United Fresh Produce Innovation 2022

The latest fresh food trends, cutting-edge tools and technology will be presented in the next edition of United Fresh Produce Innovation, to be held in Chicago from June 13th to 15th. We have had the opportunity to interview the organizers of the expo and conference and talk about all the novelties, trends and activities we will enjoy during the show.

Tell us, what’s new in this edition of United Fresh Produce Innovation?

This year’s United Fresh expo & conference has introduced two new brands: FreshMKT and FreshTEC. By segmenting and specifically branding these experiences, attendees can expect a more customised event where they will find education and Expo solutions specific to their roles within the industry.

What’s the relation between United FreshTEC & United FreshMKT?

United FreshTEC and United FreshMKT are re-branded experiences of the United Fresh annual expo & conference.

FreshTEC is focused on the technology supporting the industry whether that’s automation, pre- and post-harvest technologies, transportation, warehousing, packing and picking automation, food safety innovations and so on. This year, attendees can explore the new FutureTEC Zone where start-up companies and solutions will be exhibiting their innovations.

FreshMKT is the largest growing segment of the United Fresh event. This is where attendees will find all the latest products in fresh produce. This year, FreshMKT features a new Organic Showcase where buyers can explore organic products in one centralized location. There will be more than 50 new organic products on display.

Could you highlight some conference or activity for the exhibitors?

Both exhibitors and attendees will have the opportunity to attend the FreshTEC and FreshMKT Conferences on Tuesday, June 13. The conferences – built specifically for these two communities – offer a half day (noon – 5 PM) of inspiring sessions and topics to energize and kick off the event.

Wednesday morning, Doug Rauch, former CEO of Trader Joe’s will address all United Fresh, Global Cold Chain Expo and International Floriculture Expo attendees and exhibitors in a Joint Opening General Session.

Once the trade show floor opens (10 AM on Wed.) attendees and exhibitors can expect to participate in the FreshMKT and FreshTEC Learning Centers on the trade show floor. Each offers 45-minute presentations on topics specific to these communities. New this year, attendees and exhibitors also can participate in FreshMKT and FreshTEC X-Change – a facilitated conversation on topics of interest that may be impacting business or driving technology adoption or policy change in business. These are organic conversations and we’re excited to see how the audience embraces this new format.

Can you give us some tips to have success in this event?

As Exhibitors, the best advice we can give is to plan ahead. We’re here to help you have a successful event, so utilize our social media accounts, our hashtag #innovationstartshere and continue to keep your brand in the conversations surrounding the event. Contact media who will be in attendance in advance of the event – share press releases and schedule opportunities for an interview once you’re in Chicago.

For attendees, the advice is the same – plan ahead. There is so much to do and see this year! Make sure you’re planning to bring the right team members, and enough of them. The best way to manage the event it to divide and conquer. Your sales teams should plan to attend FreshMKT and your operations teams need to be exploring FreshTEC.

Don’t forget about the co-located shows: the Global Cold Chain Expo and the International Floriculture Expo. The shared exhibit hall is 450,000 square feet! Bring enough people to cover it all!

How contributes your event to food’s industry?

Fresh produce drives consumers decision when choosing a grocery store. It’s the first impression when they enter the store. It’s a critical department to the success of a supermarket and the retail community knows this. Fresh (perishable) is also becoming a greater part of the consumer behaviour.

Customers want locally grown, fresh, clean and healthy options – all of which they can find in the fresh produce department. Fruits and vegetables are in the driver’s seat when it comes to food trends and moving the food industry towards healthier options for consumption.

In June 20-22, United Product Fresh Association brings together in Chicago the leading companies from across every segment of the fresh produce industry, from the supply chain to the growers, shippers, processors, wholesalers, distributors or retailers, among others. The main goal of the show gives all the members the opportunity to grow and build value in a long-term. So if you are thinking about exhibiting or attend to United Fresh Produce Innovation don't stop reading our interview with the organizers to discover all the novelties and benefits of participating in 2016's edition!

United Fresh showcase the most creative new produce items and fresh food trends. What else stands out United Fresh above other similar fairs?

This year, our focus on the changing retail environment is enhanced. With the increasing fresh trends, ready-made fresh, combo packs and grab-and-go, in addition to new retail formats, home delivery and other consumer-driven fresh trends, we’re exploring all opportunities for the fresh produce industry to learn and adapt to the changing consumer behaviours at retail.

Who can attend the show?

Anyone! We encourage companies to explore all of the opportunities this event has to offer and to specifically take a look at the co-location partners and their programs. Register through United Fresh and your pass will get you into all the trade show floors including access to the International Floriculture Expo, The Global Cold Chain Expo and FMI Connect. Bring the right members of your team to ensure you don’t miss any of the opportunities these co-locations present.

Will we see novelties on 2016's edition?

Yes – this year’s Produce Innovation Award finalists have been announced! Attendees can vote on-site and winners will be announced Wednesday afternoon, June 22. You can check the list,

Can you give some tips for those exhibiting in Chicago for the first time? (some rules of the venue, customs, protocol…)

We have a great guide or those exhibiting for the first time. In addition, any logistics needs for first-time exhibitors can be consulted in the service kit where you will find all the tools necessary to plan your participation including move-in schedule, shipping, furniture rental, electrical, audio/visual, lead retrieval and much more!

Alongside with the exhibition, we can enjoy a comprehensive educational programme, can you recommend us an event or session in particular?

The newest education offering this year is the Fresh Foods: The Retail Revolution which is hosted on Monday, June 20. In addition, we have five, 1-hour workshops offered on Wednesday, June 22 following the General Session breakfast and not to be missed are the sessions on the trade show floor in the Fresh Marketplace and FreshTech Learning Centers.

Give us some reasons why we cannot miss United Fresh

With the enhanced focus on fresh, United Fresh is the one annual event where you can gain new insights through education, networking and trade show access. The co-location partnerships make the event unique and offer opportunities outside of the fresh produce community that has the potential to develop new business for your company and the industry. You won’t know if you don’t go.

Finally, can you give us some participation results from the last edition?

Last year, more than 70% of attendees had to buy decision making authority. There were a combined 13,000 people in Chicago for the event last year and we’re trending to meet those numbers again this year.