Global Produce & Floral Show attendees say networking tops the list of benefits

The chance to network with thousands of other fresh produce and floral professionals is the biggest draw of the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show.

That’s the verdict of an informal poll of more than 80 members of the LinkedIn Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group.

When given the prompt, “I expect the best part of the upcoming IFPA Global trade show will be ...,” 77% said “networking,” 17% said “seeing new innovations,” 5% said “education sessions” and 1% said “other.”

With 1,040 exhibitors listed for the Oct. 19-21 event in Anaheim, Calif., as of Sept. 21, the opportunities for connection are plentiful.

The Packer asked marketers what they are hoping to accomplish at the show this year.

The IFPA show presents a unique value to exhibitors, said Marissa Ritter, marketing manager for Naturipe (booth No. 3175).

“While Naturipe has a presence at dozens of trade shows throughout the year, IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show provides one of the best opportunities for us to connect directly with retail customers and continue to build upon our strong relationships with them,” Ritter said. “You can’t put a price on that.”

Ritter said the 2023 event will be the first time the show is back in full force in California since the pandemic.

“The turnout last year was incredible, as it was the first time we were all able to be in person together, and the energy was electrifying,” Ritter said. “I’m expecting the same this year in the Golden State.”

Ritter said Naturipe Farms’ main focus this year is showcasing new and innovative products.

“We work hard to consistently provide the highest level of service to our customers, and our fresh berries and value-added offerings are going to show that, while also delighting consumers,” she said.

Active and consistent retail attendance make IFPA’s global show worthwhile, said Michelle Deleissegues, vice president of marketing for Gem-Pack Berries LLC, Irvine, Calif., a leading grower-shipper of fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries — both organic and conventional.

For IFPA 2023, the focus of Gem-Pack Berries (booth No. 1985) will be on the integration of its new partner, Well-Pict Berries.

“IFPA is the first opportunity to showcase our unified staff, growers and product lines,” Deleissegues said.

Buyer attendance and buyer presence on the show floor make the IFPA show very valuable, said Cindy Jewell, vice president of marketing for Bobalu Berries, Oxnard, Calif.

Jewell said Bobalu (booth No. 3069) is promoting the marketer’s year-round production of fresh berries from California due to two crop seasons in each region. 

“At the time of the IFPA show, we will be entering peak fall berry season and will have planted our 2024 crop,” Jewell said. “We look forward to finalizing promotional plans with key customers at this annual show.”

At the show, Bobalu will display smaller pack configurations for some of its fall fruit this year.

“This is a customer-specific, special pack that keeps retail pricing competitive for consumers to help drive strawberry sales during fall berry season when pricing for the one- and two-pound containers are typically higher,” Jewell said. “Customer-specific programs like this are key to maintaining and building long-term partnerships as Bobalu Berry Farms continues to expand in the future.”

Company officials with Watsonville, Calif.-based Driscoll’s (booth No. 2260) are most excited about launching a new 40-foot-by-40-foot trade show booth, said Alicia Weber, events manager.

“We’re equally excited to share a new 2.5-pound strawberry box, made for heavy consumers who want less packaging,” she said. “This product offers merchandising versatility for the retailer in a sustainable paper pack.”

Contacting customers and learning what kinds of challenges Kwik Lok (booth No. 3331) can help them with make IFPA a good return on investment, said Karen Reed, global director of marketing and communications for the Yakima, Wash.-based company.

Kwik Lok, an industry leader in bag closing solutions, will be sharing its new Enviro-Lok at the show.

“Enviro-Lok is a brand-new closure made from polypropylene that helps customers take steps to meet their sustainability goals,” Reed said. “It is made with 34% less plastic, 67% less water and 44% less carbon. We will also be showing our Enviro-Lok label, which is made from polypropylene and removes the need for adhesives.”

Mark Hoppenjans, vice president of sales and sustainable business for Collinsville, Ill.-based Sev-Rend (booth No. 3517), said company officials are looking forward to meeting with retail executives and produce suppliers to address retailer-driven sustainability initiatives that will be required of producers in 2025.

“Sev-Rend will introduce new cost-effective materials that meet retailer guidelines for 2025, but we need to start working now,” he said. “Each retailer is driving a percentage of recycled content to their produce suppliers without significant cost increases. Sev-Rend is rolling out our products to specifically meet Aldi, Albertsons, Walmart, Costco, Ahold Delhaize and Loblaws specs for 2025.”

“The California Avocado Commission is eagerly anticipating our participation at the upcoming IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show that will take place in Southern California, the heart of our growing region,” said Jeff Oberman, president of the California Avocado Commission. “We look forward to engaging with customer partners as well as California avocado packers and growers who plan to attend. 

“Commission staff and members from our board of directors will be on hand to greet attendees at our booth (No. 2839) to share insight from the 2023 season and provide a glimpse into our exciting plans for the coming year,” he said.

Networking, exploring new partnerships and presenting new items will be IFPA expo highlights, said Sean Steller director of business development for Kennett Square, Pa.-based Phillips Mushroom Farms (booth No. 4539).