For the fourth year, the Pear Bureau Northwest will co-locate with other partners at the U.S. Fresh Fruit Booth during Fruit Logistica.

“This allows us to have a larger, more centrally located presence and provide private meeting space for our industry members,” said Lynsey Kennedy, international marketing manager of the Pear Bureau Northwest. “It also makes our booth more of a destination within the USA Pavilion.”

The other partners coming together at Hall 23, Booth A-02 are the California Table Grape Commission, California Pear Advisory Board and U.S. Apple Export Council.

In addition to Kennedy, President Kevin Moffitt, International Marketing Director Jeff Correa and many of the bureau’s international marketing representatives will be available to talk with attendees.

“The show is a great opportunity to meet with our contacts from all over the world that attend — not just Europe, but also Russia, India, the Middle East and Brazil,” said Kennedy. “The timing is good because the majority of our varieties are still in season. So we can have a good display and introduce the trade to varieties that they may not be familiar with.”

Fruit Logistica is also a good time for the bureau to find out how the season has gone to date and work with contacts to help them finish out the season.

“For example, Russia has had a great season so far, bringing in over 300,000 boxes through November, up 121 percent from last year,” she said. “So it’s a great time to meet with them, thank them for their support, and continue to build on that success.”

During the convention, the Pear Bureau plans to talk about upcoming activities and opportunities to provide promotional support with the various trade members.

“We always encourage the trade to carry varieties in addition to Green Anjou, such as Red Anjou and Bosc,” Kennedy said. “This season, we have a larger crop as well as larger-sized pears. So we are discussing trying one size up from what the market typically takes and also carrying two sizes of pears to give consumers more options.”

Attendees will have a chance to sample fresh, ripe pears. “We will be co-hosting a happy hour reception with the other partners at our booth on one of the afternoons to close the show for the day,” Kennedy added. “Importers, retailers and other key trade contacts, as well as our shippers, are invited to attend.”