ANAHEIM, CA - It goes without saying but, of course I will, because what is a trade news writer without words—the excitement around this year's PMA Fresh Summit was palpable. It is as if that wave of innovation, of progressive ideas around sustainability and social responsibility, came to a critical mass that overflowed onto the show floor this year.

With nearly 24,000 attendees driving the demand for excellence in fresh produce, this was one Fresh Summit not to be missed. With so much buzz carrying over into this week, we reached out to some of our industry friends for their takes on the show and what stood out for them in Anaheim.

Julie Olivarria, Vice President of Produce, Sysco

“I thought the show this year was outstanding! I loved seeing representation from all of the different countries and segments of the industry as well as all of our core suppliers. Fresh Summit is so impactful because it is the biggest industry event of the year and affords us the opportunity to connect with our suppliers and customers face to face.”

Nicole Hulstein, Fruit Category Manager, Food Lion

“The State of the Industry conversation was robust, informative, and motivating to continue the innovation driving our industry. On top of that, the educational sessions on data/science technology, global trade, and talent management were relevant and timely conversations that I was eager to engage with. Emerging trends in varieties, packaging, and supply chain opportunities have been discovered during the expo and this year’s Fresh Summit did not disappoint!"

Mark Munger, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, 4Earth Farms

"We always attend Fresh Summit, but this was our first year exhibiting, so we had an entirely different experience. We planned to meet with a large number of customers and suppliers, yet the show completely exceeded our expectations! The hall was packed with high-quality decision makers and we stayed consistently busy both days of the exposition. My favorite part of the show, however, was visiting the large number of engaged college students. I continue to be very thankful to the Center for Growing Talent for their tireless efforts to bring students to the Fresh Summit. They are our future!"

Gabriela D’Arrigo, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, D'Arrigo Bros. of New York

“PMA manages to become more and more impactful each year that we attend. As the industry continues to advance and change, the members are right there with it, and PMA is there to support all along the way. Collaboration is key for the future success of our industry, and if the show is any indication of how our futures look, I’d say it’s pretty bright.”

Julie DeWolf, Director of Retail Marketing, Sunkist Growers

“I’ve been attending Fresh Summit for 15 years and both the energy and attendance were at an all-time high for 2019. There was so much traffic, a fantastic lineup of speakers and education, and amazing networking opportunities. Nearly every customer we do business with was there, which is a testament to PMA’s influence in our industry. We’re proud to support them in driving the consumption and innovation that make fresh produce increasingly relevant and exciting to consumers worldwide.”

Fiona McLean, Marketing Manager, DelFrescoPure®

“This year’s PMA Fresh Summit was an incredible experience for our team. Introducing new commodities and packaging concepts to our current and new customers at PMA is invaluable to DelFrescoPure®.”

We would love to hear your thoughts on this year's PMA Fresh Summit, so drop us a line or shoot us an email. And rest up, my friends—if possible, that is!

Produce Marketing Association