The Texas International Produce Association’s Viva Fresh Expo, cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will be a hybrid in-person and virtual event.
The show, March 26-27 at the Gaylord Texas Resort in Grapevine, Texas, will feature its traditional trade show, golf tournament, reception and buyer speed meetings, but other events are shifting online before the show. That includes the Clean Eating Challenge, education sessions, In Bloom women’s event and the Aggies for Fresh mentor program.
Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of TIPA, announced the switch to a hybrid event Oct. 1.
“The reality of the decision to move forward with a hybrid model was not taken lightly and we recognize and respect the choices and challenges before our attendees,” according to Galeazzi’s e-mailed letter.
“Following months of internal discussions and planning, as well as extensive polling of exhibitors and retail-foodservice attendees, our findings suggested there was not only the ability but also a strong preference to move forward with certain in-person experiences (with an emphasis on safety) yet balancing the concerns of today’s world by providing content and engagement opportunities in the on-line space as well.”
There will be a limit on the number of participants from each company in Grapevine, according to the letter, but that limit was not included.
There will be more information on Viva Fresh soon, according to the e-mail, including in-person vs. online events, sponsorship opportunities and safety features for attendees.
Updates will be posted regularly at the Viva Fresh website, vivafreshexpo.com.
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