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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.

NEW YORK  PRODUCE SHOW

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 RatonFlorida 33481
United States

(561) 994-1118

info@globaltradesymposium.com