“The show has definitely grown since my first experience and we feel strongly about supporting and representing our region,” Pape said. “As with most trade shows, it’s all about getting that face-to-face communication with the people you mostly email with and getting in front of prospective customers and vendors. It also gives us a chance to showcase any new items and give updates on anything new going on with the company. It’s definitely a good touch-base for post-Thanksgiving and pre-holiday communication.”       

This year, Donio will be located at booth No. 344, which is almost directly in the middle of show floor. 

“We like to bring a mix of items from blueberries to organic veg, as hands-on examples of what we can do,” Pape said. “We will also be bringing some of our newer items so they can be seen in person. We also have our digital backdrop for visuals of each aspect of our company, so you can take 1-2 minutes and get a quick refresher on the scope of our business.”  

Members from Donio’s sales, marketing, ownership and management will all be present at the show. 

“It’s good to have representation from multiple areas so we can make the most of any conversation,” Pape said. “Our strategy is typically a mix of scheduled meetings along with booth time for more spontaneous interactions.”

In 2025, the company has noticed an increase in value-add items, continuing a trend of recent years.  

“We have our own production department and packing equipment, so along with bulk produce we’re able to pack value-add items with pretty high efficiency and turn-around times when needed,” Pape said.

As those attending prepare for the show, they expect to be talking about what’s ahead for the spring and summer. 

“We’ll have a couple months left in our import blueberry program so there will be some touching base on that,” Pape said. “We’ll also be talking about continuing some of our more niche seasonal items and going over anything new we’re looking to test out in the coming season. It’s always good to get a buzz going about new offerings and get some early feedback.”

 High quality and productive conversations are probably the top thing that makes a show successful in Pape’s opinion.

“Booth traffic is great, but it’s quality over quantity,” she said. “Making and strengthening partnerships is what’s it’s all about. And making sure we’re showcasing everything we have to offer whether its newer items, coming soon items, or our more established items.”

Heading into 2026, Donio is focused on continuing and growing its stronger year-round programs. 

“We have pretty well-established programs with our retail partners and we keep expanding every year,” Pape said. “We’re also continuing to invest in packaging innovation and digital brand storytelling so the look and feel of our products match the level of quality behind them. We’re in the beginning phases of some larger projects for our brand and we’re really excited about where that’s headed.”

Behind the scenes, it’s continuing to invest in the fundamentals like being ahead of what’s coming for traceability requirements, cleaner data and more streamlined internal systems. 

“Overall, our 2026 goal is about fine tuning and adapting what we already do well and grow in a way that feels intentional and sustainable,” Pape said.