DNE World Fruit LLC, headquartered in Fort Pierce, FL, will promote Florida red and white grapefruit and Valencia oranges at the 2015 Southern Exposure Conference & Expo, being held at the Caribe Royale All Suite Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando, FL, on Feb. 26-28.

“We will have some of these varieties on hand at the expo,” said Mark Hanks, vice president of sales and marketing, North America. “During the expo, DNE World Fruit will also be highlighting some of its upcoming varieties from South Africa, Chile, Australia, Peru, Uruguay and Mexico. The summer citrus season will kick off in mid-May and run through October.”

A variety of ‘Ocean Spray’ branded citrus fruits from DNE World Fruit.The company, Hanks added, also hopes to have samples of its Moroccan nours and afourers  on hand at Southern Exposure, as well as some of the Israeli Orri’s that it packs under its “Ocean Spray” brand, pointing out that, “We want to give our retail customers a chance  to taste the difference of these varieties.”

DNE World Fruit will be exhibiting at Booth No. 404 at Southern Exposure. In addition to Hanks, the company’s team at the show will include Barbara Anderson, marketing and promotions manager; Stu Monaghan, sales manager, Australia and Uruguay; Kevin Swords, sales manager, Florida; and Scott Deyoe, sales manager, Mexico.

DNE World Fruit, Hanks noted, has been a member of SEPC, and has been exhibiting at the Southern Exposure event for 11 years. And some of the staff members have been recognizable figures with SEPC over the years.

“Bob States, sales representative for DNE, is a past SEPC board member,” said Hanks. “Having served the maximum six-year term, he now remains active on the attendance committee, membership/marketing committee and fall conference committee.”

Anderson was elected to SEPC’s board of directors in 2014, and she currently serves as co-chair for the membership/marketing committee. In addition, she serves on the Southeast Top Agricultural Recruits Scholarship, or STARS, Committee.

The goal of STARS is to recruit top students and to introduce them to the many job opportunities the produce industry has to offer.

“As members and sponsors, and being active on the board and committees, the Southern Exposure event provides us with the opportunity to associate with many decision makers of the numerous retail and foodservice members and attendees at the event,” Hanks explained. “And it offers a relaxed and personal atmosphere. Also, the workshops, tours and other educational events have been beneficial to us over the years.”

Staff members from DNE World Fruit are also strong participants in the extracurricular activities at the event, including the golf tournament, gala party, workshops, tours, keynote luncheon, the Produce for Kids program and the VIP Reception.

It also sponsors programs at both the Annual Innovations Symposium, formerly called the Fall Conference, and the Southern Exposure. The company sponsors numerous events year after year.

“DNE staff members are also looking forward to attending the Southern Roots luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 26,” said Hanks.

“This new leadership program for women in produce was officially launched at the SEPC’s 2014 Annual Innovations Symposium, formerly named the Fall Conference.”