Freshconex business Forum 2010

Nearly 100 leading fresh produce convenience companies from 18 nations will be brought together under one roof for the first time at Freshconex 2011.

All exhibitors present at Freshconex as well as exhibitors from the concurrent Fruit Logistica who exhibit convenience products are part of the new Freshconex Route.

On 9-11 February 2011, the unique business and information platform in Europe for this dynamic sector will present an excellent market overview of fresh produce convenience products and services.

The Freshconex Route offers trade visitors direct access to the most important companies. The route pinpoints all key exhibitors, including fresh convenience product suppliers, as well as companies specialising in packaging and processing technologies or food safety.

Covering more than 3,600m2 of exhibition space, Freshconex will be held in Halls 7.2a, 7.2b and 7.2c, offering its own entrance and is at the same time perfectly integrating into the Fruit Logistica visitor rounds.

Another attraction at Freshconex 2011 will be the Convenience Bar in Hall 7.2b, where trade visitors can enjoy a range of fresh fruit and vegetable convenience products.

Freshconex 2011 exhibitors in the 'Fresh Convenience Products and Ingredients' segment include Aureli Mario (Italy), Bonatura AG (Switzerland), Fructofresh (Poland) and True Fruits GmbH (Germany).

In the 'Product Packaging and Fresh Convenience Processing Technology' segment, exhibitors include Best N.V. (Belgium), CFS Cellpack (France), Food Technology Noord-Oost Nederland B.V. (Netherlands) and Raytec Vision S.p.A. (Italy).

Exhibitors in the 'Quality and Safety' segment include AgriCoat (United Kingdom) and FOOD Freshly AFC (Germany). As a leading supplier of fresh convenience products, the Netherlands will be represented with a joint stand at Freshconex 2011.

Along with the exhibition stands included on the Freshconex Route, the Business Forum (Hall 7.2a) presents the latest information and current trends in this growth market in a series of compact, half-hour presentations by leading industry experts. The Business Forum is organised by Fresh Convenience Magazine (UK) in cooperation with the United Fresh Produce Association (US). The following provides an overview of the programme.

WEDNESDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2011

Developing new market opportunities for food service

On the first day of the trade fair the Business Forum presents new market opportunities in commercial food services and catering. The hotel, restaurant and catering sector (HORECA) is one of the primary purchasers of fresh produce convenience products. Convenience is a key component for continued growth in this industry. Industry experts will discuss the HORECA market potential along with the challenges and opportunities in Europe's largest market segment.

10.00 – 10.30 am
The food service market in the European Union
Peter Backman, Horizons

11.00 – 11.30 am
Taking advantage of Germany’s huge HORECA sector
Friedhelm Balmes, GARTENFRISCH Jung GmbH

1.00 – 1.30 pm
Opportunities for fresh produce convenience in mass catering
Steve Grinstead, Pro*Act, Raina Nelson, Rosemont Farms

2.00 – 2.30 pm
New product development at food service
Steffanie Smith, River Point Farms, Daniel Kretzschmar, Nunhems

THURSDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2011

New profit channels for fresh produce convenience products

The focus on the second day of the Business Forum is on new marketing opportunities for fresh produce convenience products. On 10 February, the Freshconex Business Forum will host a group of experts presenting discussion topics ranging from emerging market opportunities in Europe and the special growth potential in northern Europe, to new product lines designed to attract consumer attention and boost retail sales.

10.00 – 10.30 am
New profit channels for fresh produce convenience products
Kim & Eric Gaarde, Fruit Dynamics

11.00 – 11.30 am
Securing new retail growth in mature markets for fresh produce convenience
Paddy Callaghan, Nature's Best

1.00 – 1.30 pm
From soups to sliced apples: new product development in the fresh produce convenience category
Tony Freytag, Crunch Pak Sliced Apples,
Giuseppe Battagliola, La Linea Verde

2.00 – 2.30 pm
Feeding a new generation: maximising fresh-cut sales to children
Tony Freytag, Crunch Pak Sliced Apples
Tom Stenzel, United Fresh Produce Association

FRIDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 2011
Staying at the cutting edge of fresh produce convenience

The latest trends and innovations in fresh produce convenience products will be presented at the Business Forum on 11 February. Highly perishable fresh produce demands ongoing technical innovations for processing, packaging, refrigeration and logistics. The new challenges ahead and the advanced solutions needed to master them will be discussed by experts in their Business Forum presentations.

10.00 – 10.30 am
Next steps for packaging technology in fresh produce convenience
Jeff Brandenburg, The JSB Group

11.00 – 11.30 am
Securing improvements in the logistics chain for fresh produce convenience
Mark Sementilli, Bunzl

1.00 – 1.30 pm
Distribution chain and traceability solutions for the fresh-cut convenience sector
Harrij Schmeitz, Frug I Com/Imtech

2.00 – 2.30 pm
Understanding today's global produce safety landscape
David Gombas, United Fresh Produce Association