Four leaders from different segments across the industry have committed to co-chair the United Fresh 2020 Convention & Expo Committee. The event will take place June 16-19, 2020 in San Diego, CA. The 2020 Convention Committee co-chairs include:
- Paul Kneeland, Executive Director, Fresh Foods, Gelson's Markets
- Abby Prior, Vice President of Marketing, BrightFarms
- Matt Roy, Senior Director, Produce, US Foods
- Ben Zamore, Director of International Sales & Service, Atlas Pacific Engineering Company
The United Fresh 2020 Convention & Expo Committee includes 30 members representing an international mix of wholesale, retail and foodservice buyers, grower-shippers, fresh-cut processors and service providers.
“I’m excited to see the United Fresh Convention come to San Diego,” said Kneeland. “This is a great convention city, with all hotels close to the convention center overlooking the beautiful San Diego waterfront. This is an ideal setting for the strong education and business-to-business networking that we’ve come to expect from the United Fresh show.”
“One of the unique values of the United Fresh show is its focus on new technology, equipment and services for the industry, as well as the FutureTEC pavilion highlighting start-up companies,” said Zamore. “As a supplier to the fresh processing sector, I’m committed to growing this part of the show to serve our customers throughout the produce supply chain.”
“BrightFarms is a relatively new player on the produce scene but our growth reflects the excitement about how controlled-environment growing can meet the demand for local produce, sustainability and consumer value,” Prior said. “Our sector has become a major part of the United Fresh show attracting new retail customers, but also allowing us to find new indoor technologies to help grow our businesses.”
“My excitement about United Fresh 2020 is twofold,” said Roy. “I participated in the first Partner X-Change B2B matchmaking event last year, and found great value in meeting with new companies that I might be able to do business with. And as a graduate of the United Fresh Leadership Program, I can’t wait to celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary in San Diego together with more than 250 fellow alumni who are now leading their companies, associations and commodity groups across the industry.”
“Due to the success of our reimagined convention this past June, I’m pleased that exhibit renewals have surpassed 80 percent, with more than a dozen new exhibitors already signed up,” Stenzel said. “I encourage exhibiting companies to put San Diego 2020 in their budgets now, and sign up soon for the best space.”
“Many of the enhancements from the 2019 show that surprised attendees and allowed for innovative new networking and business opportunities will continue in 2020, including the Produce X-Change B2B matchmaking program, the “late-night” Party at the San Diego House of Blues, and our annual Opening Party aboard the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier that promises a memorable kick-off to the 2020 show,” Stenzel said.
For more information:
Mary Coppola
United Fresh Produce Association
Ph: +1 (202) 303-3425
mcoppola@unitedfresh.org
www.unitedfresh.org