Along with a full schedule of events, both educational and social, that has always marked the Southeast Produce Council’s fall conference, the council has announced that Bobby Bowden, Florida State University’s legendary football coach, will deliver the keynote speech Sept. 27 at the general session of the 2013 conference.

This year’s fall conference is scheduled for Sept. 26-28, at the Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach, SC, Bobby Bowdena new venue for the event.

Last year’s fall conference drew 252 attendees, according to SPC Executive Director Terry Vorhees. But with the new venue, an exciting keynote speaker and all the other activities planned, “This year we could hit 300,” Vorhees told The Produce News. “And the weather in late September should be ideal.”

After some internal meetings Thursday, Sept. 26, the 2013 fall conference will kick off officially that evening with a get-acquainted cocktail party, as it has the last few years.

On Friday, Sept. 27, there will be two educational workshops. The first is titled “Best Hiring Practices: What Can You Do to Retain Talent?” and will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

The second, “Locally Grown Produce — Direct from the State Agriculture Departments,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Representatives from Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina will participate in this workshop, said Vorhees, and he was hoping that reps from one or two additional states would agree to participate as well.

The general session, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., will feature Coach Bowden’s speech, as noted.

Bowden, 83, coached football at FSU from 1976 to 2009, retiring after the 2009 season. He holds the NCAA record for most career wins and bowl wins by a Division 1-FBS coach.

Also at the general session, SPC President Andrew Scott of General Produce Inc. will give the annual state-of-the-council report, and committee chairs will give brief reports on their respective committees’ programs.

The Sponsors VIP reception will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by the President’s Dinner Dance, from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

At the dinner dance, the election of new board members and officers will take place; the council also will recognize its major sponsors and the 2013 graduating class from the Southeast Training Education Program for Upcoming Produce Professionals, known commonly as STEP-UPP.

There will be a variety of exciting social activities on Saturday for attendees. The 14th annual Ken Lanhardt Memorial Golf Tournament will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Shaftesbury Glen Golf Club, followed by the golf awards reception from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For non-golfers, the Sporting Clays Tournament will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Backwoods Quail Club.

The spouse program will feature a tour of La Belle Amie Vineyard, a 15-minute ride from the hotel, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The fall conference will conclude with the Ultimate Tailgate & Margaritaville Party from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

For additional information, contact the Southeast Produce Council at 706/276-4025.