Big turnout for FPFC Expo
Big turnout for FPFC Expo
ANAHEIM, CA " With an earlier-than-usual date for its annual event and the excitement generated by the fact it will be the focus of a future PBS television special, the Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo, held March 8 at the Disneyland Hotel, here, attracted approximately 1,000 industry professionals.
Retail and foodservice personnel along with produce and floral buyers jammed the aisles to see the latest and greatest from more than 170 companies. A large contingent of Southern California retail chains, selected representatives from national retail companies, foodservice operators and distributors also were on hand to participate in educational seminars prior to the expo.
The retail foodservice seminar featured Ronnie De La Cruz of the Produce Marketing Association, who highlighted ways in which companies could improve and increase sales. The floral sales seminar featured Kurt Schroeder of Floralife Inc. and Rene Van Rems of Rene Van Rems International, who discussed many topics including trends, care and handling, and improving and increasing sales. There were also chef demonstrations and a floral design contest.
Adding to the buzz of the expo was the appearance of PBS personality Huell Howser, who interviewed a number of Expo participants for an upcoming episode of his acclaimed show "California?s Gold," which will be shown on a number of independent PBS stations in the next few months.
Mr. Howser, who was the featured speaker at the event?s keynote awards luncheon, maneuvered deftly through the crowded aisles during the morning portion of the Expo using his down-home conversational style to cull interesting information that will be disseminated to his legions of viewers.
The keynote awards luncheon started with presenting awards to the floral design contest winners and was followed by two prestigious award presentations. Rich Arnesen of Cascade Floral was presented with the FPFC Floral Achievement award, while Marty Craner of B&C Fresh Sales Inc./The California Mushroom Farm received the Norman H. (Buz) Bolstad Produce award.
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council expects to build upon the success of its annual Expo in 2006. Next year, along with the Southern California Expo early in the year, the FPFC is hoping to finalize plans for a Northern California Expo to be held in late summer or early fall.
Retail and foodservice personnel along with produce and floral buyers jammed the aisles to see the latest and greatest from more than 170 companies. A large contingent of Southern California retail chains, selected representatives from national retail companies, foodservice operators and distributors also were on hand to participate in educational seminars prior to the expo.
The retail foodservice seminar featured Ronnie De La Cruz of the Produce Marketing Association, who highlighted ways in which companies could improve and increase sales. The floral sales seminar featured Kurt Schroeder of Floralife Inc. and Rene Van Rems of Rene Van Rems International, who discussed many topics including trends, care and handling, and improving and increasing sales. There were also chef demonstrations and a floral design contest.
Adding to the buzz of the expo was the appearance of PBS personality Huell Howser, who interviewed a number of Expo participants for an upcoming episode of his acclaimed show "California?s Gold," which will be shown on a number of independent PBS stations in the next few months.
Mr. Howser, who was the featured speaker at the event?s keynote awards luncheon, maneuvered deftly through the crowded aisles during the morning portion of the Expo using his down-home conversational style to cull interesting information that will be disseminated to his legions of viewers.
The keynote awards luncheon started with presenting awards to the floral design contest winners and was followed by two prestigious award presentations. Rich Arnesen of Cascade Floral was presented with the FPFC Floral Achievement award, while Marty Craner of B&C Fresh Sales Inc./The California Mushroom Farm received the Norman H. (Buz) Bolstad Produce award.
The Fresh Produce & Floral Council expects to build upon the success of its annual Expo in 2006. Next year, along with the Southern California Expo early in the year, the FPFC is hoping to finalize plans for a Northern California Expo to be held in late summer or early fall.
