The Center for Growing Talent by PMA will host its first 2016 event dedicated to women’s leadership development when the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference convenes April 17-19 in San Diego.

“Simply put, women leaders are good for business,” Margi Prueitt, executive director of the Center for Growing Talent by PMA (formerly the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent), said in a press release. “Research shows that women leaders can help companies excel in a variety of ways, from connecting with consumers to increasing return on sales and operating results.”

The 2016 conference combines education and networking in a packed agenda. Education will include in-depth general sessions, workshops tailored to particular career stages (emerging, middle and executive), and short Lightning Learning Labs during the lunch break.

“The beauty of this conference is that it is designed specifically for women in the fresh produce and floral industry at all career stages,” Alex Jackson of Frieda’s Specialty Produce, co-chair of the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Committee, said in the release. “This year’s agenda was designed to not only deliver leadership development that attendees won’t find anywhere else, but also to inspire them to aspire to more.”

The conference agenda also features groundbreaking women speakers addressing a broad range of topics. Keynote speaker and Enron whistleblower Sherron Watkins will discuss from firsthand experience what happens when leaders don’t ensure a sound system of values and ethics, and the difficult aftermath that can follow. General Session speaker Dede Murcer Moffett will encourage attendees to not just step out of their box but to kick it to the curb, and step into the spotlight with courage.

Other education topics include 10 steps for making a quantum leap at life and at work, how to make stronger first impressions that have lasting value, how to harness your own communication style to get heard, and how to recognize and address unconscious bias.

“I’d like to say to every woman who’s wondering why she should attend this event, this year: Attend to learn from top speakers, attend to acquire skills and tools you can put to work tomorrow, and attend for the priceless networking and relationships that will serve you for a lifetime,” Jill Overdorf of Cooseman’s L.A. Shipping and co-chair of the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Committee, said in the release. “You’ll never be the same again.”

The conference has been very popular every year since its inception, so interested persons are urged to register early.

“It’s a great way to learn valuable development tools and meet a group of great, successful women in our industry,” said past attendee Julie DeWolf of Sunkist Growers, which is Presenting Sponsor of the 2016 conference.

Center for Growing Talent by PMA has two other Women’s Fresh Perspectives events planned this year: Women’s Fresh Perspectives Networking Reception at PMA’s 2016 Foodservice Conference, July 30 in Monterey, CA; and the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Leadership Breakfast at Fresh Summit, Oct. 14 in Orlando, FL. For more information, visit http://www.growingtalentbypma.org/womens-fresh-perspectives/.