We’ll be heading to the PMA Foodservice Conference & Expo in just a few weeks and look forward to seeing you all in Monterey!  There’s so much new happening this year that we thought we’d share a few things to help you make the most of the event. 

• Location – With construction still underway at the usual host location, the conference and expo activities will be split between the Monterey Marriott and Portola Hotel properties to provide maximum space and maneuverability with minimal distraction for exhibitors and attendees.
  Heres’s a quick breakdown of what can be found where: 
  • Marriott – Opening Reception, Networking Lounge, Education, Networking Strolling Lunch, Women’s Reception, Buyer Roundtables, Hands on Fruit & Vegetable Training
  • Portola – Registration and half of expo
  • Custom House Plaza – half of expo; The Custom House Plaza is located right across the cobblestone path on the way to the pier, behind the Portola.

                                                                                                                                           Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons 

• Hands-on Fruit and Vegetable Training – Led by Jill Overdorf, Corporate Executive Chef and Director of Business Development for Coosemans LA Shipping, attendees will gain valuable insights to help them “innovate the plate” including the latest menu trends and tips on care, handling and usage of fresh fruit and vegetable items. Plus you’ll get to enjoy new dishes during a networking lunch where participants will taste the items discussed during the program.
• Buyer Roundtable Program – An exciting addition to this year’s event, participating suppliers and foodservice buyers will be paired up for 10 minute one-on-one meetings before the Expo opening on Sunday morning. This new opportunity makes it much easier to lock down important conversations with the suppliers or buyers that you need to meet with the most. Learn more here.
• Confirmed Buyers – Speaking of buyers, have you ever gone to a show wondering if the customers that you hope to connect with are even going to be in attendance? Well, we have great news, because there is a fantastic number of buyers already registered! As of June 16, the list includes: 

• A & W Food Services of Canada, Inc.
• Arby’s Restaurant, LLC
• Blue Apron
• Brinker International
• Burger Lounge
• Chick-fil-A Inc.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill
• Church’s Chicken
• Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants
• Dave & Buster’s
• Dave and Busters
• Denny’s
• El Pollo Loco
• Firehouse Restaurant Group Inc.
• FreshDirect
• HelloFresh
• HMSHost
• In N Out Burger
• Jack in the Box, Inc.
• LSG Sky Chefs
• Meijer, Inc.
• Norwegian Cruise Lines
• F. Chang’s China Bistro
• Panda Restaurant Group, Inc.
• Starbucks Coffee Company
• The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated
• Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.
• Wendy’s
• Whataburger
• Zaxby’s

 
It’s this kind of innovative programming and strong attendance that has made the PMA Foodservice Conference & Expo the premier event devoted to fresh produce and foodservice.  If you haven’t already registered, we hope we’ve given you a few good reasons why you should reconsider.