The Packer's Midwest Produce Conference & Expo
The produce industry's No. 1 source for breaking news, new product information and industry trends, The Packer now brings that depth of expertise to a new trade event, The Midwest Produce Conference and Expo. Set for August 19-21, 2013, Midwest Produce will bring together leading produce industry buyers and sellers in a professional setting in downtown Chicago. By merging a focused conference program, networking events and retail tour with an expo of leading suppliers, Midwest Produce fills a niche in the region for produce growers, shippers, regional retailers and wholesalers.
Why Attend?
The produce industry has demonstrated a significant interest in engaging buyers and sellers at regional events. These events have become popular because of the limited investment of time and money required for participation, the depth of conversation created in a more intimate atmosphere, and the regional focus.
Who Should Attend?
Midwest Produce is designed for retail executives, produce executives and managers, foodservice managers, produce distributors and wholesalers, specialty food retailers, and buyers of produce from any industry.
Who Should Exhibit?
Companies participating in Midwest Produce will include growers, suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and floral. Also included will be packaging and labeling supplies and equipment, produce handling and storage equipment, displays and shelving, shipping and logistics organizations.
Receptions
Midwest Produce will host three receptions to give conference participants an opportunity to network with their peers. These receptions will also feature special menus created for Midwest Produce.
Cause Marketing Opening Reception & Exhibits
Open the conference by joining your colleagues for an evening of networking, drinks and hors d'ouvres. Local and national non-profits table top displays will introduce you to their causes to help you learn how produce and retail companies can get involved with and the mutual benefits of working with non-profits.
Exhibits Opening Lunch Reception
Join your peers and 200 exhibiting organizations for lunch during the opening of the exhibits. A "Taste of Chicago" food and drink will be located throughout the exhibit hall.
"Happy Hour" Exhibits Closing Reception
End a busy day with a drink and some snacks as you make your last trip through the exhibit hall.
Networking Opportunities
All events during the show will be presented in a professional, yet casual, manner to allow for maximum networking. Attendees will share similar competitive environments and the every-day challenges present in all facets of the industry. Exhibitor participation will be to support, not overshadow, retailer interaction.
Tours
Chicago is home to many exciting venues including the Chicago International Produce Market, world-class restaurants, national retail chains and niche stores. These will be made available to show attendees in private "backstage" tours on Wednesday. A variety of options will be offered at a small fee to cover transportation expenses.
Why Exhibit?
The produce industry has demonstrated a significant interest in engaging buyers and sellers at regional events. These events have become popular because of the limited investment of time and money required for participation, the depth of conversation created in a more intimate atmosphere, and the regional focus.
Exhibit booths will be limited to 10'x8' for this fast-paced, but effective, five-hour exposition, and ample time is available for social and networking opportunities over the two days.
A recent survey of the 2012 Produce Conference & Expo attendees provided the following insight in the audience you will reach:
61% of attendees said the Expo was their primary reason for attending the 2012 Midwest Produce Conference & Expo.
63% of attendees at the Monday evening Networking Reception met with current or new companies who they plan to do business with in the future.
71% of attendees a the the Tuesday Networking Reception met with current or new companies who they plan to do business with in the future.
Job Title:
55% Other, including Account Manager, Marketing, Director, Sales, President/CEO
17% Broker
14% Produce Manager/Supervisor/Produce Buyer
7% Director of Produce/Floral
7% Director of Produce Procurement
Primary Type of Business:
32% Other
29% Grower/Shipper
27% Grocery Retailer
12% Other (includes Foodservice Buyer, Convenience Store Retailer, Speciality Food Retailer, Broker
Number of Employees:
41% 100 employees or more
17% 50-99 employees
15% 20-49 employees
15% 10-19 employees
12% 1-9 employees
Number of Facilities:
19% 50+ facilities
9% 12-50 facilities
15% 4-11 facilities
57% 1-3 facilities
Average Facility Size:
42% 60,000 sq ft or more
30% 20,000 to 59,000
28% Under 20,000
These leaders play a significant role in purchasing products exhibited:
54% Wholesalers or Distrubors
5% Computer Systems/Software Solutions
18% Displays & Shelving
8% Floral
61% Fruits
5% Lighting
18% Nuts
20% Packaging & Labeling Equipment
25% Packaging & Labeling Supplies
8% Prepared Meals
16% Produce Handling & Storage Equipment
21% Shipping & Logistics
57% Vegetables
The Packer's Midwest Produce Conference & Expo will be promoted aggressively to this high-level audience using every medium at our disposal, which will include:
Dedicated website with conference details
The Packer (print ads & inserts)
Produce Retailer (print ads & inserts)
Direct mail (to The Packer and Produce Retailer subscribers)
eBlast (to The Packer and Produce Retailer email names)
Social media (Facebook & Twitter)
eNewsletters
Video pre-roll ads on ThePacker.com
Letter from the Publisher in The Packer, eBlast, and direct mail
Contact Details
Contact Person:Event Management
Telephone:
Email:
The produce industry's No. 1 source for breaking news, new product information and industry trends, The Packer now brings that depth of expertise to a new trade event, The Midwest Produce Conference and Expo. Set for August 19-21, 2013, Midwest Produce will bring together leading produce industry buyers and sellers in a professional setting in downtown Chicago. By merging a focused conference program, networking events and retail tour with an expo of leading suppliers, Midwest Produce fills a niche in the region for produce growers, shippers, regional retailers and wholesalers.
