Fresh Produce Association of the Americas Wraps Successful 52nd Nogales Produce Convention and Golf Tournament; Lance Jungmeyer Shares
NOGALES, AZ - You know it’s a party when this group gets together. Between educational sessions, awards, festivities, and a golf tournament that brought out the best of the best, Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) has done it again—celebrating its 52nd Nogales Produce Convention and Golf Tournament.
“It had been a long two years since we last gathered the FPAA family,” said President Lance Jungmeyer. “From the networking to the golf to the education sessions, we received great feedback. We can’t wait to get together again for the FPAA Spring Policy Summit on March 16, 2022.”
The Nogales Produce Convention and Golf Tournament, which ran from November 4–6 at the historic Tubac Golf Resort and Spa, brought together industry members from a range of regions to address the top challenges, opportunities, and milestones within fresh produce today. Welcoming over 400 attendees, representation came from demographics throughout California; Washington, DC; Florida; Iowa; Kansas; New York; Oregon; Tennessee; Texas; and Mexico.
Bringing its best resources to the table, the FPAA kicked off the event with three educational sessions that followed a networking lunch. Each session brought a budding program of information, tools, and insights to the trade table. These sessions included:
- Building Up Arizona, Building Up Your Business: The event featured Juan Ciscomani, Senior Advisor for Regional and International Affairs from the Office of Governor Doug Ducey. Ciscomani shared infrastructural accomplishments for southern Arizona and the strong trade relationship between the United States and Mexico
- Bell Peppers and Squash—A Tale of Two Sectors: This session was presented by Dan Scheitrum, from the University of Arizona. This session provided attendees with the information gathered from a recent study focused on market trends for bell peppers and squash
- FPAA and The Power of Connections: This closing session featured a panel with FPAA members with key roles in national organizations. Panelists included Chris Ciruli, Vice-Chair, National Mango Promotion Board; Board of Directors, United Fresh Produce Association; Sabrina Hallman, Past President of the Arizona Seed Trade Association; Christian Murillo, Vice President, National Watermelon Promotion Board; Craig Slate, Past-Chairman, Texas International Produce Association; Tom Stenzel, President, United Fresh Produce Association; and Leonardo Tarriba, Chairman, Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, Grower-shipper Board at the United Fresh Produce Association
Next in the festivities lineup was the Opening Fiesta. But, before the party kicked off, the FPAA awarded Tom Stenzel with a Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his dedication to the industry. Jungmeyer touched on Stenzel’s contributions to the evolution of the fresh produce industry. These achievements included testifying before Congress on numerous occasions, his work with U.S. regulatory agencies, his involvement with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 leading trade association CEOs, and the United Fresh Start Foundation, according to a press relese.
The second day of the convention kicked off on November 5 where attendees began their morning with golf and joined the 5th Annual Culinary Showcase. This showcase was a culinary experience hosted by the FPAA, the Consulado General de Mexico en Nogales, and Visit Tucson.
The FPAA’s Gala Event and Award Ceremony was the icing on the cake for day two. Walter Ram, Vice President of Food Safety at Giumarra Companies was honored this year with The Pillar of the Industry recognition award, which highlights accomplishments for a member who has exhibited a history of volunteering time, effort, and impactful contributions to support the association and the fresh produce industry, the associated notes.
The final leg of the event wrapped with a second day of golf followed by a FPAA-hosted awards ceremony to announce golf winners for the weekend followed by an outdoor BBQ lunch.
Just in case you missed the event in 2021, FPAA has already announced its dates for next year, so mark your calendars now! The 53rd Annual Nogales Produce Convention and Golf Tournament is currently slated for November 3–5, 2022.
