The IFPA readies for its 1st major industry event next week in Orlando

The first major event from the newly created International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) kicks off next week in Orlando, with the debut of The Global Produce & Floral Show.

The agenda for the Oct. 27-29 conference includes a keynote session with chef and humanitarian Jose Andres, a breakfast talk from actress and activist Marlee Matlin, as well as sessions from industry leaders and a trade show.

“I am most looking forward to seeing our members in person, especially for the first year as the International Fresh Produce Association,” IFPA CEO Cathy Burns said in an email to WGB. “Our members come to this event with the energy and ideas that drive produce and floral into the future.”

The association recently added a general session on consumer trends at retail, focused on inflation, labor, e-commerce and more.

Other sessions of note include a state of the industry presentation from Burns, as well as educational programming around organic produce, consumer psychology, social media, labor, technology and more.

The trade show will feature more than 1,000 exhibitors, including produce and flower growers, tech companies, and retail solutions firms.

The IFPA bills the conference as the “single best place to meet the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain.”

The IFPA formed at the beginning of the year, following the merger of the United Fresh Produce Association and the Produce Marketing Association. The group was created to speak with a “more unified, authoritative voice” for the fresh produce and floral industries, the association said.

The IFPA has been busy since then, advocating for its members with policymakers and regulators on issues such as food safety, immigration reform, supply chain, organics and nutrition, IFPA’s Chief Strategy Officer Lauren Scott told WGB.

This month’s conference is a must-attend event for the industry, Scott said.

“We will deliver a transformative experience that provides value, connections and opportunity for everyone across the industry no matter their role or their company’s size, products or location,” Scott said.