Registration, hotels open for IFPA’s Foodservice Conference

Registration and hotel reservations are now open for IFPA's Foodservice Conference, which is set to take place July 27-28 event in Monterey, CA.

The conference, which attracts more than 1,800 members of the full foodservice supply chain, boasted a one-to-one buyer-supplier ratio in 2022, said IFPA’s Joe Watson, vice president of retail, foodservice, wholesale membership. “The energy at this event is off the charts," he said. "When we get buyers and sellers together, business happens.”

Buyers at the event include foodservice operators, distributors, K-12 reps and retail foodservice buyers. Conference attendees will hear expert speakers, participate in field tours, have the opportunity to participate in a buyer sourcing event, and enjoy the most important afternoon in the industry — the expo — all in the inviting location, Monterey.  

“What makes this conference unique is that it is designed exclusively for produce in foodservice,” Watson said. “It’s the place for connections, insights, and innovations that grow our members’ businesses. In fact, it’s the anchor of the foodservice year.

“I’m especially excited about the Buyer Sourcing Meetings, where interested suppliers can get eight to 10 one-on-one meetings with buyers for an additional fee,” he said. Foodservice operator and distributor buyers include Compass/Foodbuy/National Produce FB, Denny’s, Dominos, FreshEdge, Markon, PRO*ACT, Produce Alliance, Restaurant Services, Restaurant Supply Chain Services, Simply Good Jars, Sysco, Texas Roadhouse and U.S. Foods. “Anyone who is interested in participating in these one-on-one buyer-supplier meetings simply needs to contact me at [email protected] or my colleague Andrew Marshall [email protected].”

Past attendees echo Watson’s praise for the event:  

"At U.S. Foods, we will once again bring 50 associates to the best-in-class IFPA Foodservice Conference,” said Jim Richter, president of U.S. Foods. “The event focuses on innovation and important trends. The ability to connect with our partners is second to none. Monterey is the perfect venue for the conference and we receive tremendous value from attending every year."

"The IFPA Foodservice Conference in Monterey is the premier produce networking event of the year focused 100 percent on foodservice,” said Mathew Tate, director of strategic sourcing and CSL for Aramark. “No other show features so many buyers, distributors and growers, all in the heart of the produce industry. If you only attend one event all year, make sure this is it."

"The IFPA Foodservice Conference is such a wonderful yearly conference,” said Melissa Melshenker Ackerman, president of Produce Alliance. “Not only does it provide educational and exhibiting opportunities, but it is like a ‘class reunion’ of all your favorite friends and colleagues. The energy is palpable, and everyone is so open to meet and support the fresh produce Industry. It is for sure a don’t-miss event, and including your colleagues in this conference will only help them feel more connected to the industry."