Event Overview:

The Eastern Produce Council and PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine have once again joined forces to present an exciting world-class event for the industry. The four-day event includes networking opportunities, a one-day trade show of over 400 companies, retail “thought-leader” breakfast panel hosted by Perishable Pundit Jim Prevor, educational micro-sessions and tours of the region’s vibrant industry, including local retailers, wholesalers, foodservice distributors, urban farms and unique eateries.

The program also includes an outreach to students and faculty at regional universities as well as distinguished culinary schools, plus the “Connect with Fresh” media immersion, luncheon and show tour involving influential bloggers, consumer editors and those working with all forms of social media.
Back by popular demand are three co-located conferences for those who wish to come early and/or stay later:

• Monday, December 11, the Foundational Excellence program ($995 and includes all access) –> with Cornell professors offering one day of industry trends and take-aways for executives with less than 5 years in produce;
• Tuesday, December 12, the Global Trade Symposium  offers attendees the latest insights on produce importing and exporting to and from the Northeast Region;
• Thursday, December 14 the “Ideation Fresh” Foodservice Forum  covers the role of produce in culinary innovation and foodservice profitability.

Exhibitor Information:

The New York Produce Show and Conference offers exhibitors an experience like no other show in the fresh produce arena:

• This is the only produce show in New York City, the 12^thlargest population center and ONE OF THE LARGEST PRODUCE-BUYING MARKETS IN THE WORLD. The strategic location is also pivotal for international trade of produce through seaports up and down the east coast, and with three international airports less than one-hour’s drive, buyers and sellers conveniently shuttle in and out from all corners of the globe.

• The New York Produce Show and its midtown Manhattan location afford a unique upscale metropolitan environment, perfect for networking, dining, entertaining, etc. In essence, though New York is a big city, there are ample opportunities for intimate high-quality relationships to be fostered throughout the event.

• Like our sister events – The London Produce Show and Conference and The Amsterdam Produce Show and Conference – there is tremendous emphasis on thought-leadership, continuous education and stimulating conversation throughout the conference. Attendees don’t come here to party; they come here to conduct real business, improve their knowledge base and make the industry a better place to sell produce and floral items to consumers!

• The central attraction of The New York Produce Show and Conference is the one-day trade show on Wednesday, December 13th. In a rapid-fire 7-hour period, over 5,000 produce executives from around the world – 40% with produce-buying authority – visit 400 exhibitors for 1-on-1 meetings. Exhibitors can easily set up the day before or the morning of the show and break down at 5 pm for evening events.

• Every booth is the same size at The New York Produce Show and Conference, so the competitive playing field is level for all participants. There are no giant pavilions or massive displays to navigate, so this puts buyers and sellers together right from the start… and don’t be surprised to find buyers on the show floor all day and on through the very end. (Keep in mind that the New York Metro Area is host to thousands of independent stores, and it is not unheard of to see an entire produce staff arriving at the show AFTER their shift ends late in the day.)