MISSION, TX- Show season is hitting its stride, and the industry is already planning out its social calendar. Those penciling in the highly anticipated 2022 Viva Fresh Expo will make note that the show has announced its first keynote speaker: Dave McGillivray.

“Inspiration comes in many forms, including that of cautionary tales and Dave’s story is just that,” remarked Dante Galeazzi, Chief Executive Officer and President of Texas International Produce Association, the association which is responsible for hosting Viva Fresh. “To hear firsthand from a dedicated athlete how he found his way to health eating and had to change his lifestyle to include more fruits and vegetables is a reminder to us all that no one is immune, and we all need to find the clean eating balance in a stressful life.”

Although McGillivray might not be a household name to the average American, your knowledge of the Boston Marathon means you may know his work even if you don’t know his name. According to a press release, he served since 1988 as the Technical and Race Director of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, and is an athlete, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, philanthropist, and author. He’s also a survivor of triple bypass heart surgery.

“Dave will share his triumphs and defeats and there is no doubt his stories, sage advice, and the motivation that he bestows as he recounts his journey through terrorism, COVID, and a life-saving surgery is something that will ring clear and be a highlight of our keynote luncheon while inspiring everyone to dream big and finish strong,” Galeazzi continued.

From the beginning, the Viva Fresh steering committee committed to sharing the message of healthy eating and the power of fresh fruits and vegetables. There is no better person to champion those messages than this world class athlete, who by his own account did not commit to eating healthy until he was faced with a major health crisis and recovery that was a product of both his genetics and poor eating habits.

As an athlete, McGillivray has logged more than 150,000 miles, completed 164 marathons, is a nine-time competitor in the Ironman Triathlon World Championship and has been inducted into the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame, not to mention has completed a coast-to-coast run for charity. As the release noted, his proudest accomplishment is the fact that he and his company, DMSE, have raised more than $200 million for various charities over the past 40 years.

McGillivray’s experience extends far beyond his athletic achievements, with unique skills in business, logistics, and problem solving that he shares in stories about the moments, hours, and days in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing the challenges of pivoting to new business models during a pandemic.

Book your tickets now to see Dave McGillivray at Viva Fresh, held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, on April 21–23, 2022.

Texas International Produce Association