As we launch full speed into the second quarter of 2016, the team at DMA Solutions is preparing for a successful United Fresh exposition in June. With three months to go, we are excited to share what’s new from this year’s show and provide you with insights into what we’ll be exploring when in Chicago.
Four Shows, One Badge
This year’s show is bound to please the curious fresh produce marketer with four shows to see with one badge. The marketers at DMA Solutions plan to explore each show and will be on the hunt for inspirational marketing practices and seeking opportunities for partnerships with fresh. Be sure to check out each show’s website to learn more:
- United Fresh – “Produce innovation starts here” is the theme and tagline for the show as attendees and exhibitors alike can expect to see new produce items, fresh food trends, gain access to cutting-edge tools and technology as well as much needed networking time with customers and industry colleagues.
- FMI Connect – Food retail’s premier event, this show provides an indispensable service to the people who make up the heart of the industry—a show with the ideas, products, partnerships and professional development they need to realize their greatest ambitions. And this year, fresh will take center stage.
- Global Chain Expo – A cutting edge exposition of the tools, technologies and services needed by all partners throughout the cold chain, and an educational conference bringing together innovators and experts with senior management and rising managers from all sectors of the industry.
- International Floriculture Expo – The show features displays of fresh cut flowers, foliage/potted plants, giftware/accessories, lawn/garden, and floral-related business services. Some of the business categories that IFE attracts include: online retailers, supermarkets and supercenters, independent grocers, retail florists, designers, nurseries, and event florists.
Relevant Educational Opportunities
The 2016 line up of educational sessions is sure to please the ever evolving fresh produce marketing professional. With a powerhouse retail keynote speaker and an all new event titled “Fresh Foods: The Retail Revolution”, learning opportunities are abundant this year. Here’s what we’re most excited to learn more about:
- H-E-B’s Executive to Speak – Who won’t be clamoring to hear this featured speaker to kick off their United Fresh experience on Tuesday morning during the show? Craig Boyan, president and COO for Texas-based retailer, H-E-B will be present to share his insights about the challenges and opportunities facing today’s supermarkets. We can only imagine how excited exhibitors must be to attend this particular speaker.
- Fresh foods: The Retail Revolution – A half day session planned for Monday, June 20 from 1-5 pm, this session will explore data presented by Supermarket News’ Liz Weber highlighting the magazine’s 2016 study on the “State of Supermarket Fresh Foods.”
- Power Hour Education – Five hard-hitting topics will be on the agenda during the show’s “power hour” with content designed to advance your business and professional growth. Topics we are particularly interested in hearing more about include branding, leadership lesson and negotiation strategies to improve sales.
- Show Floor Learning Centers – These popular show floor learning centers are not new to the show in 2016, but we are particularly excited about the topics that will be addressed this year. You will find our team listening intently to “How ‘Food Waste’ is Changing the Retail Landscape”, “Who’s Buying Your Produce? Understanding Consumer Behaviors”, and “Produce Manager Insights: Retail Merchandising Strategies from the Front Lines.” Will we see you there?
Produce Innovation on Display
Whether you’re in product development, sales or fresh produce marketing, there is one thing you can count on seeing right on the show floor at United Fresh and that’s “innovation”. From the sea of exhibiting companies with their latest and greatest products on display to the nominees for the Produce Innovation Awards, there is plenty for those in search of “what’s new” right on the show floor.
We are particularly excited about seeing the nominees for the Produce Innovations Award and casting our vote for the various categories seeking to gain brand exposure and recognition for their hard work and diligence to adapt their products and packaging to meet the demands of buying audiences. This year’s categories include:
- Best New Fruit Product
- Best New Vegetable Product
- Best New Food Safety Solution
- Best new Packaging
Casting your vote is easy as the nominated products and voting ballots will both be available right on the show floor.
Are you as ready for United Fresh 2016 as we are? We hope to see you there and will be sharing highlights and revelations throughout the show on Twitter via @TheCoreBlog and #UnitedFresh2016. Join us as we’d love to share in your experience in Chicago!
