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Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show – The event for all in the fresh produce industry
Published: 20/05/2018
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) will host its 8th annual Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show from 15-16 August 2018 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria. This event will include an expanded trade show, top conference speakers, industry sessions and the opportunity to network with over 450 decision makers in the local and global fresh produce supply chain.
“PMA Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show, is the only conference and trade show that hosts the entire fresh produce supply chain in Southern Africa. From retailers and exporters to growers, this is an ideal platform for like-minded audiences to step up their thinking to the most recent trends and developments,” says Lindie Stroebel, general manager of PMA Southern Africa.
Themed Connect Local, Grow Global the conference and trade show provides a platform for stakeholders in the fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain to connect and to gain first hand insights into global trends and business opportunities.
Exciting Line-up
The line-up of presentations will focus on key industry interests – from the state of the global fresh produce industry to the latest technology and consumer trends.
Speakers will include:
Whitey Basson, former CEO of Shoprite – Keynote on retail in Africa;
Mike Riley, CEO of Compac – Future of food in a digital era;
Brett StClaire, international professional speaker - Digital transformation journey;
Jin Ju Wilder, chairperson of the PMA Board of Directors, and Marketing Director of LA & SF Specialty Produce - Industry insights and trends pertaining to fresh produce;
Ed Treacy, Vice President of supply chain efficiencies for PMA - Power of blockchain technology; and
Lauren Scott, Chief Marketing Officer of PMA - strategic marketing to drive your business growth, as well as consumer preference for fresh produce in Southern Africa and around the world.
Siv Ngesi, award winning actor and comedian, will step up the podium as MC for this event.
Session Partners
The following session partners are bringing a range of skills, expertise and insights to the event:
- Growth in New Markets in China *host: Standard Bank (Chinese buyers - TBC)
- Innovation in Agro-processing *host: Dutch Embassy (Micha van Lin, Jack Vera)
- Fresh Produce potential in Africa *host: FNB (Cheyo Mwenechanya and others TBC)
- Local market & business strategy trends *host: Potatoes SA (Keynote speaker TBC)
New Connections Roundtable
A 2-hour, interactive speed dating session will give growers, retailers and buyers the opportunity to get to know each other, or go straight to putting a potential deal on the table. The session will be followed by a New Connections Reception.
Growing Talent
The Center for Growing Talent by PMA (CGT by PMA) – with a mission to attract, develop and retain industry talent – will be hosting three programmes, focusing on career insights and growing professional networks:
- Women’s Fresh Perspectives session
- Young Professionals Breakfast and
- Career Pathways programme which brings university students to explore careers in fresh produce.
The Women’s Fresh Perspectives session will be featuring Annelize van Rensburg and Michele Moss from Signium Africa on balance and success in life while maintaining productivity and effectiveness - Signium Africa is a member of Agbiz. This event will be followed by a luncheon with keynote speaker Adv. Thuli Madonsela.,well known for her role as Public Protector of South Africa between 2009 and 2016, Madonsela was named as one of the world's top 100 most influential people by Time Magazine in 2014, and has been named Forbes African Person of the Year in 2016.
Brian Coppin, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Food Lover's Market, is the keynote speaker for the Young Professionals Breakfast. He will share his remarkable success story of building a single fruit and vegetables store into the largest privately owned independent food retail group in Africa.
Sponsors
The conference is supported by sponsors and exhibitors, such as Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market, Chep, Food Lover’s Market, Freshworld, Massfresh, Compac, John Deere Financial, Capespan, Absa, Freshmark, The Fruit Farm Group, PPECB, Prophet, Sensitech, ZZ2, Monsanto, Standard Bank, NSF and the Royal Netherlands Embassy in South Africa.
Learn more about Fresh Connections: Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show and register online.