The Industry Insights Stage features a series of educational micro-sessions held directly on the trade show floor, designed to deliver timely, relevant insights from industry experts and thought leaders. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including consumer trends, merchandising strategies, supply chain dynamics, and emerging opportunities across the produce sector.

In a fast-paced trade show environment, access to concise, high-impact education is essential. The Industry Insights Stage allows attendees to step away briefly from the floor to gain actionable knowledge, then immediately apply those insights in conversations with exhibitors and peers. These sessions are specifically designed to address the key issues shaping produce consumption and business performance today.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS STAGE

Industry Insights Stage includes four panel session opportunities that are open to those from the produce industry who would like to apply to speak or moderate. (We encourage all prospective speakers to offer additional ideas or background that can make these sessions successful).

CELEBRATING WOMEN IN PRODUCE

In celebration of the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer, women in produce share their personal experiences in navigating their careers in the industry. In addition, they will explore:

• What will the produce industry look like in the next decade for women?
• What opportunities will be available that may not have been there in the past?
• What can be done to close gender gaps?
• How can women be the driving force to not only build resiliency in the industry but help increase consumption?
• What resources are available to help women grow in the industry?

ENSURING FOOD SAFETY FROM FIELD TO FORK

As supply chains get further stretched and stressed by year-round demand and rising costs, ensuring the safety of fresh produce at every stopping point has become a significant challenge for growers, shippers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers and foodservice operators. And yet, there are countless success stories, lessons learned and tools that can guide us.

• What is the future of food safety?
• What are the biggest obstacles?
• What are best practices being employed now and those that are on the horizon that can prevent food outbreaks?

GRAB AND GO FOR THE WIN! KEY STRATEGIES TO LEVERAGE CONVENIENCE AND SNACKING

As on-the-go, health-conscious consumers lean more heavily into protein-packed, GLP-1-friendly snacking items, retailers are scrambling to take advantage of this immense shift in preference.

• What are consumers demanding (convenience, flavor, freshness)?
• What merchandising strategies are working now and will work in the future?
• What products or innovations are catching shoppers’ eyes?
• Which items struggle to make an impact?
• How can partners, including wholesalers and brokers, help retailers achieve sales targets and other goals?

CAPITALIZING ON THE ‘GOODNESS’ OF ORGANICS

Forecasts from major research firms show tremendous growth for organic produce over the next 10 years. Millennials and Gen Z, with more spending power than ever, are the key drivers.

• With rising costs, shipping concerns, and labor shortages all standing in the way of future goals, what can organic growers, suppliers, retailers and restaurateurs do to ensure the future is strong?
• What are the best strategies to promote organics in store and on menus?
• What merchandising strategies will ensure organics are well-positioned to catch shoppers’ eyes?