Third Annual Organic Produce Summit to Host 250 Retail Buyers; Attendees to Total Over 1,200
MONTEREY, CA - The countdown is on for the third annual Organic Produce Summit and there is less than one month to go. With a 30 percent increase in attendance and over 250 retail buyers on the guest list, it's hard not to feel the excitement. Mark your calendars, OPS 2018 will be held July 11-12 at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, CA.
“As we head into our final month before the show, it’s been very gratifying to see the growth of the show and the continued support of our attendees and the industry as a whole,” said Susan Canales, President. “Participation from the retail and buying communities is tremendous and our educational program is second to none. OPS provides all attendees with the right balance of education, information, and networking. We hear all the time that OPS is an event where contacts are made, and deals are done. We’re excited to make this year’s OPS the best yet.”
The two-day OPS wastes no time getting to the action—the show kicks off with sold-out retailer/buyer tours at five of the nation's’ leading organic fresh produce companies and follows with a series of educational sessions and keynote presentations focused on the opportunities and challenges, as well as look into the future of organic fresh produce. The event concludes with a sold-out exhibition featuring 130 organic fresh produce growers, shippers, and processors networking with retailers, wholesalers, and buyers from across North America.
What’s more is that the OPS 2018 educational program will feature six sessions this year, ranging from issues related to organic fresh produce. According to a press release, the sessions include:
- “Deep Dive - Organic Sales Analysis and the Why Behind the Buy”
- “Organics and the Media – New Landscape of Information”
- “The Organic Supply Chain I & II – Opportunities and Challenges”
- “E-Grocery and the Future of Organic Fresh Produce at Retail”
- “Organic Ingredients – Creating New Opportunities in the Produce Department”
The educational sessions will be followed by two keynote presentations featuring Dan Buettner, noted journalist, and discoverer of Blue Zones; and Geoff White, President of OWN Brands.
Up next is the big conclusion: the Retailer Roundtable. Featuring panelists Roger Harkrider, Director of Produce for Meijer; Ron McCormick, Senior Director of Global Produce Sourcing at Wal Mart Stores, Inc; and Randy Riley, Director of Produce Merchandising for Kroger; and with OPN Co-Founder Tonya Antle as moderator, this is definitely one of the most anticipated events at OPS 2018. The Retailer Roundtable will highlight how each retailer incorporates organic fresh produce in their operations, as well as their analysis on the challenges, opportunities, and future of the multi-billion-dollar organic fresh produce industry.
There will be plenty of opportunities to register for OPS—registration for the event will remain open until show dates and same-day on-site registration is also available. Looking more more info? Visit www.organicproducesummit.com.
