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Southeast Produce Council will have A Whole Lotta Produce Going On in 2015

Starting with 2015 Southern Exposure in Orlando, FL, then heading to Atlanta for the Terry Vorhees Charity Golf Classic, and rounding out the year with the newly named fall conference — Southern Innovations Symposium in Charleston, SC — the Southeast Produce Council has a great lineup of locations and events planned to bring the industry together in 2015.2015-SEPC-Southern-Exposure-Gator-Logo

"We are looking forward to a record-setting year across all events that will provide our members with exceptional networking opportunities, the latest educational information in the industry, and a continued effort to give back to communities and students in the southeast," SEPC Executive Director David Sherrod said in a Jan. 5 press release.

The council invites all retail and foodservice, as well as SEPC members, to attend this year's conference and trade show — 2015 Southern Exposure: Feb. 26-28, Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL — and join in the fun of "A Whole Lotta Produce Going On" as attendees will travel back in time to the 1950s. With 267 exhibitors, over 300 retail and foodservice attendees, and offering the most quality networking opportunities in the industry, Southern Exposure is on track to be the best industry conference of 2015. On Thursday, Feb. 26, the Tom Page Golf Classic at Reunion Resort will be held, as well as the Southern Roots luncheon with special guest speaker Olympian Picabo Street. On Friday, Feb. 27, there will be Educational Workshops: "The Plight of the Honey Bee" and 'Ask A Retailer," as well as the Opening Gala: Drive In Movie: A Whole Lotta Produce Going On. On Saturday, Feb. 28, the following events will take place: there will be a Keynote Luncheon with keynote speech delivered by football great Archie Manning; the Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to the family of Terry Vorhees; Exposition - Drive-in and county fair themed; and Gator Moon Closing Reception (dueling piano bar theme).

In addition to the main events listed, some of the new conference highlights this year will be the introduction of the 2015 STEP-UPP class and the 2015 STARS scholarship recipients, both of which will be in attendance.TV-SEPC-Charity-Golf-Logo-FINAL-5-29-14 The council is also continuing its community outreach efforts with Sneakers for Charity, a new program inviting attendees to wear their sneakers to the expo for a donation that will go back to the Society of St. Andrew to feed the hungry. To register for 2015 Southern Exposure, visit www.sepcsouthernexpsoure.com.

The Southeast Produce Council's new women's leadership program, Southern Roots, will make its official debut to the industry by hosting a luncheon that features Olympian Picabo Street as a special guest speaker. Southern Roots, chaired by SEPC board member Teri Miller of Delhaize, offers meaningful connections among women working in the produce industry through events, education and mentoring. By sharing values, contributions and experiences, members will have an opportunity to improve leadership skills individually and collectively, and will then positively affect organizational effectiveness at all levels. Southern Roots is open to all women working in the produce industry that are members of the Southeast Produce Council.

The second annual Terry Vorhees Charity Golf Classic will be held May 4- 5 this year at the Atlanta National Golf Club in Alpharetta, GA. The tournament will honor Terry Vorhees, the council's past Executive Director. The tournament will benefit one of the council's supported charities, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and invites all retail and foodservice personnel, as well as SEPC members, to participate in golf, networking and giving back. The event will host a silent auction and dinner on May 4 and provide a day of golf on May 5. Registration for the Terry Vorhees Charity Golf Classic will be open in mid-January at www.seproducecouncil.com.

The Southern Innovations Symposium will be held Sept. 17-19 at Wild Dunes Resort in Charleston, SC. The council's newly named Southern Innovations Symposium will offer all of the old favorites of the fall conference, but with a fresh new look and name. The conference will be held on the beautiful beaches of Charleston, SC, in 2015, offering attendees a true feel of southern hospitality. Golf, educational workshops, a keynote luncheon and the President's Dinner Dance will be on the agenda, along with a variety of networking opportunities. Registration for the Southern Innovations Symposium will be available in mid-January at www.seproducecouncil.com.

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