Newark, Del. — The fresh produce industry is a global marketplace, so plan now to build or strengthen your business connections to the fresh produce global marketplace by registering to attend the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) 2010 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition Oct. 15-18 in Orlando, Fla., USA.

To meet the specific needs of attendees visiting from outside the United States, the 2010 Fresh Summit will offer a range of networking, education and business building opportunities. This year’s Fresh Summit expo will bring together about 18,500 attendees from 50 countries, allowing buyers and sellers from around the world to connect directly under one roof.

“Attending Fresh Summit helps me to realize that I’m not an isolated part of the supply chain, but part of an integrated whole,” said Helio Chementi Jr., director of Arua Comercio e Servicos, Ltda., Matao, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Featuring: New product ideas

According to a PMA attendee survey, 77 percent of attendees to Fresh Summit come to see new products and services. Fresh Summit’s New Products Showcase in the Hall C lobby offers a first look at new product innovations that will be on display across the exposition floor. Innovations in produce packaging will be on display in the Hall C Lobby; the products on display are finalists in PMA’s 2010 Impact Award program for excellence in packaging.

“Fresh Summit is the annual event our company can't miss,” said Jorge Fenyvesi, president and CEO of Mexico’s Agromod, S.A. de C.V. “The level of potential buyers and business contacts it offers is unique and it always provides us with the opportunity to find new customers from the first day, and to get current in only three days on the new products and services this industry offers.”

Featuring: Global education including food safety, water

This year’s educational programming will include numerous offerings of interest to attendees from around the world, including the new Food Safety Solutions Center that will provide the right connections and information you need to stay on the leading edge of food safety. The center, sponsored by Famous Software LLC, features a dedicated area on the expo floor to showcase food safety business solutions along with live demonstrations and videos related to food safety technology in the areas of packaging, traceability, processing equipment, product testing, water purification and more. Additionally, industry experts, including PMA food safety expert Dr. Bob Whitaker and supply chain efficiencies expert Ed Treacy, will be on hand to answer questions and lead in facilitated discussion groups to explore business solutions.

One session will discuss water shortages, a common challenge to the produce industry in various locales around the world. The session will bring together international experts in a panel to discuss various water management techniques and constructive steps that can be taken to deal with a shortage.

Fresh Summit’s general sessions will also include global perspectives, including keynote speaker David Nour on Sunday, Oct. 17. Nour, a native of Iran, moved to the United States to attend college with only $100 and unable to speak English. Over the next 25 years he has built an impressive career of entrepreneurial success, both within large corporations and early stage ventures.

“PMA’s Fresh Summit has been and still is invaluable for me and my business to determine the latest trends and developments,” said Danie Kieviet, CEO of Freshworld, Stellenbosch, South Africa. “This, alongside the networking, enables me to strategically position my business for the future.”

Featuring: Business building networking, expo

Among the Fresh Summit networking opportunities, international visitors should plan to attend the evening International Partners Reception, sponsored in part by Mexbest and Tom Lange Company International, Inc., on Sunday, Oct. 17. Designed as an evening where many cultures converge, this evening event provides the opportunity to meet industry leaders from around the globe to foster multinational relationships.

“Fresh Summit is really an essential part of my calendar – it has become for me the premier event for keeping up with global trends and for networking with so many people relevant to our business,” said Chanel White, strategy consultant for Australia’s Carter & Spencer.

The 592,000 square foot 2010 Fresh Summit expo will feature more than 900 exhibiting companies bringing buyers and sellers together.

“Participating as an exhibitor gives us presence and generates at least one new client every time we participate. Fresh Summit is also very valuable to us because we meet all our current clients in one place,” said Roger Gay, CEO of Cocanmex Mexico, S.A. de C.V.

Featuring: Specific help for international travelers

Need an invitation to travel to Fresh Summit? Or a visa? PMA is ready to help. International visitors to Fresh Summit can find information on these and other travel needs at

http://legacy.pma.com/freshsummit/2010/hotels/international-visitors.cfm. Need help en espanol? Contact our Solutions Center staff by telephone at +1 (302) 738-7100 or via email at solutionctr@pma.com.

Register early and save

PMA members, as well as retailers and foodservice operators receive significant discounts on registration fees. Not a member? Join now to take advantage of the discount. Retailers and foodservice operators also receive a discount. Also save by registering early – by Sept. 3 if registering by mail or fax, and Sept. 17 if registering online. Advance registration ends Sept. 24; on-site registration will be available. For more information and to register online, visit www.pma.com/freshsummit.

Note to editors:High resolution photographs of Fresh Summit keynote speakers, and conference logo artwork, are available on PMA’s website by visiting www.pma.com/press-center/media-resources.

About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)

Founded in 1949, the Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing nearly 3,000 companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. Members rely on PMA year round for the business solutions they need to increase sales and consumption, build strong professional relationships, and expand their business opportunities. For more information, visit www.pma.com.