ORLANDO, Fla. — Shrugging off worries about the potential disruptive effects of Hurricane Matthew, the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit 2016 set a new East Coast attendance record.
Coming about a week after Hurricane Matthew lashed parts of Florida, the Oct. 14-16 convention and expo drew more than 1,200 exhibitors and 20,889 attendees from 65 countries, according to a news release.
The Fresh Summit expo featured a sold out Floral Pavilion and a record 166 first-time exhibitors, according to the release.
“It’s been an incredible Fresh Summit in Orlando, from the education session to the networking receptions and obviously to the expo,” Cathy Burns, president of PMA, said Oct. 16 “The energy is fantastic and there is a great balance between buyers and suppliers and service providers.”
Exhibitors said they were pleased with the show.
“Saturday (Oct. 15) was fantastic. It was slammed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.”
Karen Caplan, president and CEO of Frieda’s Inc., Los Alamitos, Calif., said Oct. 16. “Today’s a little quieter, but we have had five or six of our largest clients come by and spend time with us.”
She said the less intense traffic on Oct. 16 allowed more time to visit with buyers.
PMA officials said the 2016 show was the largest Fresh Summit ever, taking up more than 300,000 net square feet.
“It’s been a great show for us,” said Seth Pemsler, vice president of retail merchandising and international for the Idaho Potato Commission, Eagle. “It hasn’t been mob traffic, but it has been fairly steady traffic, and to a degree that helps.”
With the schedule shifting to a Thursday-to-Saturday format, Fresh Summit 2017 is set for Oct. 19-21 in New Orleans, according to the release. PMA leaders said the move is in response to member feedback.
Fresh Summit 2016 had several moments to recognize PMA CEO Bryan Silbermann, who plans to retire from the association at the end of January.
Four exhibitor booths were chosen by a panel of industry experts for “best of show,” according to the release:
- Best in-line booth, Veggie Noodle Co.;
- Best island booth, Gems Group Inc.;
- Best produce promotion, Mastronardi Produce for the Dill-it-yourself Pickle Kit; and
- Best first-time exhibitor, ArizonaEast.
— By Tom Karst
