Recent Events

  • Produce Inspection Training 2012 Part I

    Date: 05/09/2012 at 8:00 pm

    Location: Food Lion, LLC

     

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      To register for the May Produce Inspection Training click here.
     

  • Southern Exposure 2012

    Date: 03/01/2012 at 8:00 pm

    Location: Tampa Convention Center



    Southern Exposures Updates
    -Golf teams

    -Field Tours and Golf are SOLD OUT Club rental info. New golf format information

    -Any registration changes or tickets will need to be submitted by 2/10/2012 (see form below)

    -After 2/10/2012 changes and tickets will need to be purchased at the Tampa Convention Center

    -Tampa road closure for 3/3 Click here. Driving and Parking info.  
    Recommend shipping produce (Dimare Fresh) and products (AGS Expo services).



     

     

     

      
     
     


    As chairman of the Southern Exposure 2012 Committee I would like to personally invite you to join us in Tampa for what promises to be another outstanding conference.
     
    Our annual retail and foodservice conference and exposition will be held March 1-3 with the expo being held on Saturday March 3 at the Tampa Convention Center.  We had a record attendance at Southern Exposure 2011 in Orlando with over 1400 attendees and if you are planning on attending we recommend that you register early.

    Based upon post Southern Exposure 2011 surveys we have made some changes for this year.
    Many of our retail and foodservice attendees have said that they need more time on the expo floor to visit our exhibitors booths.

    This year our educational workshops on Saturday morning will run concurrently permitting attendees to choose which workshop the would like to attend. This will allow us to change the Keynote Luncheon to a "Keynote Brunch" staring at 10:00 a.m. The brunch will end at 11:45 a.m. and we will open the expo at 12:00 p.m. instead of 1:00 p.m.

    We hope that this change will benefit not only our retail and foodservice attendees but our exhibitors as well.
     
    The theme for Southern Exposure 2012 is “Hollywood The Golden Era” 1920-1960.
    The Friday evening gala opening party will have a Hollywood theme and we do expect some celebrities to be present. Exhibitors can decorate their booth to this theme for a chance to win the 1000.00 grand prize for the best decorated booth.
     
    The opening day golf tournament will be held on Thursday March 1 at Lake Jovita Golf Club. The opening day tournament has sold out for the past two years so register early. The tournament is open to all registered attendees for Southern Exposure 2012.It is not open to the general public or anyone who is not a registered attendee. Go to www.lakejovitagolfcc.com  for more info.  
     
    We would like to offer our sincere thanks to all of our past retail and foodservice attendees. Your attendance and continued support has been without question a major factor in the success of Southern Exposure. Your registration fees will continue to be complimentary.
     
    Southern Exposure is limited to two hundred exhibits. Each exhibiting company regardless of size is permitted to have one 10X10 exhibit. Exhibitors can be assured that the attendees who walk the trade show floor are the decision makers. Southern Exposure 2011 in Orlando saw a record attendance of retail and foodservice executives from the US and Canada. Many have deemed Southern Exposure one of the industries “must attend” events.
     
    The quotes below from past attendees from past Southern Exposure conferences sum up why you should consider attending Southern Exposure 2012.
     
    From our retail and foodservice attendees:
     
    “At Southern Exposure, you have time to visit with the key shippers and personnel who can make a difference in your business. You can make new contacts and renew long time relationships.”
     
    “Southern Exposure is an informative entertaining event I will continue to make room in my schedule for every year. Thanks for being such an asset to the Produce Industry.”
     
    “Southern Exposure provides the ability for retailers to see vendors, attend educational workshops and go on field tours while not being an overwhelming and time constrained event. It is a very relaxed yet productive experience.”
     
    “Southern Exposure provides a concentrated amount of information and available contacts in a smaller and more comfortable setting than other events. It is a great networking opportunity that still keeps the time commitment reasonable.”
     
    “Excellent atmosphere to engage with the vendor community. It was very personal, without the glitz.”
     
     
    From our exhibitors:
     
    “Southern Exposure is a relaxing, no pressure trade show. The show attendees can stroll at their leisure looking for new ideas and visit with familiar faces.”
     
    “Southern Exposure provided a much more relaxed and less time constrained atmosphere for us to spend time with as many customers as possible at various functions and events vs. other similar industry convention venues. It was a very productive 3 days for our company.”
     
    “This was my first year exhibiting at Southern Exposure and for my efforts the results have been the best I have experienced. The retailers were there and willing to spend time with me at my booth and wherever there was a gathering of people socializing and talking business. I will be back in 2011.”
     
