The Packer, Produce Market Guide and Farm Journal have rebranded GOPEX as the East Coast Produce Expo, set to debut Jan. 12-13, 2026, at the JW Marriott Turnberry Resort in Aventura, Fla.
ECPE will serve as the first major fresh produce event of the year, offering a premier venue for industry leaders to establish strategies, form partnerships and engage with innovations shaping the fresh produce market. While maintaining the intimate environment valued by past GOPEX attendees, ECPE will help foster meaningful connections and provide actionable solutions backed by industry-leading data and insights.
“In the heart of every fresh produce professional lies the power to transform our world — one harvest, one connection, one innovative idea at a time,” said Lance Burditt, senior vice president of food and agricultural sustainability at Farm Journal. “The East Coast Produce Expo will serve as a launching point for produce professionals at the onset of each new year. The vision is to create a strategic platform where industry decision-makers don't just exchange data but cultivate valuable partnerships and leverage the latest consumer and industry data to drive business success.”
The Packer said ECPE will offer attendees:
- Real connections — ECPE’s BizMatch program, trade show and networking events inspire collaboration, ensuring buyers and suppliers leave with tangible business opportunities.
- Set the strategy — Attendees will gain exclusive insights from The Packer and Farm Journal’s most comprehensive Fresh Trends Consumer Report to date, featuring in-depth analysis of how attendees can leverage the data to drive growth in the coming year.
- Regional focus, national relevance — ECPE brings together decision-makers from across the East Coast’s sourcing, distribution, retail and foodservice sectors, while also attracting national buyers to expand market reach.
- Solutions-driven agenda — ECPE will deliver actionable insights, essential tools and key relationships that drive success in the fresh produce industry.