For exhibiting & sponsorship opportunities, please call 212-426-2218 or email us here
GLOBAL TRADE
SYMPOSIUM
The Global Trade Symposium is the annual gathering of international traders of fruits and vegetables. Taking place on the day before The New York Produce Show and Conference, the Global Trade Symposium brings the best minds from around the world to discuss the intricacies of import and export in an ever-challenging world.
Co-located with The New York Produce Show and Conference, The Global Trade Symposium is presented by PRODUCE BUSINESS Magazine and the EASTERN PRODUCE COUNCIL.
Sheraton New York Times Square Tuesday, December 10th, 2024
Sponsored by:
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Presented by:
Routes of Success
The critical strategies and roadmaps importers use to bring the freshest, highest quality produce into the U.S. and Canada – from every corner of the globe.
What will I learn?
Despite improvements in technology and logistics, bringing fresh produce into the United States and Canada is not without its challenges. Supply chain disruptions, rising costs, labor shortages and increased traceability standards can all impact how fresh fruits and vegetables eventually reach retailers and restaurants.
For those who can navigate those turbulent waters, there are huge opportunities.
So, how does that happen? What are those Routes of Success?
We often hear this catchphrase, “Where does our produce comes from?” But we rarely hear, “How does it get here?” These sessions explore the paths importers are carving to make that happen – from the agreements they seal to the communication that happens with growers and customers to ensuring the quality and safety of product from port to port and beyond. Our panelists share their insights across each unique region to help business leaders chart their own courses and thrive.
GLOBAL TRADE SYMPOSIUM
AGENDA
SPONSORED BY:
7:30 am
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:15 am
GENERAL SESSION AND WELCOME REMARKS
Ken Whitacre, CEO and Publisher, Produce Business
8:30 am
THE GLOBAL SCOPE OF THE FRESH PRODUCE INDUSTRY PRESENTER
Miguel Gomez, Professor, Cornell University
9:00 am
BRINGING IMPORTS INTO CANADA: EMBRACING CHANGE, DIVERSIFICATION
MODERATOR Ron Lemaire, President, CPMA
PANELISTS Tecla Masciarelli, Buyer, Produce Metro Stores George Pitsikoulis, President and CEO, Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers
9:45 am
IMPORTS FROM MEXICO: LEVERAGING A MOST VALUABLE PARTNERSHIP
MODERATOR Allison Moore, Executive Vice President, Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA)
PANELISTS: Erick Carranza Vera, CEO, EV Produce Giovanni Cavaletto, President, GLC Cerritos Raquel Espinoza, Director of Sales and Marketing, Produce House John Pandol, Director of Special Projects, Pandol Bros.
10:30 am
IMPORTS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA: EXPLORING NEW OPPORTUNITIES
MODERATOR William Watson, President, The Fresh Approach
PANELISTS Diego Morales, Sales Manager, D Produce Andres Ocampo, CEO, HLB Specialties Allan Safieh, CEO and Founder, UniSpice Anthony Serafino, President, EXP Group
11:15 am
IMPORTING FROM EUROPE AND AFRICA: LEVERAGING THE SEASONS
MODERATOR Paul White, Founder, GiveGood, LLC
PANELISTS Ami Ben-Dror, Founder and CEO, Dorot Farms and BDA Marketing Kevin Carroll, Director of Imported Fruit, Fowler Packing Miles Fraser-Jones, VP of New Business Development, Sierra Produce Paul Massey, Director of Business Development, Trucco Lucio Rainelli, Director of Sales, LGS
12:00pm
LUNCH
12:45pm
TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS: THE DYNAMIC SCIENCE BEHIND IMPORTING
MODERATOR Priscilla Lleras, Executive Director, Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association
PANELISTS Jean Elie, Assistant Director Business Development, Port Everglades Ed Fitzgerald, Vice President of Trade Services, Geodis Leo Holt, President, Holt Logistics Ruben Ramirez, Country Manager, Mexico, IFPA
1:30pm
IMPORTING FROM ASIA: SEIZING ON UNIQUE SPECIALTY ITEMS
MODERATOR Sophia McDonald Bennett, Business Development Manager and Editor, Phoenix Media Network
PANELISTS Peng Liu, President, Orchard Direct Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations, Melissa’s
2:15pm
THE ‘SYSTEMS APPROACH’: CAN CHANGE IN CHILE BE HARBINGER FOR OTHERS?
