Produce Marketing Association has opened the 2020 Fresh Summit virtual platform for the Buyer Preview of the Produce, Floral, Solutions and Complementary Items Marketplaces and the industry is buzzing with connections, pitches, and product previews. The previews will continue to roll out until the event officially kicks off on October 13. Registration is live now, and PMA promises a unique and personalized experience for each attendee.
Close to 2,000 connections already made
Currently, with about a week until the virtual “doors” are officially opened for Fresh Summit 2020, close to 2,000 connection requests have been made through the platform. With hundreds of buyers perusing the Marketplaces, exhibiting companies are able to showcase their products and accept preliminary connection and meeting requests from buyers to ensure that their Fresh Summit schedule is packed before the event begins.
“Based on the feedback we’ve received from Marketplace participants and the strong buyer activity that has already occurred, I am very excited to see how Fresh Summit 2020 continues to deliver connections and build community among leaders in global produce and floral,” said PMA CEO Cathy Burns. "While the pivot to virtual was certainly a shift in terms of delivery, our expectation to deliver a uniquely extraordinary ‘can’t miss’ event did not waver, thanks to the guidance and support of our Fresh Summit Committee and its Chairs Angela Fraser and Shawn Peery, other PMA leadership groups worldwide, and the staff.”
Attendee resources
PMA has also launched their Attendee Resources page with a series of resources guiding attendees through everything from logging in for the first time to setting up meetings. Attendees with any questions about how to navigate the platform will also be able to utilize the live chat 24 hours a day 7 days a week from September 28 through October 15. This is especially important as the Marketplace will never close down and will be available through all time-zones.
Many opportunities for networking
The Marketplace, which features hundreds of exhibitors with almost a hundred featured in the “Fresh Ideas Showcase,” will not only be open for exploration, but attendees will have the added benefit of AI-powered matchmaking taking information from attendee profiles, searches, and bookmarks in the site to provide personalized recommendations.
In addition to the networking tool within the site which allows those registered to immediately access the Attendee List to connect, text chat, or even set up video conferences, attendees can also connect in community chat rooms and through the exhibitor marketplace. The variety of options is reminiscent to an in-person Fresh Summit where connections can happen anywhere.
There will be a lot to talk about in the live sessions between PMA CEO Cathy Burns returning to give her much anticipated “State of the Industry” presentation and the general sessions presented by changemakers and innovators. There will also be sessions led by industry experts and important announcements including one that will launch a collaboration between PMA and United Nations representatives for an important 2021 initiative.
Registration is $99.00 for members and $199.00 for non-members. Retailers, foodservice operators and distributors can register for free.
For more information:
Siobhan May
Produce Marketing Association
Tel: +1 (302) 781-5855
Email: SMay@pma.com
www.pma.com