Fresh Summit may be over a month away, but if you’re in the fresh produce industry, you’re likely already feeling the excitement, anticipation and not to mention stress of this year’s event! And although we’re all busy preparing, there are several things that we can all get really excited about, especially fresh produce marketers. And no, we’re not just talking about gorging on all the show floor samples, late night karaoke sessions with Dan’l, or catching the Texas A&M vs. Alabama highlights in the smart booths that have TVs. There’s an amazing lineup of speakers, events and team building opportunities to get excited about this year. Here are some of our top picks!

1. Team building at Disney Land

If you’ve been to the Fresh Summit expo in years past, you’ve probably already made some amazing memories with your team in Anaheim at Disney Land. Make sure to take advantage of the show’s location and take your team out to bond and build rapport with each other at this huge attraction. Reservations are already filling up FAST – so make sure to call TODAY and book your seat at Disney dinner tables!

2. Meeting Students in the Pack Family Career Pathways Program

We’re HUGE supporters of the Pack Family Career Pathways program, and we’ve seen the difference it makes in students’ careers first hand. These students are ready to soak up your knowledge and expertise on the produce industry like a little sponge. Be sure and look for these bright young minds on the show floor and take the time to introduce yourself. You never know who could potentially be a future star in our industry.

3. Running in the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent 5K

What a better way to kick off a successful day on the show floor than with a run in beautiful California? It has long been proven that starting your day with exercise increases mood and productivity throughout the day. And lucky for Fresh Summit attendees, we can get our exercise in with hundreds of our fellow industry members. Let’s get ready to cheer and encourage each other through the finish line! Plus, free breakfast after. #WIN.

4. New Packaging Innovations

We see packaging as the retail gateway to the consumer, and every year we’re awed by the cutting-edge innovations in packaging our industry showcases. We’re excited to see all the packaging from the Impact Award finalists first hand at the show, and we can’t wait to see who takes home the grand prize!

5. Claire Shipman Speaking at the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast

Each year, the Women’s Fresh Perspectives event brings in exceptional speakers, and this year is no different. Journalist and best-selling author Claire Shipman is coming to give us her career insights while we enjoy a delicious breakfast. (We’re ALWAYS excited about food!) We cannot wait to glean valuable inspiration from her!

6. Hearing Digital Marketing Guru Gary Vaynerchuck Speak

Fresh produce marketers ought to be extra excited about this one: Gary Vaynerchuck, Co-Founder and CEO of VaynerMedia is leading the General Session on Sunday and we CAN’T WAIT. We’re so pumped to hear Gary V. talk to marketers in the industry about the importance of content and context when it comes to their digital marketing. This session is a can’t miss if you’re a marketer in any capacity in this industry!

7. Sampling Sensory Experience Finalists at the Fresh Ideas In Action Reception

Have we mentioned we’re always excited about food? But in all seriousness, we’re really looking forward to all of PMA’s events that increase exposure and ROI for the exhibitors. It’s our first year to attend this particular reception, but based on last year’s Sensory Experience winners and the entries we’ve heard rumors about, this is going to be a highlight!

8. Speaking During Friday’s Educational Sessions

Shameless plug or not, we’re really looking forward to the opportunity to speak Friday morning during the education session “Competitive Marketing in a Digital Age.” Our team will be sharing savvy marketing tools fresh produce marketers need to increase consumer connections in the digital space! Rumor has it there could be a song or two to kick off the 8:45 am session!

9. Watching Brock and All of Our Industry Riders Finish the Tour de Fresh

New to Fresh Summit this year, the Tour de Fresh “cycling for a cause” event well end with an arrival ceremony and press event on Thursday that you won’t want to miss. Onlookers can cheer on the riders completing the 275 mile bike ride for the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative, which fresh produce sponsors will receive some great exposure with trade and local media! Come out and make sure to cheer on your fellow industry members and support the cause and media awareness for FRESH!

10. Watching DMA First Timers Experience the Beauty and Awe of Our Industry

This year at Fresh Summit, we have a couple of first timers headed to the expo and we couldn’t be more excited to watch them walk onto the show floor for the first time. Remember your first time walking into Fresh Summit – what were the feelings and thoughts racing through your head? If you have advice for our bright-eyed first time attendees, we’d love for you to leave your thoughts in the comments below!

What are you most excited about for Fresh Summit this year? Make sure you come to the show prepared by taking advantage of these helpful tools so that you have some time to enjoy all of the fun events Fresh Summit has to offer!

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