    “Without a doubt the number one show to connect with your customer's face-to-face. The relaxed setting helps foster new and continued relationships. This show is a DO NOT MISS!”
     
    SPC’s Southern Exposure is the best-planned show I attend. It's like a good speech: you tell what you're going to tell, tell it, and then tell what you told. With the opening event, trade show, and finally the closing event, you get that solid reinforcement with your networking contacts that are needed for retention.
     
    Several sponsorship opportunities are available to give you “more exposure” at Southern Exposure 2012. Sponsorships sell out early so get yours as soon as possible.
    We look forward to seeing you in Tampa.

    Exhibitors,retail and foodservice attendees as well as non exhibitor attendees can register, order name badges, event tickets and make hotel reservations at the link below.

    Sincerely,

    David Sherrod
    Apio, Inc.
    Chairman, Southern Exposure 2012                                                                             

  • 2011 Produce Inspection Training

    Date: 10/12/2011 at 8:00 pm

    Location: Atlanta State Farmers Market

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    Southeast Produce Council’s
    2011 Produce Inspection Training Program
    Part II of our 2011 Produce Inspection Training Program will be held October 12-13 at the the Atlanta State Farmers Market in Forest Park, GA.
    The two day course is intended for quality control personnel, produce buyers, produce inventory control personnel and other company associates involved in the receiving, handling, buying and shipping of fresh produce.
    A certificate of completion will be awarded to each attendee who completes both the spring and fall courses.
    Mr. Tom Yawman of International Produce Training (IPT) will conduct the training. Mr. Yawman has over thirty years of produce inspection experience and prior to forming IPT he was an instructor at the USDA’s National Training and Development Center in Fredericksburg, VA.
    We would like to offer our sincere thanks to Andrew Scott and the team at General Produce, Inc. for hosting this year’s training.
    Please note that this class is limited to twenty attendees. Registration is on a first-come first-serve basis and priority will be given to SPC members.

    Those who attended the Part I training in May must register for the October training as well.
    The registration deadline is October 1, 2011. All registrations are to be completed on line.
    Location: Atlanta State Farmers Market 16 Forest Parkway Forest Park, GA. 30297 Administration Bldg. (classroom down stairs) For GPS purposes, just type in 16 Forest Parkway, Forest Park, GA.
    Pull into the market, make a left at stop sign, then make a right at the stop sign and make a right into the parking lot. 
    Registration Fees:
    SPC members: No charge for SPC members in good standing.
    Non-Member: $495.00 (includes one year SPC membership).
    Nearby Hotels.
    Comfort Inn & Suites
    5087 Clark Howell Hwy, Atlanta, GA 30349
    404-209-7299
    Hampton Inn
    1533 Southlake Parkway, Morrow, GA 30260
    770-968-8990
    7 miles South of the Atlanta Market
    Courtyard Atlanta Airport South
    2050 Sullivan Road, College Park, GA 30337
    770-997-2220

  • 2011 Annual Fall Conference

    Date: 09/22/2011 at 8:00 pm

    Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

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    REGISTER NOW 

     
     
     
     
     

    I am proud to call “Music City USA” home and I want to invite all of you to join us at the Southeast Produce Councils 2011 Fall Conference, we have a great schedule of events planned. Come enjoy the beautiful Gaylord Opryland Hotel with its world class amenities, including the 27,000 square ft Raleche Spa, world class dining all located in one of the nation’s top botanical gardens.

    The theme for the conference is “Hot Country Nights”. No jackets and ties are required. We are talking denim and boots so come dressed for the occasion and enjoy some great country music, great food and beverage and have a wonderful stay at the Gaylord Opryland.

    We also have a very informative educational program scheduled with Harold Lloyd as the Keynote Luncheon speaker as well as the speaker at the Friday afternoon educational workshop.

    Click on the Keynote Luncheon link above for more on Harold’s presentations.

    Our schedule of events has changed somewhat from our past conference schedules. The Presidents Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday evening this year instead of Friday evening.

    We will hold the “Jack Daniels” Gala Opening Party on Friday evening. Our entertainment will be the legendary country band Confederate Railroad.

    On Saturday night DJ Elemental will provide country music hits as well as a unique video production with a country music theme with some added classic rock.

    We will also recognize the inaugural graduating STEP-UPP class for 2011 as well as hear our President John Shumans “State of the Council” address on Saturday evening.

    Your registration fees include all food and beverage for our scheduled events. It also includes admission to the educational workshop program. 

    Name badges are required for admittance to all events at the fall conference. There are no exceptions.

