The Produce Marketing Association's recent Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition, October 11-15, in New Orleans, Louisiana, welcomed 14,300 delegates.

Highlights from this year's event included a sold-out exhibition, as well as a dynamic educational programme that featured renowned business expert Tom Peters.

On October 12, the International Trade Conference explored a number of global trade issues affecting the fruit and vegetable industries, such as global marketing efforts, food safety standards, global supply chain partnerships, and the emergence of China and India in the world agricultural arena.

On the same day, PMA's FreshTech conference examined how technology is being used to improve the marketing of fruits and vegetables, enhance communications, and integrate the supply chain.

The Fresh Summit Convention began with a general session by author and business observer Dr Tony Alessandra. Following his presentation, workshops about retail consolidation and supply chain partnerships; produce, floral, and consumer marketing trends were held. Tom Peters captivated Fresh Summit participants with his closing general session on October 15, titled 'We're in a Brawl with No Rules.' The Fresh Summit Exhibtion featured 1,900 booths with more than 600 exhibitors from 21 countries covering 511,000 sqft of exhibit space in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Exhibitors showcased an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, new value added and convenience items, and the most innovative ideas in merchandising, packaging, ripening, handling, delivery techniques and technologies, UPCs, hardware, software, and value-added services. Marc de Naeyer, ceo of FTK Holland BV, Bleiswijk, said: 'The value I received from participating in Fresh Summit is that I met a lot of my suppliers from various parts of the world, which enabled me to prepare and/or conclude programs with them. Seeing them all at Fresh Summit either saves me a trip or it will facilitate the discussions when I see them next. PMA is the place to network; nowhere else do you meet so many of your colleagues from all five continents. Fresh Summit is truly a global event.' At Fresh Summit, PMA's new 2002-2003 board of directors took office, led by new chairman Bruce T Peterson, Jr, of Wal-Mart Stores. In addition, PMA unveiled its newest training and resource materials, including a new video/workbook program for supermarket floral departments, and the revised PMA Fresh Produce Manual, which includes information on more commodities than the previous edition.

PMA's Fresh Summit 2003 International Convention & Exposition will be held on October 17-21 in Orlando, Florida. Details about participating in the Exposition are available now on the PMA Web site at http://www.pma.com.