WORKSHOP SERIES I
FRIDAY, OCT. 2, 2:45-4 P.M.
How the “New Washington” Can Impact Your Business
ROOM 213 BC
Explore new legislative and regulatory initiatives to learn the effects they will have on the produce industry.
TOM O'BRIEN, principal, O'Brien DC
ANTHONY BARBIERI, director of produce, Acme Markets
JULIE PARADIS, administrator, U.S. Department of Agriculture
JIN JU WILDER, president, Coast Produce Co.
MARK GIVENS, director of sales, HMC-The Lunch Bunch
Produce Traceability Initiative: Implementation of Best Practices
Learn the latest developments, best practices and operational tips related to the PTI.
ROOM 213 D
JIM CORBY, VP, produce merchandising, Food Lion
GARY FLEMING, VP, standards and technology, PMA
TOM CASAS, VP, IT and mechanization, Tanimura and Antle
MIKE O'BRIEN, VP, produce and floral, Schnuck Markets
Win-Win: The Power of Positive Negotiation with Ron Shapiro
ROOM 304 AB
Author Ron Shapiro offers a systematic approach to negotiation and building positive business relationships.
MARTY CRANER, owner and president, B+C Fresh Sales
RONALD M. SHAPIRO, co-founder and chairman, Shapiro Negotiations Institute
Global Economy Part 1: What in the World Is Going On Out There?
ROOM 304 CD
Economist Jeffrey Rosensweig analyzes the current state of the global economy, examines how the produce supply chain has been affected, and predicts the near-term impact of these changes.
TATE MATHISON, apple sweets sales manager, Stemilt
JEFF ROSENSWEIG, global economic forecaster and business strategy expert, Emory University
Increasing Floral Profits in the New Economy: How to Do More With Less
ROOM 211 B
This interactive session explores strategies and techniques to increase profitability throughout the floral supply chain.
CHRIS JACOBS, managing director, Keepsake Plants
BEN PAULEY, executive VP, grocery division, FTD
MICHAEL SCHRADER, floral director, Schnuck Markets
Breakfast General Session
Saturday, Oct. 3, 7:30-9:20 a.m.
A Fresh Outlook on the State of the Industry
ROOM LEVEL 3 BALLROOMS A-E
(note: Foodservice only available until 7:55)
PMA President Bryan Silbermann discusses the global economy, as well as private labeling, the ROI of sustainability, the potential global water crisis, food safety, locally grown foods and other trends in his annual State of the Industry address.
DAVE CORSI, VP, produce and floral operations, Wegmans
WILLIAM M. SCHULER, president and CEO, Castellini Co.
BRYAN SILBERMANN, president and CEO, PMA
WORKSHOP SERIES II
SATURDAY, OCT. 3, 9:35-10:50 A.M.
Overcoming DataBar Confusion
ROOM 211 A
Learn the benefits and challenges of transitioning to GS1 DataBar barcodes.
Gary Fleming, VP, sales and technology, PMA
Eric Skiles, IT manager, Domex Superfresh Growers
Bill Hallier, president and CEO, Sinclair Systems International
Interpreting & Predicting Floral Trends to Maximize Sales
ROOM 211 B
Explore new information on trends and consumer buying habits gathered with PMA's Floral Market Watch tools.
TOM LAVAGETTO, VP, Temkin Style Solutions
Food Safety Innovations: What's New and What Does It Really Mean?
ROOM 212 A
Learn from experts at the Center for Produce Safety and PMA about the latest food safety research and how it can be incorporated into your business.
BOB WHITAKER, chief science officer, PMA
BONNIE FERNANDEZ, exec. director, Center for Produce Safety
ASTRI WAYADANDA, assistant professor, Oklahoma State U.
