The United Fresh Produce Association has planned a number of changes to enhance its convention for 2019, and one of the adjustments is making the Retail-Foodservice Celebration more prominent.
Mary Coppola, vice president of marketing and communications for United Fresh, said the organization will elevate the Retail-Foodservice Celebration this year by keeping it in McCormick Place and timing it with the close of the expo floor, ensuring maximum visibility for winners of its Retail Produce Manager Awards.
The event will include a red carpet and a stage, and winners will be honored by name, as has been the case in previous years. However, with the change in location and a different format — passed food and drinks instead of a plated dinner — the celebration is expected to be a higher-energy event.
“We feel we’re creating an environment that will call more attention to this year’s winners, getting them more excited about fresh produce, and also allow more of the industry to celebrate those on the front lines helping consumers choose fresh,” Coppola said.