United Fresh Expands 2017 Show

United Fresh will expand its innovation platform for the produce industry, moving its annual conference and expo into the larger West Hall at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The event, which will be held June 13-15, 2017, will debut new expo features in convenience and fresh foods, robotics and supply chain technology, and conference sessions bringing attendees and exhibitors together with subject matter experts to help grow their businesses.  

“We’re excited to launch a new format and programs in 2017 to serve specific needs in the fresh produce industry, segmenting the event into United FreshTEC and United FreshMKT,” says president & CEO Tom Stenzel. “These new branded events respond to the innovation driving our industry in marketing and product development, but also in new technology, robotics and other supply chain solutions. Moving beyond simple workshop tracks, attendees will find value in separately focused educational and expo events that address the unique needs of each sector, helping to drive collaboration and growth.”

On June 13 the day before the expos open, a separate FreshMKT Conference and FreshTEC Conference will allow attendees to focus on the specific business challenges and opportunities in each sector. Then, on June 14-15, the traditional trade show will be more clearly defined between the FreshMKT Expo and the FreshTEC Expo, each featuring unique exhibits, demonstration areas, thought-leader collaboration space and events designed for each specific business sector.

The United FreshMKT Expo has been the fastest growing segment of the United Fresh event in Chicago, as retailers, wholesalers, foodservice companies and new channel buyers explore the latest in fresh produce innovation, say show organizers. Attendees will now find an Organic Produce Showcase, featuring new products and a highlighted presence for organic providers throughout the entire expo. In addition, new features will focus on prepared meal solutions, convenient snack items, fresh juices, salsas, soups and dips, and much more. Prior to the expo, the FreshMKT Conference will be designed specifically for produce and fresh foods buyers, executives and trading partners across all retail and foodservice channels.  

Building on a deep footprint in the fresh-cut processing sector, the United FreshTEC Expo is designed to highlight the most innovative technologies coming to the business from farm to table. Breakthrough innovations in mechanical harvesting, robotics, packing and packaging, and more will be featured in the FreshTEC Expo. Attendees also will find a new Food Safety Pavilion featuring the latest technologies to help companies comply with the myriad of regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The FreshTEC Conference program will be designed specifically for operations executives and managers looking to understand new technology solutions that are available now, but also to look beyond at the visionary innovations on the way.

The power of partnership allows all attendees to purchase one expo ticket and gain admission to four co-located shows—United FreshMKT Expo, United FreshTEC Expo, Global Cold Chain Expo and International Floriculture Expo. Together, attendees can visit more than 700 exhibitors displaying the newest innovations in fresh foods, produce and floral products; new technologies to develop and merchandise those products; and technological solutions to ensure quality control throughout the cold chain from field to table.

Also new this year, all four shows will host a Joint Opening General Session on Wednesday morning before the expos open. All attendees and exhibitors will be welcome to attend the opening general session, without an additional educational package. United Fresh and its co-location partners attracted more than 7,500 attendees in 2016.

Exhibitors and attendees who register for the 2017 United Fresh All-Access Package will maximize the value of their show participation, adding networking sessions and special events that facilitate interaction with key customers, colleagues and suppliers. The All-Access Package will include United’s traditional Opening Night Reception, as well as the Retail Foodservice Celebration Dinner on Thursday honoring outstanding retail produce managers and innovative chefs across the industry. In between, visitors will enjoy morning general sessions, the annual Women in Produce Reception, and access to all four expos held concurrently at McCormick Place.