LINDA HARRIS, associate director, Western Institute for Food Safety and Security
STEVE KOIKE, plant pathology, farm advisor, Monterey County Extension
National Fruit & Vegetable Research & Promotion Board Town Hall
ROOM 213 BC
Industry leaders discuss the Produce For Better Health Foundation's proposal to create a new National Fruit and Vegetable Promotion Board
BRUCE TAYLOR, president and CEO, Taylor Fresh Farms
RICK ANTLE, president and CEO, Tanimura and Antle
HARRY M. KAISER, Gellert Family Professor of applied economics and management, Cornell University
ROBERT KEENEY, deputy administrator, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture
PAUL KLUTES, director, brand sales, C.H. Robinson Worldwide
MAUREEN TORREY MARSHALL, CEO, Torrey Farms
FRANK RUPPEN, president, Forward Associates
Locally Grown Produce & Profits: How They Go Hand in Hand
ROOM 213 D
This presentation and panel discussion explains the trends behind the locally grown produce movement, and explains how retails can use local produce to create a competitive advantage.
LORNA CHRISTIE, COO, PMA
MAURICE TOTTY, director of procurement, Food Buy
DR. ELLIOT GRANT, founder and chief marketing officer, HarvestMark
SIMON RICHARD, produce and floral buyer, Bi-Rite Market
Produce Marketing Part 1: Marketing to the New Cost-Conscious Consumer
ROOM 304 AB
Examine the recent shifts in consumer shopping behavior as people adjust to the down economy. Learn which patterns will remain after the economy rebounds, and how to adapt to these new trends.
DAN JOHNSON, director, produce procurement, The Kroger Co.
LINDA COX, senior account executive, The Hartman Group
Global Economy 2: How The World's Economy Affects the Produce Industry and Your Business
ROOM 304 CD
Learn about changes in the global economy that are directly impacting the produce industry, and what changes are on the horizon.
CHARLES OLINS, VP, sales and marketing, Concord Foods
WORKSHOP SERIES III
SUNDAY, OCT. 4, 9:15-10:45 A.M.
Harness the Power Of Social Media
ROOM 304 AB
Learn how businesses are using social media like Twitter, YouTube, MySpace and Facebook to develop relationships with customers and drive sales.
SCOTT KLOSOSKY, founder and chairman, iThryv
Food Safety & the Environment: A Delicate Balancing Act
ROOM 211 A
Explore food safety solutions that strike a balance between food safety and environmental concerns.
HANK GICLAS, VP, science and technology, Western Growers Assoc.
The Global Politics of Water
ROOM 212 A
This session explores the politics of water, looks at how water supplies are impacting the produce industry globally, and examines new water management techniques for the future.
Robert Nugan, managing director, Fresh Produce Group
Maude Barlow, senior advisor on water, United Nations
Be the Leader Others Follow
ROOM 213 BC
Learn the key leadership competencies that produce companies are looking for now, based on industry research in this presentation and panel discussion.
CINDY SEEL, executive director, PMA Foundation for Industry Talent
KEVIN O'CONNER, president/founder, Kevin O'Conner and Assoc.
DAVID KRAUSE, president, Paramount Citrus Association
KEVIN M. DELANEY, director, corporate sustainability and productivity, Procacci Bros. Sales Corp.
Finding the ROI of Sustainability
ROOM 213 D
Discover proven methods for defining and measuring your sustainability program, and how learn how to maximize your efforts to increase profits and expand market share in this presentation and panel discussion.
KATHY MEANS, VP, government relations and public affairs, PMA
JEFF DLOTT, president and CEO, SureHarvest
BLAIR RICHARDSON, CEO, FreshSense
TINA FITZGERALD, director of produce and social accountability, Independent Purchasing Co-op
NELSON LONGNECKER, VP, bus. innovation, Four Seasons Produce
Prod. Marketing Part 2: New Strategies for a New Economy
ROOM 304 CD
Learn the marketing and merchandising techniques that are being used to capitalize on the shift in consumer attitudes toward price, quality, value and convenience.
STEVE LUTZ, executive VP, Perishables Group
ROBERTA COOK, extension marketing economist, Department of Resources and Ag Economics, University of California
GREG CALISTRO, director of produce, Save Mart Supermarkets
STACEY LARSON, founder and owner, Consumer Effects