ATLANTA, GA - The final count is in and according to the numbers, the 66th Annual PMA Fresh Summit Expo was the best one yet.

Here’s the breakdown in case you didn’t make it to Atlanta, Georgia:

Attendance

With 19,332 attendees coming in from 63 countries, Atlanta, GA saw record shattering numbers as the produce industry converged on the 267,400 net square foot Georgia World Congress Center from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25.

Buyer numbers hit 3,380, the highest for the East Coast in four years according to the PMA, with 1,060 exhibiting companies.

The kickoff included the ever-influential Women’s Fresh Perspective Conference with Jenny Evans, internationally recognized expert on stress, exercise physiology, nutrition, and performance, who got everybody moving and talking about the strong and weak points of their productivity.

Later that day, Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms, received the Robert L. Carey Leadership Award.

One of the key highlights of the event for those of us that attended was the opening reception, where many of us were fascinated by the stars of the largest aquarium in the western hemisphere, the Georgia Aquarium. Not only was there good food, new friends made, and old friends reunited, but several beautiful marine exhibits to explore.

And then it began! The entire show was a mix of innovations, new products, educational segments, networking opportunities, and (of course) the chance for everyone in the industry to have some fun.

Numerous educational workshops ranging from technology in the industry to how colors can factor into customer appeal, running all day to give everyone an opportunity to learn. But, of course, there were certain titles and awards that took place to acknowledge some of the latest in the industry.

Product and Booth Awards

Hundreds of items and booths were entered, but only a few could win. Here are the companies that stood out to the judges:

• Best of Show, in-line booth went to Kitchen22.
• Best of Show, island booth went to Litehouse.
• Best New Product Launch went to Evolution Fresh.
• Best First-Time Exhibitor was awarded to Meshdecor.

Impact Award Winners

The Excellence in Packaging Impact Awards are a global industry competition. Of this year’s 71 entries from 57 companies, the below walked with the title:

• Botanical Food Company Inc./Gourmet Garden's Lightly Dried Herbs & Spices

• Mann Packing's Company Culinary Cuts®

• Mucci Farms' Hot Shots Mixed Hot Peppers Re-sealable Tray with Cardboard Pocket Sleeve

• Naturipe Farms, LLC's "On-the-Go" Fresh Blueberry Blends

• Ocean Mist Farms' Season & Steam Kalettes

Morning breakfasts hosted technological and business pioneers Guy Kawasaki, Silicon Valley Marketing Executive and one of the Apple originals, and Mike Walsh, author of the book Dangerous Ideas, before everyone went down to the floors to mingle and see all the latest in the industry.

“It’s always great to be part of such a World Class event that brings together the entire industry from all parts of the globe,” Mimmo Franzone, Director of Produce and Floral for Longo’s, tells me. “Thanks PMA for another well put on Fresh Summit!! See you in Orlando!”

It was an exciting event, and it will be interesting to see how PMA can top it at next year’s Fresh Summit Convention, slated for Oct. 14 through 16, 2016, in Orlando, FL. But for now, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more in-depth highlights from this produce event.

PMA