PRESENTER Andres Rodriguez, Agricultural Attache of Chile
3:00pm
IMPORTS FROM SOUTH AMERICA: EXPANDING HORIZONS AND TRADE
MODERATOR Gustavo Yentzen, Founder and President, Yentzen Consulting
PANELISTS Manuel Alcaino, Chairman, Decofrut John Ercolani, VP of Operations, J&K Fresh Felipe Kanacri, General Manager, AM Fresh Alejandro Moralejo, CEO, Salix Fruits
GLOBAL TRADE SYMPOSIUM
SPEAKERS
Alejandro Moralejo
CEO
Salix Fruits
Allan Safieh
CEO and Founder
UniSpice
Allison Moore
Executive VP
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Ami Ben Dror
Founder and CEO
Dorot Farms and BDA Marketing
Andres Ocampo
CEO
HLB Specialties
Andres Rodriguez
Agricultural Attache of Chile
Anthony Serafino
President
EXP Group
Diego Morales
Sales Manager
D Produce
Ed Fitzgerald
Vice President of Trade Services
Geodis
Felipe Kanacri
General Manager
AM Fresh
George Pitsikoulis
President and CEO
Canadawide Fruit Wholesalers
Giovanni Cavaletto
President
GLC Cerritos
Jean Elie
Assistant Director Business Development
Port Everglades
John Pandol
Director of Special Projects
Pandol Bros.
Leo Holt
President
Holt Logistics
Manuel Alcaino
Chairman
Decofrut
Miles Fraser Jones
VP of New Business Development
Sierra Produce
Peng Liu
President
Orchard Direct
Raquel Espinoza
Director of Sales and Marketing
Produce House
John Ercolani
VP of Operations
J&K Fresh
Gustavo Yentzen
Founder and President
Yentzen Consulting
Miguel Gomez
Professor
Cornell University
Ken Whitacre
CEO
Phoenix Media Network
Ron Lemaire
President
Canadian Produce Marketing Association
Priscilla Lleras
Executive Director
Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association
Sophia McDonald Bennett
Business Dev. Manager & Editor
Phoenix Media Network
Paul White
Founder
GiveGood, LLC
William Watson
President
The Fresh Approach
Tecla Masciarelli
Buyer, Produce
Metro Stores
Robert Schueller
Director of Public Relations
Melissa’s
Erick Carranza Vera
Vice President
EV Produce International
Ruben Ramirez
Country Manager, Mexico
IFPA
Kevin Carroll
Director of Imported Fruit
Fowler Packing
Paul Massey
Director of Business Development
Trucco
Lucio Rainelli
Director of Sales
LGS
GLOBAL TRADE SYMPOSIUM
SPOSNORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Enhance Your New York Produce Show Presence. With more than 5,000 produce and floral professionals attending, The New York Produce Show and Conference delivers tremendous opportunity to do more business. Reach the highest level of retail and foodservice buying decision-makers. Sponsorships enhance your exhibitor experience and add more value.
OVERALL SPONSOR (2 Available – non-compete)
In addition to enjoying the benefits of general promotion at The New York Produce Show, your company will also be entitled to a 3-minute presentation and placement of your product and literature on the tables within the event.
BREAKFAST SPONSOR (5 available)
Set the stage for nourishing the stomachs and the minds of culinary and foodservice professionals all looking for solutions to profitably presenting produce on their menus.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
If innovative produce offerings in the New York region is an important part of your marketing strategy, this is the sponsorship for you. This year’s speaker will talk about the restaurants and chefs that are making waves in unique produce usage.
COFFEE BREAKOUT SPONSORS
Coffee breaks are great networking opportunities, and having your logo placed next to the refreshment stands makes a statement that you support the engagement of thought and conversation that betters the industry.
PANEL SPONSORS (3 available)
Show the Foodservice Industry’s Top Chefs and produce buyers that you are a serious player in the arena. Each panel of 4 – 5 speakers will be sponsored by one exclusive sponsor.
IDEATION BREAKOUT LUNCH (5 available)
Rated as one of the most exciting sessions of the Forum, each sponsor has the opportunity to have your produce included in the Ideation Challenges during lunch, where each table has a menu challenge that Culinary Students will present to the audience when everyone reconvenes.
All sponsors receive the following special recognition:
Company logo on signage throughout the Javits Center, in hotel meeting areas, and within the official Show Directory.
Company logo on The New York Produce Show and Conference website’s sponsor page.
Sponsors recognized during opening reception, keynote breakfast and on visual communications throughout the show.
Recognition in Produce Business magazine.
To discuss tailored packages that support your marketing objectives, please contact us here.
Contact Us
Global Trade Symposium P.O. Box 810425, Boca Raton, Florida33481 United States