    Registration will close on September 5, 2011. Please register early as we do expect a record fall conference attendance.

    The Gaylord Opryland Hotel is approximately ten minutes fro the Nashville airport.

    We have a special roundtrip rate for shuttle service. Go to this link to book your round trip shuttle service.

    Airport Shuttle

    We look forward to seeing you in Nashville.

     

    Sincerely

    Stanley Trout

    Chairman

    2011 Fall Conference


  • Southern Exposure 2011

    Date: 03/03/2011 at 8:00 pm

    Location: Caribe Royale Resort & Conference Center

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    We would like to express our sincere thanks to all of our attendees at Southern Exposure 2011. Our record attendance was just over 1400.

    We hope to see you in Nashville for the 2011 Fall Conference. Registation will open on May 10.

    Here are the links to the Southern Exposure 2011 workshop presentations.

    Workshop I 
    Don Goodwin 

    Winning With New Items

    Workshop II
    John Avola

    Social Media: Engaging Your Target Market Presentation

    Workbook


    Sincerely,

    Andrew Scott
    Vice President
    Southeast Produce Council, Inc.

    Chairman, Southern Exposure 2011             

  • Produce Inspection Training

    Date: 10/06/2010 at 8:00 pm

    Location: Merchants Distributors, Inc.




    Southeast Produce Council’s Produce Inspection Training Program


    Part II of our 2010 Produce Inspection Training Course will be held October 6-7 at MDI in Hickory, NC.

    The final date to register for the October training is September 15, 2010.

    Those who participated in the May 2010 training will be given first right of refusal  for the October training as long as they register by the September 15 deadline.

    The two day course is intended for quality control personnel, produce buyers, produce inventory control personnel and other company associates involved in the receiving, handling, buying and shipping of fresh produce.
    A certificate of completion will be awarded to each attendee who completes both the spring and fall courses.
    Mr. Tom Yawman of International Produce Training (IPT) will conduct the training. Mr. Yawman has over thirty years of produce inspection experience and prior to forming IPT he was an instructor at the USDA’s National Training and Development Center in Fredericksburg, VA.
    We would like to offer our sincere thanks to Mike Burris of Merchants Distributors, Inc. for providing their distribution center in Hickory, NC as the training location for 2010.
    Please note that this class is limited to twenty attendees. Registration is on a first-come first-serve basis and priority will be given to SPC members.
    The registration deadline for the October  2010 course is September 21, 2010. All registrations are to be completed on line.
    Location: Merchants Distributors, Inc. 5005 Alex Lee Blvd, Hickory, NC 28603.
    Registration Fees:
    SPC members: No charge for SPC members in good standing.
    Non-Member: $395.00 (includes one year SPC membership).
    Click on the links above for course overview and additional information
    Register by clicking on “Registration” link below.
     
     
     
     
     
     


  • 2010 Annual Fall Conference

    Date: 09/24/2010 at 8:00 pm

    Location: The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa



    Hotel Reservations






    As the Chair of the Fall Conference Committee I would personally like to invite all of our members to join us in Savannah. We are truly blessed with some wonderful cities in the Southeast and Savannah ranks at the top of the list.
    We have a great weekend of activities planned with an educational program that will hopefully benefit all who attend.
    For those arriving on Thursday please join us at the “Get Acquainted” reception at 7:00 p.m.

    Don't miss this years educational workshop Traceability Today  at 1:00 p.m. on Friday September 24.

    Each member of the supply chain from grower/shippers to food service and retailers will want to hear our roundtable discussion on the requirements and challenges of the new Produce Traceability Initiative. Come to learn more about what you will need to do to prepare and comply! 
    The Presidents Dinner Dance will be held on Friday evening this year and we will have the “Ultimate Tail Gate Party” on Saturday evening. Be sure to wear your favorite college team’s colors as we enjoy some great college football.
    New officers and directors will be elected at the Presidents Dinner Dance.
    The Eleventh Annual Ken Lanhardt Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday. The golf course at the Westin is less than five minutes and shuttle transportation will be provided.

    This years spouse program is a carriage tour of historic Savannah with lunch at Paula Deen's Lady & Sons restaurant.
    We look forward to seeing you in Savannah.

    Register early and please note that room reservations must be booked via the link on our website. Registration and room reservations will open on May 1, 2010 and close on August 23, 2010.
    Sincerely,
    John Shuman
    Shuman Produce, Inc.
    Vice-President
    Chair 2010 Fall Conference Committee
    Southeast Produce Council, Inc.