Headlining the International Fresh Produce Association’s 2024 Global Produce and Floral Show, set for Oct. 17-19 in Atlanta, is a group of speakers who will touch on topics including the future of the produce industry, a non-partisan peek into political trends, entrepreneurship and the benefits of risk-taking and the positive impact of women’s leadership.

“The keynote sessions at the Global Show are a signature component of the convention offerings. Learn what’s just a flash in the pan and what’s here to stay,” said Nelia Alamo, vice president of marketing for Markon and this year’s chair of the Global Show Committee. “It’s a time for members of our industry to gain new insights and find inspiration that will advance their careers, their companies, and our industry.”

The first keynote, on Oct. 17, will be IFPA CEO Cathy Burns’s annual State of the Industry address.

This year’s version will cover topics including:

  • The future of tech, innovation, and the consumer, in the context of our industry;
  • The interconnectedness of issues and trends you won’t find anywhere else; and
  • The insights that give you the edge to differentiate your business from the competition.
  • Later that day, the afternoon keynote will feature Marc Randolph, co-founder and first CEO of Netflix.

His speech, entitled “That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea,” will detail how a handful of dreamers with no money and a bad idea created the company that eventually brought down Blockbuster.

Randolph will also emphasize the values of innovation, persistence, and optimism, and share with attendees lessons on the importance of analytics and testing and on having a novel corporate culture and an obsession with focus.

On Day 2 of the show, two speakers will participate in “Key Conversations: Insights on Challenges, Opportunities, and Change Ahead,” an exploration of the evolving landscape of the fresh produce industry:

“Act One” of the presentation features a conversation with Rodney McMullen, chairman and CEO of The Kroger Co.

“Act Two” is a discussion with A.B. Stoddard, columnist for The Bulwark and Contributor and guest host for Sirius XM’s POTUS Channel, who will explore how the 2024 Presidential election could impact policies, regulations, and trade, among other issues.

Finally, on Oct. 19, attendees of the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast will hear from Reshma Saujami, a leading activist and founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First.

Her talk, “The Future of Women and Work (and Why It’s Different Than You Think),” will address:

  • Why “having it all” is a myth
  • The burden placed on women to be primary caregivers and to work around a system built for and by men
  • Four key steps for creating lasting change

“Only attendees with an all-access pass can attend these presentations. We are excited to include the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast and speaker in the All-Access Pass this year,” Alamo said. “I encourage everyone to maximize their Global Show experience by joining us at these sessions.”

This year’s show is organized around three “Forces,” according to IFPA:

1. A Force for Business

FOMO! Don’t miss the best guest list in town, insights you can’t find anywhere else, unmatched visibility for your products and brand.

2. A Force for Success

Meet the buyers and suppliers that make a difference. See the tech, innovation, products, and services that solve your problems and push you forward.

3. A Force for Discovery

Find the ideas, people, and solutions that drive your strategy and action to take your organization up a notch (or two, or three).

This article is an excerpt from the September 2024 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. You can read the entire IFPA feature and more in the digital edition here.