Hosted in New York City, the largest buying market in the country, the 2017 New York Produce Show offered attendees and exhibiting companies three days of learning, networking and selling opportunities at what has become the produce industry’s essential and signature annual gathering to celebrate fresh. We were happy to have the opportunity to be present at the show and search for marketing excellence that blew us away. Following are the highlights that will have us returning to New York in 2018:
Bigger NYPS Branding Built Excitement
Upon arrival to the Javits Center, one couldn’t help but notice the strategically placed and extremely noticeable signage directing the way to the exhibition. Arriving to the show floor, we immediately noticed the high volume of show attendees making their way to meet with the 400 exhibiting companies showcasing their products across the impressive show floor. It is clear that this regional show is here to stay!
Beyond the Booth: Additional Avenues to Market Your Brand
For marketers on a mission to be seen and heard at a tradeshow, the New York Produce Show offers marketers with opportunities to elevate their brands and products throughout the one-day show.
First Annual Innovation Award 
This year the New York Produce Show was home to a new award celebrating innovative and game changing products that inspire and empower innovative thinking and creativity, bringing a slate of new offerings to market.
The winner of the first annual innovation awards was presented to SUNSET® for its Sweet Bites® pail. Congrats to the team at SUNSET and the other nine nominated companies including Babe Farms, Green Giant Fresh/Growers Express, Gold Coast Packing, Love Beets, Mann Packing, Naturipe Farms, Tanimura & Antle, Veggie Noodle Co. and Village Farms.
According to Produce Business, judging was based on a 10-point scale with a concentration on product, packaging and processing. Jim Prevor, CEO and Editor in Chief of Produce Business Magazine adds, “It’s expert recognition of a product most likely to increase consumption of fresh produce.”
The Joe Nucci Award for Product Innovation 
Announced each year at the New York Produce Show, this award was established by Produce Business to provide a perpetual living memorial to Joe Nucci by celebrating products that represent the best in innovation that will lead to increased produce consumption. This year’s winner was selected from the finalists being considered for the first annual Innovation Award and was presented to Naturipe Farms for their new snack line.
New Product Showcase
The New Product Showcase was located directly on the show floor this year to draw attention to the new and exciting products on display by exhibiting companies. We appreciated the convenience that the showcase provided as well as the clever displays presented by exhibiting companies.
A Touch of Holiday 
New York City offers some of the world’s most beautiful holiday sights to see during this time of year! We noticed a few exhibitors that brought the holiday decorating theme into their booths and think this is a great way for a company to showcase culture at the right place and the right time. Frey Farms and Booth Ranches were two of the handful of exhibitors to add a touch of holiday to their booth and product displays.
It’s All About the Food
One of the great things about visiting New York City or attending a tradeshow in the city is the food and this year’s New York Produce Show certainly didn’t disappoint the pallet or the appetite.
Year after year we are as impressed as we are grateful for the food that the show hosts make available to people walking the tradeshow floor from various culinary professionals, giving us ample opportunity to taste trending flavor profiles using the fruit and veggies showcased at the show. We took notice when we walked across a bin of free Natalie’s juices in the center aisle to keep us hydrated along our trek! From the hoagies featured in the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market booth to the hot dogs served in the “Central Park” area of the show floor, we left this show feeling stuffed and happy.
We want to thank the organizers of the show, Produce Business and the Eastern Produce Council for hosting yet another fruitful event. Exhibitors across the show floor shared how happy they were with the traffic flow and the quality of discussions they had with existing and prospective customers that would keep them coming back for more in 2018.
Interested in learning more about this and other fresh produce industry events? Download the 2018 Produce Marketer’s Calendar including important dates and events every fresh produce marketer should have in their plan for the New Year!
