Everything set for SPC's second annual event in Tampa, Florida
Everything set for SPC's second annual event in Tampa, Florida
The speakers are set, the exhibitors are ready to showcase their products, the tours are in place and registration is up from last year. In other words, everything is positioned to make this year?s Southeast Produce Council conference and expo a success.
?We?re real pleased," SPC Executive Director Terry Vorhees told The Produce News Feb. 24, referring to all aspects of the council?s second annual Retail & Foodservice Conference, March 10-12 in Tampa, FL. There will be 132 exhibitors in Tampa, he said, up from 109 last year in Lakeland, FL. Those exhibitors represent about 350 people, and another 150 or so are expected from the retail, foodservice and other sectors of the industry. "And I have a feeling that the number will fall around 550," he said. Last year?s inaugural event drew about 450.
But Mr. Vorhees is determined that future growth in the council?s premier event come about gradually to maintain the intimacy and relaxed atmosphere its members currently enjoy.
?We don?t ever want this to get so large as to take away from the intimacy of the show," he said. "The relaxed atmosphere allows [exhibitors] to spend good time and quality time with the people who are there. Next year and in the future, I believe we?ll keep the number [of exhibitors] to 150."
To allow everyone enough time on the show floor, the expo hours have been increased to five hours this year, up from four last year, and Mr. Vorhees said that "we?ll look at six hours next year so we?re not cutting anybody short."
One highlight of the Tampa event should be a retailer panel discussion entitled "How Can Suppliers Develop Value-Added Partnerships with Retailers Today?? Moderated by keynote speaker Harold Lloyd, the panel?s four participants will be Bob Denomme of BI-LO Inc., Tom Holbert of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Stephen Rodriguez of Sobey?s Inc. and Rick Steigerwald of Supervalu Inc.
?I think this session will be real good," said Mr. Vorhees. "We?ve got a varied group of retail people on this panel."
Two hotels are being utilized for the event: the Riverwalk Hotel and the Wyndham Harbor Island Hotel. New this year will be shuttle buses, which will take attendees from their hotel to the convention center, as well as from the Wyndham to the Riverwalk for the opening reception.
A golf tournament and "Buccaneer Bash Farewell Party? will round out the social aspects of the event.
For those who like to plan ahead, the council will hold its third conference and expo March 2-4, 2006 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
And while future dates have not been confirmed, Mr. Vorhees said that the council is planning to hold its 2007 conference in Orlando, FL, and its 2008 conference back in Tampa, both slated for early March.
?We?re real pleased," SPC Executive Director Terry Vorhees told The Produce News Feb. 24, referring to all aspects of the council?s second annual Retail & Foodservice Conference, March 10-12 in Tampa, FL. There will be 132 exhibitors in Tampa, he said, up from 109 last year in Lakeland, FL. Those exhibitors represent about 350 people, and another 150 or so are expected from the retail, foodservice and other sectors of the industry. "And I have a feeling that the number will fall around 550," he said. Last year?s inaugural event drew about 450.
But Mr. Vorhees is determined that future growth in the council?s premier event come about gradually to maintain the intimacy and relaxed atmosphere its members currently enjoy.
?We don?t ever want this to get so large as to take away from the intimacy of the show," he said. "The relaxed atmosphere allows [exhibitors] to spend good time and quality time with the people who are there. Next year and in the future, I believe we?ll keep the number [of exhibitors] to 150."
To allow everyone enough time on the show floor, the expo hours have been increased to five hours this year, up from four last year, and Mr. Vorhees said that "we?ll look at six hours next year so we?re not cutting anybody short."
One highlight of the Tampa event should be a retailer panel discussion entitled "How Can Suppliers Develop Value-Added Partnerships with Retailers Today?? Moderated by keynote speaker Harold Lloyd, the panel?s four participants will be Bob Denomme of BI-LO Inc., Tom Holbert of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Stephen Rodriguez of Sobey?s Inc. and Rick Steigerwald of Supervalu Inc.
?I think this session will be real good," said Mr. Vorhees. "We?ve got a varied group of retail people on this panel."
Two hotels are being utilized for the event: the Riverwalk Hotel and the Wyndham Harbor Island Hotel. New this year will be shuttle buses, which will take attendees from their hotel to the convention center, as well as from the Wyndham to the Riverwalk for the opening reception.
A golf tournament and "Buccaneer Bash Farewell Party? will round out the social aspects of the event.
For those who like to plan ahead, the council will hold its third conference and expo March 2-4, 2006 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
And while future dates have not been confirmed, Mr. Vorhees said that the council is planning to hold its 2007 conference in Orlando, FL, and its 2008 conference back in Tampa, both slated for early March.
