The Southeast Produce Council announced plans for this year’s Southern Innovations Symposium, to be held Sept. 17-19 in Charleston, SC. The symposium will offer an agenda designed to provide the industry with the most cutting-edge information as well as and high-profile celebrity keynote speakers. Additionally, the new Bright Ideas Platform will be launched.

Kicking off Sept. 17, the conference will begin with a hands-on networking activity for the ladies of Southern Roots.Jamie and Bobby Deen, sons of the ‘Queen of Southern Cuisine,’ Paula Deen, will be the featured keynote speakers at the Sept. 18 General Session in Charleston, SC. Facilitated by personal and professional career coach Barbara Poole of Success Builders, attendees will be challenged to help each other identify ways to achieve greater contribution and fulfillment by integrating their lives with their livelihoods to establish a work-life balance.

On Sept. 18, attendees will welcome Frank Singleton from Frank Singleton Communications to discuss the ever-changing world of business and marketing during the educational session. With more than 25 years of experience, Singleton has led successful public relations and brand-building programs for some of the world’s leading brands with achievements resulting in more than 40 awards spanning several industry organizations.

As leaders in culinary innovation, the SEPC is proud to announce that Jamie and Bobby Deen, sons of the “Queen of Southern Cuisine” Paula Deen, will be featured as this year’s keynote speakers at the General Session Luncheon on Sept. 18. As entrepreneurs and businessmen themselves, the Deen brothers are taking the Deen name to an ever-growing younger audience looking to expand their culinary endeavors and have fun in the kitchen.

On Sept. 18 from 12:30 p.m.  to 3 p.m., the new Bright Ideas Platform will feature some of the most innovative products and services the industry has to offer. The smaller trade show-like environment will showcase no more than 50 tables of the most exceptional ideas coming to market later this year. All attendees of the conference are invited to walk the show, which will feature a few innovative surprises of its own, and pick up a complimentary signed copy of the Deen brothers’ new cookbook, Get Fired Up.

“Regardless of the industry, the way we think about and run our businesses must change to not only keep up, but stay ahead of the game,” said David Sherrod, executive director of the SEPC. “The Southern Innovations Symposium has been revamped to provide attendees with the tools and resources they need to effectively educate their companies on how to move forward, as well as provide a great platform for quality networking.”

With a variety of educational opportunities lined up, the Southern Innovations Symposium still has plenty of time for its industry-loved networking. Kicking off with a beachside Get Acquainted Welcome Reception on the evening of Sept. 17, moving indoors for a more formal President’s Dinner Dance on Sept. 18, and rooting for a favorite team at the Ultimate Tailgate Party on Sept. 19, the weekend has a variety of occasions to meet some new faces and catch up with some established ones.

The conference will also host a variety of networking activities to provide attendees with a taste of Charleston. From the Ken Lanhardt Memorial Golf Tournament to inshore fishing, or a horse-drawn carriage ride and lunch in downtown Charleston, there is something for everyone looking for a little southern charm.

In addition to the events mentioned, the SEPC will also be using the conference to commemorate five years of their STEP-UPP program with a reunion of all classes on Wednesday night, Sept. 16. To register for this year’s Southern Innovations Symposium, visit seproducecouncil.com.