Innovation is the theme of this year’s Re:fresh Conference because we, like many of you, understand that unless we embrace change and move forward, we will not succeed. In this Olympic year I have been intrigued by the extensive historical footage shown on TV of games going back to the middle of the last century and the extraordinary change that has taken place as athletes strive to improve their performance.

In the same vein, there are areas of our industry that are hardly recognisable as businesses wake up to the fact that if you stand still you are very quickly overtaken. It is crucial to use new techniques, new equipment and new regimes in order to produce the best possible performance and maintain a high level of competition. Our amazing conference speaker line up has done exactly that and we have some of the most exciting, innovative characters in our industry on stage providing an insight in short, soundbite presentations.

As an active partner of Re:fresh, we have researched industry conferences and awards events. Feedback from members of our sector shows that getting together to share information in a meaningful forum is immensely popular; it’s all about networking, and the record number of entries we received for the awards competition proves that acknowledging and celebrating achievement is good for business. We have developed a different conference format to deliver a fast-paced, interactive programme, calling on some of our biggest and most successful members to tell you how innovation has helped them stay on top. You can chat with them over lunch or have a drink with them at the bar in the expo area -meet old friends and make new ones.

With an opening speech from Chinese minister counsellor Zhou Xiaoming, our outstanding line-up of innovators includes celebrity chef Theo Randall, Morrisons’ Andy Garton, Fresh Direct’s Nigel Harris, Covent Garden Market Authority’s Jan Lloyd, Keelings’ Caroline Keeling, Delifresh’s Noel Kershaw, Florette’s Neil Sanderson, Albert Bartlett’s Colin Smith, Thanet Earth’s Judy Whittaker, Bray Leino PR’s Dom Lane and Pr3 Prophet Business Solutions’ Peter Dent.

Meet our awards compere James Martin at the drinks reception and celebrate with us the biggest achievers in 14 categories with an outstanding menu showcasing the best fresh produce, designed by Intercontinental head chef Paul Bates. Buy your ticket at www.refresh.uk.com/register.

Since I joined the FPC in 2004 we have applied the same innovative rules and we have changed the face of the industry’s trade association immeasurably. We have increased our membership and raised our profile by keeping pace with changing times - we’ve gone global with an impressive embassy portfolio, working closely with the countries you want to trade with and, above all, we continue to listen to you to understand what is important to you and your business in 2012. See you at Re:fresh! -