PMA's foodservice conference draws a record attendance
PMA's foodservice conference draws a record attendance
MONTEREY, CA -- Citing a figure of "more than 1,500 attendees," the Produce Marketing Association said that its 2006 Foodservice Conference & Exposition drew record attendance. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the show.
Lorna Christie, PMA's senior vice president of industry products and services, told The Produce News July 19 that the conference had been on pace to exceed last year's numbers for exhibitors, wholesalers, distributors and operators on-site in Monterey. With the exception of exhibitors, PMA did not yet have the final tabulations on those numbers, she said.
In 2005, the conference set a record with 140 exhibitors and edged that out this year with 141 exhibitors. Also in 2005, the conference set a record with 87 operators on-site. Ms. Christie said that there were "over 100" operators on-site this year, a figure that has more than doubled from the 2004 show. The show is increasingly attracting menu developers, Ms. Christie told The Produce News, adding that she is most pleased to see an increase in buyers and "those who influence" buying decisions.
Exhibitors with whom The Produce News spoke appeared pleased by both the quality and quantity of foot traffic to their booths. Ms. Christie said that early feedback was unanimously positive.
River Ranch Fresh Foods Vice President of Marketing Bruce Knobeloch said that overall traffic was good. "We had higher-value discussions and contacts," Mr. Knobeloch said. "Overall it was as good or better than in the past. There was a high level of energy on the floor."
Mr. Knobeloch said that the way the week was shortened this year "had everybody more focused." Because foodservice's role in the fresh produce industry is constantly evolving, the show is a good way for people to keep in touch with changes, he said.
Mike Howarth of Meritech Inc. said that he experienced heavy foot traffic to his booth to hear about Meritech's hand- and foot-bath offerings. "We see a lot of customers who we already have [as customers]," Mr. Howarth said. Rory Cornell of Steinbeck Country Produce said that Steinbeck enjoyed good response and that the more intimate foodservice show was "easier" than PMA's annual convention.
Michael Boggiatto of Boggiatto Produce said that he experienced "great traffic and lots of great comments" on his Iceberg Babies, a variety of Iceberg lettuce that is slightly smaller than a softball.
Nathan Stornetta of Produce Careers Inc. said of Sunday's exhibition floor, "for a five-hour gig, the level of clients is exceptional."
Andrew Cumming, a managing partner in Metz Fresh LLC, said that he was pleased with the level and quality of foot traffic by the Metz Fresh booth. Dennis Donohue of European Vegetable Specialties said that he was impressed with the foot traffic. "I sit on a perch and watch the world go by," Mr. Donohue said. "This is my 18th year exhibiting at this show."
Lorna Christie, PMA's senior vice president of industry products and services, told The Produce News July 19 that the conference had been on pace to exceed last year's numbers for exhibitors, wholesalers, distributors and operators on-site in Monterey. With the exception of exhibitors, PMA did not yet have the final tabulations on those numbers, she said.
In 2005, the conference set a record with 140 exhibitors and edged that out this year with 141 exhibitors. Also in 2005, the conference set a record with 87 operators on-site. Ms. Christie said that there were "over 100" operators on-site this year, a figure that has more than doubled from the 2004 show. The show is increasingly attracting menu developers, Ms. Christie told The Produce News, adding that she is most pleased to see an increase in buyers and "those who influence" buying decisions.
Exhibitors with whom The Produce News spoke appeared pleased by both the quality and quantity of foot traffic to their booths. Ms. Christie said that early feedback was unanimously positive.
River Ranch Fresh Foods Vice President of Marketing Bruce Knobeloch said that overall traffic was good. "We had higher-value discussions and contacts," Mr. Knobeloch said. "Overall it was as good or better than in the past. There was a high level of energy on the floor."
Mr. Knobeloch said that the way the week was shortened this year "had everybody more focused." Because foodservice's role in the fresh produce industry is constantly evolving, the show is a good way for people to keep in touch with changes, he said.
Mike Howarth of Meritech Inc. said that he experienced heavy foot traffic to his booth to hear about Meritech's hand- and foot-bath offerings. "We see a lot of customers who we already have [as customers]," Mr. Howarth said. Rory Cornell of Steinbeck Country Produce said that Steinbeck enjoyed good response and that the more intimate foodservice show was "easier" than PMA's annual convention.
Michael Boggiatto of Boggiatto Produce said that he experienced "great traffic and lots of great comments" on his Iceberg Babies, a variety of Iceberg lettuce that is slightly smaller than a softball.
Nathan Stornetta of Produce Careers Inc. said of Sunday's exhibition floor, "for a five-hour gig, the level of clients is exceptional."
Andrew Cumming, a managing partner in Metz Fresh LLC, said that he was pleased with the level and quality of foot traffic by the Metz Fresh booth. Dennis Donohue of European Vegetable Specialties said that he was impressed with the foot traffic. "I sit on a perch and watch the world go by," Mr. Donohue said. "This is my 18th year exhibiting at this show."
