GLOBAL TRADE
SYMPOSIUM
The Global Trade Symposium is the annual gathering of international traders of fruits and vegetables. Taking place on the day before The New York Produce Show and Conference, the Global Trade Symposium brings the best minds from around the world to discuss the intricacies of import and export in an ever-challenging world.
Co-located with The New York Produce Show and Conference, The Global Trade Symposium is presented by PRODUCE BUSINESS Magazine and the EASTERN PRODUCE COUNCIL.
NEW YORK PRODUCE SHOW
Sheraton New York Times Square
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Presented by:
2025 Program
The critical strategies and roadmaps importers use to bring the freshest, highest quality produce into the U.S. and Canada – from every corner of the globe.
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. We will be looking for speakers from the Commodity Boards, Associations, such as ASOEX, Avocados from Mexico, Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, and retailers themselves who present those products in store. What is truly unique about what they are doing?
GLOBAL TRADE SYMPOSIUM
2025 AGENDA
MORE UPDATES TO COME
7:30 am
8:15 am
GENERAL SESSION AND WELCOME REMARKS
Ken Whitacre, CEO and Publisher, Produce Business
8:30 am
2026 GLOBAL MARKET OUTLOOK
(PRESENTER TBA)
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.
9:15am
POLITICS AND PRODUCE, A GLOBAL DISCUSSION
(PANELISTS TBA)
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?
10:00 am
NAVIGATING TURBULENCE IN TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS
(PANELISTS TBA)
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?
10:45 am
COFFEE BREAK
11:00 am
THE SEEDS OF CHANGE
(PANELISTS TBA)
A variety of speakers will discuss the creativity, characteristics and intentionality shaping seed and new variety development, from ideation to marketing to shipping and 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?
12:45pm
BUILDING RESILIENCE AT RETAIL
(PANELISTS TBA)
As consumer expectations rise for year-round, convenient and sustainable produce, retailers assess and offer solutions to the impacts tariffs and other disruptors are having on the supply chain. Among the questions they will field: How are they working with international suppliers to ensure availability, traceability and promotion planning? What technologies, automation and AI are they leveraging and how? What merchandising strategies are they employing in stores? Where are the opportunities? How are they balancing consumers’ desire for local with seasonality of fresh produce from abroad? What consumer trends are most front of mind – health/nutrition, flavor, convenience, fresh-cut, sustainability, farm to fork?
12:30 pm
LUNCH
1:15pm
THE MARKETING OF IMPORTS
(PANELISTS TBA)
How produce from other countries is being marketed, promoted and merchandised in the United States and Canada.
2:15pm
THE MARKETING OF EXPORTS
(PANELISTS TBA)
How produce from the United States and Canada is being marketed, promoted and merchandised in other countries.
2:45pm
Program Wrap-Up
GLOBAL TRADE SYMPOSIUM
WE THANK OUR 2024 SPEAKERS
Alejandro Moralejo
CEO
Salix Fruits
Allan Safieh
CEO and Founder
UniSpice
Allison Moore
Executive VP
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Ami Ben Dror
Founder and CEO
Dorot Farms and BDA Marketing
Andres Ocampo
CEO
HLB Specialties
Andres Rodriguez
Agricultural Attache of Chile
Anthony Serafino
President
EXP Group
Diego Morales
Sales Manager
D Produce
Ed Fitzgerald
Vice President of Trade Services
Geodis
Felipe Kanacri
General Manager
AM Fresh
George Pitsikoulis
President and CEO
Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers
Giovanni Cavaletto
President
GLC Cerritos
Jean Elie
Assistant Director Business Development
Port Everglades
John Pandol
Director of Special Projects
Pandol Bros.
Leo Holt
President
Holt Logistics
Manuel Alcaino
Chairman
Decofrut
Miles Fraser Jones
VP of New Business Development
Sierra Produce
Peng Liu
President
Orchard Direct
Raquel Espinoza
Director of Sales and Marketing
Produce House
John Ercolani
VP of Operations
J&K Fresh
Gustavo Yentzen
Founder and President
Yentzen Consulting
Miguel Gomez
Professor
Cornell University
Ken Whitacre
CEO
Phoenix Media Network
Ron Lemaire
President
Canadian Produce Marketing Association
Priscilla Lleras
Executive Director
Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association
Sophia McDonald Bennett
Business Dev. Manager & Editor
Phoenix Media Network
Paul White
Founder
GiveGood, LLC
William Watson
President
The Fresh Approach
Tecla Masciarelli
Buyer, Produce
Metro Stores
Robert Schueller
Director of Public Relations
Melissa’s
Erick Carranza Vera
Vice President
EV Produce International
Ruben Ramirez
Country Manager, Mexico
IFPA
Kevin Carroll
Director of Imported Fruit
Fowler Packing
Paul Massey
Director of Business Development
Trucco
Lucio Rainelli
Director of Sales
LGS
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
