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Bright Ideas Platform debuts at SEPC symposium

CHARLESTON, SC — The Southeast Produce Council debuted its Bright Ideas Platform Friday afternoon, Sept. 18, part of its annual Southern Innovations Symposium. The symposium, formerly known as the fall conference, was held at the Wild Dunes Resort Sept. 17-19, here.

With a new, smaller approach to trade shows, the concept of the Bright Ideas Platform was to provide exhibitors and attendees the ability to be the first introduced to the newest and most innovative products and services the industry has to offer. With a total of 42 exhibitors, the exhibit hall was set up similar to a mini-trade show, giving attendees an opportunity to see new and innovative ideas within the industry, according to the council's literature.

The exhibit hall for the Bright Ideas Platform was open from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and the hall was packed, prompting Faye Westfall, chairperson of the 2015 Southern Innovations Symposium, to declare, "I think we're going to have to have a bigger room for this next year!"

Westfall, director of sales at DiMare Fresh Tampa and secretary of the Southeast Produce Council's board of directors, said that the Bright Ideas Platform gave attendees "a sneak peak at some new items" and gave exhibitors a venue "to showcase new items now" and follow up later. "That's all added value for our membership," she stated.

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