Why Attend?
The produce industry has demonstrated a significant interest in engaging buyers and sellers at regional events. These events have become popular because of the limited investment of time and money required for participation, the depth of conversation created in a more intimate atmosphere, and the regional focus.
Who Should Attend?
Midwest Produce is designed for retail executives, produce executives and managers, foodservice managers, produce distributors and wholesalers, specialty food retailers, and buyers of produce from any industry.
Who Should Exhibit?
Companies participating in Midwest Produce will include growers, suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and floral. Also included will be packaging and labeling supplies and equipment, produce handling and storage equipment, displays and shelving, shipping and logistics organizations.
Receptions
Midwest Produce will host three receptions to give conference participants an opportunity to network with their peers. These receptions will also feature special menus created for Midwest Produce.
Cause Marketing Opening Reception & Exhibits
Open the conference by joining your colleagues for an evening of networking, drinks and hors d'ouvres. Local and national non-profits table top displays will introduce you to their causes to help you learn how produce and retail companies can get involved with and the mutual benefits of working with non-profits.
Exhibits Opening Lunch Reception
Join your peers and 200 exhibiting organizations for lunch during the opening of the exhibits. A "Taste of Chicago" food and drink will be located throughout the exhibit hall.
"Happy Hour" Exhibits Closing Reception
End a busy day with a drink and some snacks as you make your last trip through the exhibit hall.
Networking Opportunities
All events during the show will be presented in a professional, yet casual, manner to allow for maximum networking. Attendees will share similar competitive environments and the every-day challenges present in all facets of the industry. Exhibitor participation will be to support, not overshadow, retailer interaction.
Tours
Chicago is home to many exciting venues including the Chicago International Produce Market, world-class restaurants, national retail chains and niche stores. These will be made available to show attendees in private "backstage" tours on Wednesday. A variety of options will be offered at a small fee to cover transportation expenses.
Why Exhibit?
The produce industry has demonstrated a significant interest in engaging buyers and sellers at regional events. These events have become popular because of the limited investment of time and money required for participation, the depth of conversation created in a more intimate atmosphere, and the regional focus.
Exhibit booths will be limited to 10'x8' for this fast-paced, but effective, five-hour exposition, and ample time is available for social and networking opportunities over the two days.
A recent survey of the 2012 Produce Conference & Expo attendees provided the following insight in the audience you will reach:
61% of attendees said the Expo was their primary reason for attending the 2012 Midwest Produce Conference & Expo.
63% of attendees at the Monday evening Networking Reception met with current or new companies who they plan to do business with in the future.
71% of attendees a the the Tuesday Networking Reception met with current or new companies who they plan to do business with in the future.
Job Title:
55% Other, including Account Manager, Marketing, Director, Sales, President/CEO
17% Broker
14% Produce Manager/Supervisor/Produce Buyer
7% Director of Produce/Floral
7% Director of Produce Procurement
Primary Type of Business:
32% Other
29% Grower/Shipper
27% Grocery Retailer
12% Other (includes Foodservice Buyer, Convenience Store Retailer, Speciality Food Retailer, Broker
Number of Employees:
41% 100 employees or more
17% 50-99 employees
15% 20-49 employees
15% 10-19 employees
12% 1-9 employees
Number of Facilities:
19% 50+ facilities
9% 12-50 facilities
15% 4-11 facilities
57% 1-3 facilities
Average Facility Size:
42% 60,000 sq ft or more
30% 20,000 to 59,000
28% Under 20,000
These leaders play a significant role in purchasing products exhibited:
54% Wholesalers or Distrubors
5% Computer Systems/Software Solutions
18% Displays & Shelving
8% Floral
61% Fruits
5% Lighting
18% Nuts
20% Packaging & Labeling Equipment
25% Packaging & Labeling Supplies
8% Prepared Meals
16% Produce Handling & Storage Equipment
21% Shipping & Logistics
57% Vegetables
The Packer's Midwest Produce Conference & Expo will be promoted aggressively to this high-level audience using every medium at our disposal, which will include:
Dedicated website with conference details
The Packer (print ads & inserts)
Produce Retailer (print ads & inserts)
Direct mail (to The Packer and Produce Retailer subscribers)
eBlast (to The Packer and Produce Retailer email names)
Social media (Facebook & Twitter)
eNewsletters
Video pre-roll ads on ThePacker.com
Letter from the Publisher in The Packer, eBlast, and direct mail
Contact Details
Contact Person:Event Management
Telephone:
Email:
