PMA expo will be largest ever

Produce Marketing Association's 2016 Fresh Summit Convention & Expo, scheduled Oct. 14-16, should feature more than 1,100 exhibitors, making it the largest Fresh Summit Expo to date.

This year's event will be hosted at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., according to a news release.

Exhibitors will have 300,000 square feet to show off fresh, new products and business ideas. PMA organized the event's content into "communities of interest," which will help attendees associate with those who share their interests. Those communities are science & technology, industry talent, floral, issues leadership, and global connections.

"Fresh Summit delivers a powerful global experience," said Scott Olson, vice president of produce and floral at Grocery Outlet, Inc., in the release.

"It can also have a community atmosphere that invites people to connect, whatever their interests are." Olson is also the committee chair for PMA's Fresh Summit.

Sixteen workshops are planned, with topics such as developing effective marketing strategies to increase consumption, demonstrating best food safety practices, and using technology to increase transparency.

In addition to the workshops, several community networking receptions will be offered.

Once again, floral industry attendees can expect floral-specific workshops, buyer roundtables, an industry networking reception and a floral pavilion on the expo floor.

The general session will feature speakers from around the world discussing innovation and personal branding, as well as the annual PMA State of the Industry address.