I believe a successful conference is gauged in the main by the enthusiasm of the audience, whether programme and speakers maintain interest and positive feedback from both speaker and delegate. Re:fresh 2012 succeeded on all of the above with overwhelmingly great feedback and very little criticism.

An average conference can expect to lose around 20 per cent of its audience after lunch and as much as 40 per cent before the last session, so to counteract these statistics we purposely moved away from tradition and produced a fast-paced, punchy programme with speakers handpicked from among the industry’s most successful businesses, each with a great passion for their sector. And it worked - we held the audience right up to the end with no ‘sleepers’ or absentees!

As for feedback, we didn’t circulate a survey but simply networked and asked you and you did not disappoint in giving us your views, either on the day or in the aftermath. So, I would like to personally thank our sponsors, speakers and delegates for your time and positive comments - in a time when folk are quick to criticise and slow to praise you, it confirmed that we are on the right track to deliver what you want. If you are interested in speaking or taking a stand in 2013, get in touch.

My sincere congratulations to the finalists and winners of the awards - you raise the bar every year with the standard of entries you submit and the judges were impressed again by your expertise and enthusiasm. The decision was very close in several categories, so if you weren’t successful make sure you try again next year. Competing is healthy, winning is praise for achievement, and the ability to turn disappointment into determination to succeed is a sign of great character. You make the awards worthwhile, you drive the judges’ dedication to the task and I look forward immensely to next year.

The event is popular and well attended, feedback was great and compere and fellow Yorkshireman James Martin went down a storm both on and off stage. The spontaneous standing ovation for the wonderful Tom Hilliard OBE was extremely moving and congratulations to rising star Jason Ram from Dole for the coveted Young Person of the Year Award. Mindful that we can always improve, we have great ideas for next year, so watch this space and put 16 May 2013 in your diary.

Following on from our Savoy Annual Dinner, we’re off to China in June with a team of FPC members who either currently trade or are interested in trading in fresh produce with China. Kindly hosted by the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province and Weihai Municipal Bureau, we will visit fruit and veg producers as well as attending the Weihai International Food Fair. Our merry band of members provide humour and wit alongside a genuine desire to increase trade - we look forward to building Anglo/Chinese relations and a whole lot of fun! -