GLOBAL TRADE
SYMPOSIUM
Sheraton NY Times Square
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
The Global Trade Symposium is the annual gathering of international traders of fruits and vegetables. Taking place the day before the exhibitor trade show, the Symposium brings the best minds from around the world to discuss the intricacies of import and export in an ever-challenging world.
PRESENTED BY
PRODUCE BUSINESS
EASTERN PRODUCE COUNCIL
2025 Program
We have six sessions planned, covering the entirety of the supply chain, with leaders from produce discussing key trends, imports, exports, marketing strategies, transportation, logistics and even seed development.
What will I learn?
This year’s Global Trade Symposium is more important than ever, given the instability and challenges facing every business and operator in the current economic climate. We will focus on two overarching themes:
- How fresh produce businesses and agencies that partner with the U.S. and Canada can leverage new innovations, technology and strong leadership to offset the volatile and uncertain economic climate.
- How marketing and merchandising of fresh produce helps sell product globally – with separate sessions on exports and imports.
2025 AGENDA
MORE UPDATES TO COME
7:30 am
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:15 am
GENERAL SESSION AND WELCOME REMARKS
Ken Whitacre, CEO and Publisher, Produce Business
8:30 am
2026 GLOBAL MARKET OUTLOOK
Miguel Gomez, Cornell University
Miguel will provide a sweeping breakdown of current trends in the international trade of fruits and vegetables – including consumption patterns, commodity changes, trade agreements and emerging technologies impacting supply chains.
9:00 am
POLITICS AND PRODUCE, A GLOBAL DISCUSSION
Moderator: Tom Stenzel, The Stenzel Group
Speakers: Jessie Capote, JC Tropicals | Fernando Cruz Morales, GCMA | Ron Lemaire, CPMA | John Pandol, Pandol Bros. | Chuck Zeutenhorst, First Fruits Farms
Produce leaders from around the world discuss how the roller-coaster geopolitical landscape is affecting the movement of fresh fruits and vegetables to and from the U.S. Among the questions panelists will field: What is the current state of trade/tariffs/policies in their specific regions? What sectors, commodities or businesses are seeing the biggest impacts? How are businesses trying to offset those impacts? What forward-thinking solutions may ensure stability in the future?
10:15 am
COFFEE BREAK
10:30 am
NAVIGATING TURBULENCE IN TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS
Moderator: Anthony Serafino, President, EXP Group
Speakers: Robert Goldstein, GenPro | Mike Laws, Sunrise Logistics | Tony Martinez, Primo Trading Services/Pharr International Bridge | Florent Phillipot, Z Group USA | Jai Thakrar, Jalaram Fruit
Preserving the cold chain and ensuring on-time deliveries of fresh produce has never been more challenging – with labor shortages, tariffs, small harvests, weather events and route changes forcing importers to be extremely agile. What strategies are they employing now – and considering in the future – to make supply chains more resilient? How is adoption of AI, automation and the Internet of Things – the interconnected network of communications of sensors and technologies – improving their efforts? Is consumer demand and the quest for year-round and sustainable produce reasonable in this climate?
11:15 am
THE SEEDS OF CHANGE
Moderator: Craig Carlson, Carlson Consulting
Speakers: Mark Campion, Taylor Farms | Jenny Maloney, Bayer Crop Science | Ernst van Eeghen, Church Brothers | Uri Krieger, Syngenta
Panelists will discuss the creativity, characteristics and intentionality shaping seed and new variety development, from ideation to marketing, and ulimately, positioning in stores. What new technologies and innovations are being used or considered? What is the next wave of produce or produce products on the horizon? How are companies balancing flavor and quality with hardiness, resistance and environmental impact? What are retailers clamoring for? What are shoppers demanding? And how far are they looking ahead?
12:00 pm
LUNCH
1:00 pm
THE MARKETING OF EXPORTS
Moderator: William Watson, The Fresh Approach
Speakers: Kim Beshears, Potatoes USA | Anne Warden, American Pecan Council (more TBA)
There is an art and science to marketing, merchandising and promoting produce from the United States and Canada in other countries. How is that happening? How are commodity boards and other produce leaders leveraging the latest trends and innovations to maximize exposure for these products? Representatives from national commodity boards will provide rare insight on the process.
