ATLANTA — Tim Youmans traveled more than 2,400-miles cross-country for the fresh produce industry’s biggest annual trade show and found it well worthwhile.
“This has been a busy day,” Youmans said Oct. 15 from the exhibition hall floor at Fresh Summit 2011. “We’re seeing all the retailers, wholesalers, foodservice operators and export customers. It’s been a very active show.”
Youmans, vice president of sales with Watsonville, Calif.-based Driscoll Strawberry Associates Inc., was among several exhibitors who said they were pleased with the turnout and potential business generated by the conference, Oct. 14-17 at the Georgia World Congress Center.
2011 Fresh Summit flashback bonus — PMA, United Fresh discuss merger
More than 18,000 people from more than 65 countries attended, drawing a similar crowd to the 2010 show in Orlando, Fla., according to the Newark, Del.-based Produce Marketing Association.
PMA president Bryan Silbermann, in his state of the industry speech on Oct. 15, urged the industry to step up food safety efforts and increase use of social media to promote fruit and vegetable consumption.
The produce association touted an updated logo, with a “Let’s Grow” slogan and the launch of PMA Exchange (www.pma.com/xchange-intro), a social networking site that the group said will help member companies increase business.
On the Fresh Summit show floor, many of the more than 800 exhibitors spread across 600,000 square feet of space — enough for 10 football fields — offered samples of new products.
John Duffus, director of sales and marketing for The Garlic Co., Bakersfield, Calif., said the conference was an opportunity to reconnect with customers.
“We had a lot of key customers and new business,” he said Oct. 16 at the company’s booth.
Potandon Produce LLC’s Fresh Summit costs totaled about $50,000, and were “absolutely worth it,” said Barbara Keckler, consumer marketing coordinator for the Idaho Falls, Idaho-based potato company.
“It helps us keep up relationships with buyers. This has been one of our best shows.”
Dole communications manager Bil Goldfield said his company spent about $280,000 for its exhibit, which included a giant metal globe propped above a fountain ringed by a rotating fresh fruit display. The exhibit was “packed” during the first day, Goldfield said.
“It’s definitely a financial commitment,” Goldfield said. “But we’re such a big brand, it would be conspicuous if we didn’t have a big exhibit. There is a return, definitely. It’s important for us to be here.”
Next year’s Fresh Summit is scheduled for Oct. 26-29 in Anaheim, Calif.
— By Bruce Blythe and Doug Ohlemeier
