With less than one month to go before the third annual Organic Produce Summit, organizers are touting a 30 percent increase in attendance, including over 250 retail buyers participating in the only event dedicated exclusively to bringing together producers and buyers of the organic fresh produce industry. OPS 2018 will be held July 11-12 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, CA.
The two day OPS kicks off with retailer/buyer tours at five of the nations’ leading organic fresh produce companies and follows with a series of educational sessions and keynote presentations focused on the opportunities, challenges and look into the future of organic fresh produce. The event concludes with a sold-out exhibition featuring 130 organic fresh produce growers, shippers and processors networking with retailers, wholesalers and buyers from across North America.
“As we head into our final month before the show, it’s been very gratifying to see the growth of the show and the continued support of our attendees and the industry as a whole,” said Susan Canales, President of OPS. “Participation from the retail and buying communities is tremendous and our educational program is second to none. OPS provides all attendees with the right balance of education, information, and networking. We hear all the time that OPS is an event where contacts are made, and deals are done. We’re excited to make this year’s OPS the best yet.”
(left to right): Dan Buettner, Geoff White, and Susan Canales
The OPS 2018 educational program will feature six sessions on a range of issues related to organic fresh produce. The sessions include:
- “Deep Dive - Organic Sales Analysis and the Why Behind the Buy”
- “Organics and the Media – New Landscape of Information”
- "The Organic Supply Chain I & II – Opportunities and Challenges”
- "E-Grocery and the Future of Organic Fresh Produce at Retail”
- “Organic Ingredients – Creating New Opportunities in the Produce Department”
The educational sessions will be followed by two keynote presentations featuring Dan Buettner, noted journalist, and discoverer of Blue Zones; and Geoff White, President of OWN Brands.
The keynotes will conclude with the Retailer Roundtable, featuring panelists Roger Harkrider, director of produce for Meijer; Ron McCormick, senior director of global produce sourcing at Wal Mart Stores, Inc; and Randy Riley, director of produce merchandising for Kroger. Tonya Antle, co-founder of the Organic Produce Network (OPN), will serve as moderator for the Retailer Roundtable.
Featuring candid commentary and thought-provoking discussion, the Retailer Roundtable will highlight how each retailer incorporates organic fresh produce in their operations, as well as their analysis on the challenges, opportunities and future of the multi-billion-dollar organic fresh produce industry.
Canales said registration for the event will remain open until show dates, with same-day on-site registration also available.
For more information:
Matt Seeley
Organic Produce Summit
Tel: +1 (831) 884-5058