As a first time attendee to Fresh Summit, there is so much I have to look forward to. From seeing the new product showcase, meeting industry professionals, attending the educational tracks, and more! To help me prepare, our team has reached out veterans in the industry to glean some of their expertise. Here’s what they had to say:
Dear Ashley,
I hope you are able to visit every booth on the trade show floor to find that one new amazing innovative produce item being released for the first time. Taste it and take a photo for me. In many cases those new items are crammed in the back of the hall in a 10×10 booth as first time exhibitors so don’t pass them by!
-Cindy Jewel, California Giant
Dear Ashley,
One of the primary reasons people come to Fresh Summit is to make connections and the event can be a bit overwhelming due to the sheer size. Be sure to do your homework in advance to get the most out of your time in Anaheim! Download the attendee list and set up meetings, search the online exhibitor list by product to identify who you want to visit and attend as many of the networking receptions as you can!
-Jamie Hillegas, Produce Marketing Association
Dear Ashley,
Congratulations on making the traveling team for this year’s PMA Fresh Summit! It is an event I am sure you’ll never forget. Here is my advice to you:
1. Take your time packing. This sounds silly but you will be walking (a lot) perhaps running in the 5k (see you there) and going from show to social to presentations to social. Well you get the idea. I typically have 3 to 4 “uniforms” I wear in one day of PMA.
2. Always stay at venue closest to convention center – unless you want to be irrelevant.
3. Get the show program. Study it. Which events? When? Where? Which booths? Mark them on the expo floor map. Then craft a plan to visit each allowing for walking time, set aside time to be distracted as it’s sensory overload!
4. Bring plenty of business cards. Find a way to manage those you give out and those you collect. (Think back side pocket of your badge holder)
Email every single person you meet at PMA. It might be biz follow up, or it might be to just say how you enjoyed meeting them. You know very few people now. This is your chance to change that. In a hurry….
5. Smile. A lot. Not much hard business gets done at PMA. Enjoy the ride. The experience. This is how you position yourself within the industry. Take advantage of this opportunity. Go to as many events as possible. Soak it all in.
-Dave Anderson, Natural Delights
Dear Ashley,
Fresh Summit will be overwhelming to you as a “newbie” but remember, there is always someone newer than you – think about the PMA Foundation Pack Career Pathways students from universities all over the world! THEY will be overwhelmed. And, if it’s too much for your brain to take in, run it off at the PMA Foundation 5K Race for Talent!
-Margi Prueitt, Produce Marketing Association Foundation For Industry Talent
Dear Ashley,
To get the most out of your first visit to Fresh Summit, here is what I suggest…
- Have a plan – go through the directory and identify booths you want to visit – know why you want to go to those booths, i.e. to see new products, to meet someone, to check out their marketing, etc. etc. Ditto for the seminars and workshops.
- Take a journal in which to write your observations and thoughts as you move through the show because at the end of the show you’ll be so tired, you won’t be able to remember it all.
- Have a blast! Take it all in! Spread the word to all your superstar friends who may not know how awesome the produce industry is so they will consider it as a career choice!
-Terri Mouton, Frieda’s
I would like to extend my gratitude to all the industry veterans for sharing advice with me for Fresh Summit. With a little over two-weeks before the show it looks like I will have my work cut out for me to prepare. It’s going to be a great experience and I can’t wait to update everyone on how it goes.
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