Interested in selling into the fast-growing Chinese market? Want to understand how to do business in China? These valuable insights, along with the chance to connect directly with Chinese buyers, will be the focus at Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) 5th annual Fresh Connections: China March 15-17 at The Westin Bund Center Hotel in Shanghai. The event will gather members from across the fresh produce supply chain for networking, education, business roundtable sessions and a market tour in the Shanghai area.
“PMA Fresh Connections: China’s premier goal is to help attendees create long-term sales opportunities to grow business in the China market,” said Mabel Zhuang, PMA China market development representative. “With recent structural changes establishing favorable circumstances for fresh produce trade in China, Fresh Connections: China will be essential for international companies looking to keep pace with trends as they work to open and develop markets in China.”
Zhuang will explore these key changes and trends during her session “China Market Overview,” which will open the education portion of the event on March 16. Other in-depth education sessions will cover changing world politics and trade, success in China’s small retail stores, and innovation in major fruits grown in or imported into China. Consumer-related topics will look at the growing demand for transparency and online and in-store branding to attract customers. Confirmed speakers include:
- He Chun Lei, CEO of Tmall Fresh, Alibaba Group;
- Peter Zhu, general manager of commodity center, Shenzhen Pagoda Orchard Industry Development Co., Ltd. (Pagoda);
- Elliott Grant, president and CEO, ShopWell Labs, Inc.; and
- Jose Antonio Gomez Bazan, CEO, Camposol S.A.
PMA Fresh Connections: China will provide a small, intimate setting for produce industry members to not only connect to relevant, local market information and globally recognized best practices, but also to connect to each other through numerous networking opportunities. In addition, optional business roundtable meetings on March 15 will link Chinese buyers with global suppliers through a series of 10-minute, face-to-face discussions. Separate registration is required. Buyers confirmed to date include:
- China Resources Vanguard Co., Ltd.
- Fruitday Co., Ltd.
- Mr. Fresh (Alibaba Group)
- Tmall Fresh (Alibaba Group)
- Pagoda
- Yonghui Superstores
The event concludes March 17 with an optional tour of local wholesale markets and retail stores. Separate registration required; seating is limited. Highlights among the tour stops include:
- Exfresh, a fresh produce logistics platform providing a look at Chinese e-commerce operations;
- Hema Fresh, an emerging supermarket chain of Alibaba that blends online convenience with the brick-and-mortar shopping experience;
- Olé Supermarket Store, a luxury Chinese supermarket chain with special focus on imported fruits from around the world;
- Pagoda, an innovative fruit chain store; and
- Traditional “wet” market, which sells fresh produce and meats and are found in every Chinese neighborhood.
Find PMA Fresh Connections: China schedule, education descriptions and registration online at www.pma.com/events/fresh-connections-china. The event is open to PMA members and prospective members; PMA members receive registration discount.
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