United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) has opened registration for the United Fresh 2009, April 21-24 in Las Vegas, Nevada. One of the highlights of the 2009 show will be the keynote address delivered by Steve Forbes, president, CEO and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine.
A two-time presidential candidate, Forbes oversees the magazine that bears his grandfather’s name, and also chairs the company’s American Heritage division, including American Heritage magazine, American Legacy and American Heritage of Invention & Technology. A four-time Crystal Owl Award winner, Forbes has launched Forbes FYI, Forbes ASAP, Forbes Global, the Gilder Technology Report, and Forbes.com and served as Honorary Chairman of Americans for Hope, Growth and Opportunity and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Empower America, as well as numerous academic and philanthropic boards.
The 2009 United Fresh show will focus on a central theme of Produce Innovation, Fresh Meals and Technology Solutions and be held at the Sands MegaCenter with The Palazzo Hotel serving as the headquarters hotel.
United Fresh President Tom Stenzel previewed the 2009 show, saying, “The team at United Fresh is thrilled to hit the ground running on this year’s show. We feel that we’ve combined the successful elements of years past with some exciting and unique new offerings into what promises to be one of the most valuable business opportunities of the year.”
United Fresh 2009 will include two shows united under one roof. Fresh Marketplace will feature produce products and marketing concepts, while Fresh Tech will showcase the latest in manufacturing, food safety and processing technologies. Attendees at the 2009 show will include representatives from retail, foodservice, c-stores, growers, shippers, wholesalers, distributors, fresh-cut processors, food safety systems providers, equipment manufacturers and more. Click here for a list of exhibitors.
United Fresh 2009 will also include numerous educational and networking opportunities, including an opening reception at popular nightspot Tao Beach along with a similar reception on the show’s floor, a golf tournament to benefit the United Fresh Research & Education Foundation, the Reception Honoring the Women in Produce, as well as the Chairman’s Reception & Awards Banquet, recognizing leadership in both foodservice and retail produce management.
New this year, The Global Conference on Food Safety Standards is a post-show conference examining produce food safety audits, auditing systems and methods for ensuring compliance with global safety standards. This two-day conference will look at how the industry can best provide assurance of good food safety practices, without duplication of standards and costs. A separate registration is required for this post-show event.