Global Produce & Floral Show begins next week in Anaheim

The Global Produce & Floral Show kicks off Thursday in Anaheim, California, featuring educational sessions about the state of the produce industry, a bustling trade show and a keynote speech from Apple’s co-founder, Steve Wozniak.

It’s the second-annual event from the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), which formed in early 2022 following the merger of the United Fresh Produce Association and the Produce Marketing Association. The new group was created to speak with a “more unified, authoritative voice” for the fresh produce and floral industries, the association said.

The Global Produce & Floral Show floor will feature more than 1,100 exhibitors, including about 150 new booths for this year’s show. The trade show will feature up-and-coming tech companies in the FutureTech plaza, as well as a range of business solutions providers, floral and produce suppliers, technology firms and more.

The event launches Thursday morning with a presentation from IFPA CEO Cathy Burns who will discuss innovations and consumer trends and what they mean for the global produce and floral industries.

Breakout sessions include discussions of produce packaging, updates on IFPA’s government advocacy efforts, artificial intelligence, consumer trends and more. There will also be a session on the potential of indoor farms, or controlled environment agriculture.

Walmart EVP of Sourcing Andrea Albright is scheduled to appear on a panel, along with Mineral CEO Elliott Grant and Society for Human Resource Management President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, to discuss a range of topics, including consumer trends, workforce issues and technology.

Wozniak, in his keynote address, will speak about technological innovation and the future of technology.

The Global Produce & Floral Show runs through Saturday at the Anaheim Convention Center.