FOLSOM, CA - The end of February will be bringing along an exciting industry event—made even more enticing by the keynote speakers, who were just announced. The Blueberry Convention, put on by the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) and taking place February 28–March 1, will feature visionary leaders from Walmart, Driscoll’s, and Naturipe Farms during two impactful sessions.

"We are excited to introduce a lineup of speakers who represent excellence, innovation, and expertise," stated NABC/U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council President Kasey Cronquist. "Each speaker offers a distinctive viewpoint, providing our industry audience an exclusive chance to hear from influential leaders in the produce industry who all have a significant stake in the future of blueberries. This year’s convention is going to be packed with insights that promise to inspire and elevate."

This year’s opening keynote session, “The Future State of Blueberries,” will feature Soren Bjorn, Chief Executive Officer of Driscoll's, and Juan Ignacio Allende, CEO/Gerente General of Hortifrut and Chairman of the Naturipe Farms Board of Directors. A press release stated that they will cover the industry's pressing issues and cast a vision on the uniting efforts necessary to make blueberries the world's favorite fruit.

On day two of the convention, Melissa Byland, Walmart’s Merchandising Director, will take the stage in the keynote, “A Futuristic Look at Blueberry Growth in Retail,” to share her insights into the future of blueberries. With blueberries projected to reach a staggering 1 billion pounds by 2030, this session will provide an insider's perspective on the anticipated growth and its implications for the industry, the release noted.

The keynote speakers are part of a robust educational session series at this year’s Blueberry Convention. Other educational sessions will include topics on harvesting, growing consumer demand, farm valuation, and a retail panel discussion. For more information on this year’s Blueberry Convention, click here.

Keep reading ANUK for more updates on the industry’s upcoming events.