July Foodservice Conference Celebrates 30 Years with a Focus on the Future

Even as fruits and vegetables have gained an increasing presence on foodservice menus, for suppliers, it’s survival of the innovative. Success belongs to businesses that choose to reinvent, reimage and rethink what they know about whole and fresh-cut produce. Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Foodservice Conference & Exposition, July 29-31 in Monterey, Calif., USA, will have an eye on the past – celebrating the conference’s 30^th anniversary – with a focus on the future.

Foodservice 2020 and its goal to increase produce usage in foodservice will be the emphasis of this, the only event dedicated to fresh produce and the foodservice industry. Attendees will learn operator best practices and case studies for increasing produce usage through such topic areas as flavor/menu innovations, food safety, research and sustainability. Solutions will be offered in the context of Foodservice 2020 Think Tank discussions of previous years, which were sponsored by Markon and Paramount Citrus.

“We have a strong program planned this year to commemorate the conference’s 30^th anniversary, starting with an amazing opening reception,” says Mary Wright-Rana, co-chair of the Foodservice Conference Committee and director of marketing for Pro*Act, Monterey. “We plan to celebrate the successes of our industry in foodservice and thank our exhibitors for three decades of dedication to the show.”

Beyond the flavor and nutritive value that produce affords the plate, the conference will address supply chain consistency issues and how fresh-cut produce plays a part in cutting plate and back-of-the-house/supply chain costs.

More than 1,500 attendees and 155 exhibitors will converge to see the latest products and services, strengthen new and existing relationships and learn the latest industry trends. The conference brings together foodservice operators, wholesalers, distributors and brokers with grower-shippers, processors, promotional organizations, and other product and service providers. Exhibit space is already sold out.

“PMA’s Foodservice Conference is the best use of time and money for anyone involved in foodservice menu development, purchasing or quality assurance,” says Mike Hansen, co-chair of the Foodservice Conference Committee and senior director of produce with Sysco in Salinas, Calif.

New this year, sponsors will bring in chefs to create dishes with their commodity as part of a chef competition. Also new, guest bloggers will participate in exhibitor communications leading up to the conference. Attendees will be able to follow conference events on Twitter by following @PMAFSC, PMA’s Facebookpage, and new this year, mobile app. 

Other highlights of the 2011 PMA Foodservice Conference & Exposition include:

• Tours of produce fields and facilities, available for foodservice distributors, operators and wholesalers only.
• PMA Foundation’s 6th Annual Joe Nucci Memorial Golf Tournament, benefitting the Foundation’s Career Pathways Program.
• The Foundation’s Fresh Perspective: Women’s Networking Event, an evening reception providing the opportunity for an intimate group of industry newcomers and veterans to come together to learn and network.
• The Foundation’s 5K Race for Talent.

Attendees can register early and save – by June 24. Foodservice operators can receive significant discounts on 2011 conference registration rates, but space is limited, so register early. Note that the deadline to book housing is June 24; the deadline to pre-register is July 15. For more information and to register online, visit www.pma.com/foodservice.

About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)

Founded in 1949, 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.