Bold and beautiful: SEPC ready to explore new frontiers at Southern Exposure 2023

Aiming to provide an out-of-this-world experience, the Southeast Produce Council is preparing for this year’s Southern Exposure. Its flagship trade show and conference, to be held at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., March 2-4, will feature the theme, “Produce: The Final Frontier.”

SEPC’s Southern Exposure mission? “To boldly go where no produce association has gone before.”

Expect to “see the best products and services the produce industry has to offer from hundreds of exhibitors,” says SEPC, which is expecting thousands of attendees, including foodservice and retail buyers, agricultural leaders, product innovators and other industry stakeholders.

“The industry should attend because the SEPC brings in the key decision-makers from across the country and Canada that represent the majority of retail, foodservice and wholesale companies,” said Andrew Scott, vice president of business development and marketing for Nickey Gregory Co., Forest Park, Ga. Scott is also on the board of governors of the SEPC as well as a member of three SEPC committees.

Scott invites attendees to visit booth #1017, where the Nickey Gregory Co. will be showcasing its line of fresh-cut and processed items as well as its wholesale services. Nickey Gregory’s processing division, Family Fresh Foods, turns 5 years old in 2023.

“We like this intimate expo because we can visit with a lot of our vendor partners and customers under one setting,” said Scott, who added the company will be looking to make new connections with customers and vendors within its 10-state delivery radius from Atlanta.

Southern Exposure also includes educational sessions, keynote speakers and entertainment.

For Katiana Valdes, marketing director for Miami-based Crystal Valley Foods, this combination — along with the size of the show — is a winning one.

“SEPC Southern Exposure has always been a great show. From the opening gala to the expo floor, SEPC puts on a great event, and it is intimate enough that you are able to meet with many customers and colleagues.

“It typically attracts a good amount of buyers, and it’s a good time to meet with our customers as we start the new year,” she added.

Valdes also sees the timing of SEPC as advantageous.

“Winter and spring are always a great time of year to promote many of our imported items, like asparagus, which we start sourcing from Caborca, [Mexico]; French beans; snows; sugar snap peas; baby carrots; blueberries; and blackberries,” she said.

At Southern Exposure, Crystal Valley Foods will be at booth #601, where it plans to showcase its value-added items, including an 8-ounce microwaveable baby broccoli and microwaveable Brussels sprouts as well as its tropicals and ethnic items, many of which now come in an easily scannable, retail-friendly clamshell, Valdes said.

“We continue to grow and innovate, and we are focused on investing in the future,” she added.

Southern Exposure’s mix of expo and events is also a draw for Dan Davis, director of business development for Starr Ranch Growers, which will be at booth #1037.

“The events throughout the week encourage mixing in an environment that encourages dialogue between all of us. We have conversations there that we don’t get to have the bulk of the year,” Davis said.

The historically well-attended show is another reason Davis sees value in exhibiting.

“SEPC is one of our focal shows due to the fantastic attendance. It really helps us check so many boxes in one week and get us in the same spot as most of the folks that can help us get our product out to consumers,” he said. “It’s simply a must-attend show for us.”

Location. Location. Location.

While Southern Exposure attracts a produce audience from across the country and beyond, Robin Narron, marketing director and sales support for Nash Produce, sees the event’s East Coast positioning as ideal.

“SEPC shows are always a treat for Nash Produce as it allows us to connect in person with customers from all over the country, but more specifically, those located in the eastern United States. We hope to connect with buyers to see how we can best suit their needs,” Narron said.

At Southern Exposure, Nash Produce will be at booth #523.

“Members of our team will be available to not only talk about who we are and what we can offer, but also show a sample of the quality of sweet potatoes you can expect from our facility,” Narron said. “We will be bringing the Mr. Yam family to the show, which includes bagged, individually wrapped and microwave-friendly petite steamable pouches and loose North Carolina-grown and -harvested sweet potatoes.”

Florida flourishes

What message does the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services hope to convey at SEPC?

“Florida produces more than 300 commodities, ranking first in the U.S. production value of oranges, fresh market tomatoes and watermelon, and second in the production value of strawberries in 2020,” said Aaron Keller, FDACS communications director.

“Florida is also the first state to distribute fresh produce in the winter and spring, including the earliest domestic crop of strawberries, blueberries, sweet corn and watermelon,” he added.

Southern Exposure is also an opportunity for FDACS to showcase its many Fresh From Florida produce on its home turf.

“The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values the opportunity to promote our state’s wide selection of ‘Fresh From Florida’ fruits and vegetables to retail and foodservice buyers at the SEPC Southern Exposure conference,” Keller said. “The ‘Fresh From Florida’ brand is well established in Southeast markets, and the region has been a longstanding supporter of Florida agriculture.

“We look forward to meeting with industry leaders, forming new and strengthening existing partnerships at this important industry event,” he added.

Southern Exposure attendees seeking to learn more about sourcing Florida produce or retail promotional opportunities can visit the Fresh From Florida booth #1133.