Industry members spoke, and the International Fresh Produce Association listened.
IFPA is shifting its annual produce and floral show, previously a weekend event, to a Wednesday through Friday schedule starting this year from Oct. 14-16 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
“The shift to a Wednesday to Friday schedule was made in response to feedback we’ve received from both attendees and exhibitors over the years,” says IFPA CEO Cathy Burns.
“As business needs and travel preferences have evolved, many participants expressed a desire to maximize their time conducting business during the workweek while still being able to return home before the weekend,” she says.
The new schedule will give attendees and exhibitors more weekday time on the show floor to meet with customers, discover new products and innovations and make business connections while reducing the need for weekend travel, Burns says.
What’s New on the IFPA Show Floor
A schedule adjustment isn’t all that’s new for 2026.
“This year, we’re building on several successful initiatives designed to help attendees discover new ideas, make valuable connections and navigate the show more efficiently,” Burns says.
IFPA says those initiatives include:
- The expansion of guided show floor tours. Last year’s first-ever show floor tour focused on regenerative agriculture. This year, IFPA is expanding the tour program to feature more exhibitors and introducing a new Fresh Supply Chain of the Future Tour, highlighting innovations and solutions that are helping shape the future of the fresh produce and floral industry.
- Making the expo floor easier to navigate and helping attendees identify the products, technologies and innovations most relevant to their business.
- Adding the Breeder Pavilion within the Innovation Hub, which serves as a focal point for new ideas and emerging technologies. The Breeder Pavilion will showcase innovative new produce varieties and provide attendees with a firsthand look at developments that could influence the future of the marketplace.
- Expansion of the programming at the Food Safety & Tech X-Change, with a strong lineup of sessions designed to address the priorities of operations, supply chain, food safety and logistics professionals. The X-Change brings together industry experts and solution providers to share practical insights, emerging trends and real-world strategies that can help businesses improve efficiency, strengthen resilience and prepare for the future.
“Together, these enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to helping attendees discover innovation, gain practical insights and maximize the value of their time at the Global Produce and Floral Show,” Burns says.
Educational Sessions and Networking Opportunities
Other highlights include Burns address covering key trends, opportunities and challenges affecting the fresh produce and floral industries.
“Historically, the State of the Industry presentation has provided insights into market dynamics, consumer trends, industry performance, innovation and the issues that will shape the industry’s future,” Burns says.
And there’s the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast — “a signature event that combines powerful networking with thought-provoking leadership content.”
The breakfast will provide attendees with the opportunity to hear from an accomplished keynote speaker, exchange ideas with colleagues from across the industry and “leave with insights that can help them grow personally and professionally,” IFPA says.
“It is consistently one of the most engaging and well-attended programs of the week and highlights the industry’s commitment to cultivating talent and leadership at every level,” says Elyse Lipman, CEO of Lipman Family Farms and incoming chair of the IFPA board of directors.
Attendees also can take advantage of educational programming focused on the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of fresh produce and floral, including sessions at the Food Safety & Tech X-Change that address issues important to operations, logistics and supply chain leaders, Lipman says.
The Evolution of the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show
The 2026 event marks the fifth edition of the IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show.
“While the industry has a long history of convening through annual events, including through the legacy organization Produce Marketing Association, the Global Produce and Floral Show reflects the modern, global vision of IFPA and has quickly become the premier gathering place for industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers from around the world,” Burns says.
IFPA will continue to sell exhibit space through the start of the show, subject to availability, and as of mid-September, rooms were still available within IFPA’s official hotel block.
“We encourage prospective exhibitors and attendees to make their plans soon, but there is still time to join us in Orlando for this year’s Global Produce & Floral Show,” Burns says.
Connecting the Supply Chain On the Show Floor and in the City
Whether you’re a produce or floral buyer or seller, the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce and Floral Show is the place to be Oct. 14-16, says Elyse Lipman, CEO at Lipman Family Farms and incoming chair of the IFPA board of directors.
“The Global Produce and Floral Show consistently attracts attendees from across the fresh produce and floral supply chains, including growers, buyers, retailers, wholesalers, foodservice operators, importers, exporters and industry service providers,” Lipman says.
“For exhibitors, it’s an opportunity to showcase products and services, strengthen existing customer relationships, meet new buyers, launch innovations and gain insights into market trends,” she adds.
For buyers, the show offers an opportunity to see a broad range of products, suppliers, technologies and solutions in a single venue.
The venue — the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. — provides the scale and flexibility needed to deliver the full Global Produce and Floral Show experience, says Kyle McMillan, IFPA’s director of trade shows.
“One of the biggest advantages this year is that the venue’s size allows all exhibitors to be housed together in one large hall, creating a more cohesive experience for attendees and exhibitors alike,” McMillan says.
Beyond the convention center itself, Orlando can offer a rewarding experience for visitors.
Attendees have access to a variety of hotels, restaurants and entertainment options within walking distance of the venue, “making it easy to continue conversations and build relationships beyond scheduled meetings and show hours,” McMillan says.
