic, most of the buyers didn’t even have a budget to travel at all this year. When we realized we could do an in-person event, we were fortunate to have a number of exhibitors and other companies to help sponsor and support this program,” Watson said.

At least 12 companies have buyers supported by this program.

The expo floor is sold out with 118 exhibitors, less than the typical 200 exhibitors due to COVID-19 distancing measures by the Monterey Conference Center.

For those who can’t be at the show in person but still want to be a part of it, PMA will live stream the July 22 general session in the PMA mobile app 9 to 9:45 a.m. Pacific, available for everyone, whether or not they’re registered for the event, May said.

Lauren Scott, PMA’s chief strategy and membership officer, will lead the general session, which should support attendees’ efforts to fast-track their operations as the foodservice sector revives. A deeper dive in small breakouts with peers and industry leaders across the foodservice supply chain will follow.

People who can’t attend can also check out all of the exhibitors online and reach out using the My Show Planner tool.

pma foodservice show 2019
Photo of 2019 show courtesy PMA

For those planning to be in Monterey, these show tips may help you get the most out of the trip:

  • With the My Show Planner tool, attendees can see who is exhibiting, search by products and services, check out the Fresh Ideas Showcase, schedule meetings for onsite or online and more. This information will also be available in the mobile app about a week before the event;
  • This year’s Best of Show contest will be a Chef’s Edition, judged by Shaun O’Neale, owner and executive chef of Larrea, Las Vegas, winner of MasterChef Season 7 on FOX and author of My Modern American Table. O’Neale will lead a recipe demo between 4:15 and 5 p.m. and chat with guests at the post-expo reception at The Barns at Cooper Molera, three blocks from the conference center;
  • For anyone looking for informal meeting locations or to take a break during the show, the Monterey Conference Center Level 2 foyer and Jeffers Plaza will be set up as a networking lounge, where beverages will be served. A grab-and-go lunch will also be provided at those locations on expo day;
  • Book reservations for any breakfast, lunch or dinner meetings in advance to support local restaurants. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, there may be longer wait times or fewer staff, so expect meals or seating to take longer than usual;
  • Winners of the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award will attend and be recognized in the general session;
  • PMA’s weekly Virtual Town Hall will be filmed on location in Monterey to watch on Wednesday at noon Eastern. As the industry gathers in Monterey for the 40th anniversary of the show, industry veterans will share how they look for innovation and new ideas to build a healthy business. Panelists include Steve Grinstead, CEO of FreshEdge; Rich Dachman, CEO of Brighter Bites; Nichole Towell, senior director marketing and packaging procurement at Duda Farm Fresh Foods; and Chef Todd Fisher, culinary ambassador for Duda Farm Fresh Foods;
  • PMA’s Center for Growing Talent has an invitation-only Happy Hour and a Half July 21, but both those attending or not can contribute to the center’s programs, like the Career Pathways program, by joining the Virtual Walking Challenge;
  • All attendees can also sign up to help give back to local families in a special Brighter Bites networking and volunteer experience at a local school the morning of July 21;
  • While physical distancing, capacity and mask requirements (for those vaccinated) have been lifted, the expo and meeting rooms will be set up to allow for more socially distant interactions throughout the conference. Exhibitors will serve samples in portable, single-serving containers and there will be plenty of places to take a mask break. Check out all healthy and safety measures.

 

 

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