The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has announced that its annual convention, the Fresh Summit 2021, will take place in-person on October 28-30, 2021 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA where it will implement a variety of safety protocols and modifications developed with guidance from public health authorities.
“We all had that moment in the last year when we knew that things would never be the same,” said PMA CEO, Cathy Burns. “I shared my belief I have no interest in going back to normal. I am much more interested in using this opportunity to create our ‘new extraordinary’. I look forward to welcoming the industry back in person to grow a healthier world, which is especially powerful and essential in these times.
This will be the 72nd year for the expo which in the past has seen the launch of countless new products, new flavors and transformative innovations. The global trade association is currently accepting booth applications on freshsummit.com for all companies interested in exhibiting at the event.
“We are grateful to have such engaged and invested partners who believe in the power of produce and floral,” said PMA’s Director of Events, Jamie Romano Hillegas. “Bringing people together to do business and explore new items, innovations and solutions is a highlight of the Fresh Summit experience. The industry has been resilient, and I know we’re all looking forward to coming together safely and feeling that buzz of the show floor.”
PMA is consulting global and local public health authorities to develop guidelines and protocols. Some of the modifications that have already been made include strategies to control crowd density to enable safe, socially distanced interactions including expanded lounge sizes, adding and increasing the width of main aisles and more.
PMA has also shared that they are finalizing plans for the PMA Foodservice Conference that takes place at the end of July in Monterey.
All available updates, including the booth application, can be found at the event website, freshsummit.com.