1:45 pm
THE MARKETING OF IMPORTS
Moderator: Vic Savanello, Katzman
Speakers: Manuel Michel, Colombia Avocado Board | John Paap, Jac Vandenberg | Kim Chackal, Equifruit | Rodrigo Torres, Altar
More than $20 billion of fresh produce is brought into the United States and Canada annually, which includes a staggering number of commodities from more than 150 countries. Procurement and shipping are a huge part of the process. But so is marketing and merchandising. Panelists will offer critical insight into how fresh produce is – and should be – marketed, promoted and merchandised well in the United States and Canada. They’ll also dive into disruptions impacting imports into the U.S. and Canada.
2:30 pm
Program Wrap-Up
2025 SPEAKERS
MORE TO BE CONFIRMED
Mark Campion
President of Retail
Taylor Farms
Jessie Capote
CEO
JC Tropicals
Kim Chackal
Co-Owner, VP of Sales, Marketing
Equifruit
Fernando Cruz Morales
Managing Partner
Grupo Consultor de Mercados Agrícolas
Robert Goldstein
Founder and CEO
GenPro
Craig Carlson
CEO
Carlson Produce Consulting
Ernst Van Eeghen
Vice President of Business Development
Church Brothers
Kim Breshears
Potatoes USA
Chief Marketing Officer
Anthony Serafino
EXP Group
President
Miguel Gomez
Professor
Cornell University
Uri Krieger
Global Head of R&D
Syngenta Vegetable Seeds & Flowers
Jenny Maloney
Global-Americas Strategic Accounts Mgr.
Bayer Crop Science
Mike Laws
President
Laws Logistics (Partner with Sunsrise Logistics)
Manuel Michel
Managing Director
Colombia Avocado Board
John Paap
Sustainability Manager
Jac Vandenberg
Florent Phillipot
CEO
Z Group USA
Vic Savanello
Vice President of Business Development
Katzman
Tom Stenzel
Principal
The Stenzel Group
Jai Thakrar
Import Export Manager
Jalaram Fruit
John Pandol
Director of Special Projects
Pandol Bros.
Rodrigo Torres
Director of Global Sales
Altar Produce
Anne Warden
CEO
American Pecan Council
Gustavo Yentzen
Founder and President
Yentzen Consulting
William Watson
President
The Fresh Approach
Tony Martinez
Managing Member
Primo Trading Services/ Pharr International Bridge
Chuck Zeutenhorst
President
FirstFruits Farms
Ken Whitacre
CEO and Publisher
The New York Produce Show and Produce Business
GLOBAL TRADE SYMPOSIUM
SPOSNORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Enhance Your New York Produce Show Presence. The New York Produce Show and Conference delivers tremendous opportunity to do more business. Reach the highest level of retail and foodservice buying decision-makers. Sponsorships enhance your exhibitor experience and add more value.
OVERALL SPONSOR (1 Available)
Lead the Global Flow: Sponsor the Global Trade Symposium! Connect your brand to the pulse of international produce trade! Sponsor the prestigious Global Trade Symposium, where the world’s top minds tackle the freshest challenges and opportunities in import/export.
• 3-minute video and/or 3-minute presentation at commencement or after break
• Meter Board at the presentation stage
• Welcome to share branded printed materials with program attendees
BREAKFAST SPONSOR (3 available)
Let them eat and talk about global access to fresh produce!
• 3-minute video and/or 3-minute presentation at commencement or after break
• Meter Board featuring all breakfast sponsors
• Incorporate a fresh produce item in the breakfast
COFFEE BREAK SPONSORS (2 available)
Caffeinate to generate more growth for fresh across the supply chain!
• Branded napkins
• Featured on the sponsor Meter Board at Global Trade Symposium sessions
LUNCHEON SPONSORS (3 available)
Host Global Connectors: Sponsor the GTS Luncheon!
• 3-minute video and/or 3-minute presentation during lunch service
• Meter Board at the presentation stage
• Incorporate a fresh produce item in the luncheon
AUDIO/VISUAL SPONSORS (3 available)
Align your company with all the tech, delivering impactful presentations, and ensuring Global Trade has all the amplification it deserves.
• Dedicated Meter Board identifying your brand as the crucial AV Sponsor
All sponsors receive the following special recognition:
Company logo on signage throughout the Javits Center, in hotel meeting areas, and within the official Show Directory.
Company logo on The New York Produce Show and Conference website’s sponsor page.
Sponsors recognized during opening reception, keynote breakfast and on visual communications throughout the show.
Recognition in Produce Business magazine.
To discuss tailored packages that support your marketing objectives, please contact us here.
Contact Us
P.O. Box 810425,
Boca Raton, Florida 33481
United States
(561) 994-1118
