PMA Fresh Summit and record setting Expo spotlight innovation

Innovation will take center stage at Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) refreshed 2018 Fresh Summit Convention and Expo when it convenes in less than two weeks (October 18-20) in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Attendees will learn about industry-altering trends from big voices during the revamped convention – including Wired magazine Editor in Chief Greg Williams – while the expo is now a record setter, displaying new products and ideas along every aisle and row.

Disruption is often a catalyst for innovation, and no one knows this better than Wired’s Williams. A leading global voice on transformative trends and how they impact business and society, Williams will lead the Fresh Summit Forum for the Future, “Today’s Disruptions, Tomorrow’s Opportunities”, on Thursday, Oct. 18.

He will moderate a conversation with disruptive innovators who will discuss trends and opportunities expected to bring big change to our industry, challenging attendees to rethink their business to capitalize on that change and come out stronger as a result.

Williams is the third big voice announced to speak at Fresh Summit’s four new Forums for the Future, along with PMA CEO Cathy Burns and two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Peyton Manning.

These four forums – three on Thursday, and one on Friday – will feature four big voices from inside and outside our industry, talking about four big topics that are important to our industry. These large sessions are designed to bring together the fresh produce and floral community from across the supply chain to engage, be inspired and return to your businesses motivated.

Cathy Burns, CEO of the Produce Marketing Association:

“This year’s Fresh Summit is designed around bold, new innovations, and Greg’s discussion will reflect that.”

“Attendees will gain a better understanding of ‘what’s coming around the corner’ in our industry, and how they can prepare professionally and personally for it.”

Buyers look to expo for industry edge

This year’s Fresh Summit attendees from around the globe can expect to find more in the way of ideas and inspiration at this year’s largest expo ever, featuring more than 1,200 exhibiting companies displaying over 330,000+ net square feet.

Paul Kneeland of retailer Gelson’s Markets:

“I walk every aisle and every row of the expo floor every year, with one goal in mind: to find innovation.”

“Whether I’m looking to experience what’s new in the industry or looking to fulfill a specific need for my business, I know I’ll leave the Fresh Summit floor with plenty of both.”

This year’s expo will feature a plethora of newness:

• The Fresh Ideas Showcase, located just outside the expo, will give a preview of what you can find on the show floor, with sections highlighting kid-friendly, on-the-go, organic and floral products and services.


• With over 125 first-time exhibitors, many of which are in the First-Time Exhibitors Pavilion, there will be plenty of new and exciting ideas on the show floor this year.


• See a preview of the new ideas and products exhibitors will be bringing to the show by visiting the digital press room.


• Floral buyers and sellers will gather in the expanded Floral Marketplace that is designed to meet the growing needs of mass-market floral buyers and sellers.

Good news to those looking for a little extra time to see what’s new on the expo floor, this year the floor will be open an extra hour, until 6:00 pm on Friday, Oct. 19.