background-image
SI23 conference logo

Race to discover “What’s New?” within our industry as we springboard new product items and technologies into the marketplace. Join us for our annual tradeshow and conference focused on highlighting the latest innovations within the fresh produce industry, from organics and new product developments to technology and unique brand approaches.

 

We’re going green for produce fans by providing educational sessions led by industry leaders to complement our tradeshow, offering an opportunity to hear how to elevate your brand in an increasingly competitive field and receive valuable fact-based data to boost your business to the finish line. And as always, you’ll be able to sample a taste of true Southern hospitality as you fellowship with friends and colleagues.

 

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity – Let’s Register for Southern Innovations!

When

Thursday, September 14, 2023 – Saturday, September 16, 2023

Where

Charlotte Convention Center
501 South College Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

 

GET WEATHER | GET MAP | GET DIRECTIONS

(Select “Already Registered” below to modify your registration – add booth associates, sessions, guests, etc. – and to view the attendee list) 

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

  • 12:00pm – 4:00pm: SEPC Board of Directors’ Meeting (SEPC Board of Directors only)
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center E216 A-D
  • 6:30pm - 9:30pm: VIP Dinner (Valued In Produce; by invitation only)
    • Location: NASCAR Hall of Fame

Thursday, September 14

  • 7:30am – 5:00pm: Registration
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center Concourse C
  • 7:30am – 5:00pm: Exhibitor Booth Setup (exhibitors only)
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center Hall C
  • 8:00am – 5:00pm: SEPC Committee Meetings (SEPC Committee Members only)
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center E221 A&B
  • 9:30am – 2:45pm: STEP-UPP Team Building Experience (STEP-UPP participants only)
    • Location: Victory Lane Karting Super Prix Experience
  • 11:00am – 5:00pm: SEPC LINKS Meetings (by invitation only from participating Retail/Foodservice members who facilitate the program with invited Growers and Shippers)
  • 1:00pm – 4:00pm: SEPC Board of Governors’ Meeting (SEPC Board of Governors only)
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center W202
  • 2:00pm – 4:00pm: Southern Roots Reception (women in produce only)
    • Location: JW Marriott Ballroom Salons A+B
  • 6:30pm – 9:30pm: Welcome Reception
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center Richardson Ballroom & Terrace

Friday, September 15

  • 7:30am – 12:00pm: Exhibitor Booth Setup (exhibitors only)
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center Hall C
  • 7:30am – 5:00pm: Registration
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center Concourse C
  • 8:00am – 11:00am: SEPC LINKS Meetings (by invitation only from participating Retail/Foodservice members who facilitate the program with invited Growers and Shippers)
  • 8:00am – 5:00pm: SEPC Committee Meetings (by invitation only)
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center E221 A&B
  • 8:30am – 10:00am: Educational Session - Race to Discover: What's New? 
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center E220 A-F
  • 11:00am – 12:30pm: General Session & Keynote Luncheon
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center Crown Ballroom
  • 1:00pm – 5:00pm: Exposition
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center Hall C
  • 5:00pm – 7:00pm: Exhibitor Load-out
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center Hall C
  • 6:30pm – 10:00pm: Chairman’s Dinner Dance
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center Crown Ballroom

Saturday, September 16

  • 7:00am – 2:30pm: Founders Memorial Golf Tournament
    • Location: Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation
    • Schedule:
      • 6:30am: Departure from Charlotte Convention Center East Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Entrance
      • 7:00am – 8:00am: Breakfast
      • 8:00am – 1:00pm: Tournament Play
      • 1:00pm – 2:30pm: Awards Luncheon
  • 7:30am – 2:30pm: Martin Eubanks Sporting Clays Classic
    • Location: Hyatt Shooting Complex – Hyatt Farms Sporting Clays
    • Schedule: 
      • 7:30am: Departure from Charlotte Convention Center East Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Entrance (grab-n-go breakfast provided)
      • 9:00am – 1:00pm: Sporting Clays Tournament
      • 1:00pm – 2:30pm: Awards Luncheon
  • 8:00am – 3:00pm: Local Tour
    • Location: Queen City Tour + Charlotte Motor Speedway “Feel the Thrill” Tour
    • Schedule:
      • 8:00am: Departure from Charlotte Convention Center East Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Entrance
      • 8:00am – 10:00am: Queen City Tour
      • 10:00am – 1:30pm: Charlotte Motor Speedway “Feel the Thrill” Tour w/ lunch on location at The Speedway Club
      • 1:30pm: Return to Charlotte Convention Center East Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Entrance
  • 3:00pm – 10:00pm: Ultimate Tailgate Experience
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center Richardson Ballroom & Terrace

Sunday, September 17

  • 7:00am – 8:30am: Al Finch Memorial Prayer Breakfast
    • Location: Charlotte Convention Center E222


Southern Roots Reception Speaker & Keynote Moderator


Shannon Spake

Veteran Sports Broadcaster for FOX Sports

Veteran sports broadcaster Shannon Spake joined FOX Sports in July 2016 as a three-sport star, covering NASCAR, college football, college basketball and NFL. In 2019, she was named host of FOX NASCAR’s race coverage, handling all anchor duties for NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series races and prerace shows live from FOX Sports’ state-of-the-art virtual studio set in Charlotte, N.C.

Spake also co-hosts NASCAR RACE HUB, FS1’s daily NASCAR news and highlights program, alongside Adam Alexander, in a role she has held since February 2017. For the 2022 NFL season, she serves as a FOX NFL reporter for her sixth season, teaming with play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert and analyst Jonathan Vilma after working with Adam Amin and Mark Schlereth in 2021. She has been a fulltime NFL reporter since the 2018 season.

Spake’s move to FOX after several years with ESPN represented a “homecoming” for the reporter, who worked for FOX Sports’ SPEED early in her TV career. Beginning in 2005, she reported for SPEED’s “NASCAR Nation,” co-hosted “Backseat Drivers” and reported from the NASCAR garage during the network’s coverage of the 2006 Daytona SpeedWeeks.

In 2017, she had a cameo role in Disney Pixar’s hit movie, “Cars 3,” starring as Shannon Spokes.

Spake was raised in South Florida and graduated from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Despite being diagnosed with scoliosis as a child and undergoing back surgery at 13 that involved the insertion of rods, Spake swam competitively through high school and college. She earned a swimming scholarship to Broward College before transferring to FAU to complete her degree.

She currently resides in Charlotte and is the mother to identical twin boys. Spake is active in the endurance racing community. In addition to being a four-time marathon finisher, she has competed in seven 70.3 Ironman events and, in 2018, became part of the IRONMAN Foundation Ambassador program and has raised close to $60,000 for the Foundation.




SEPC University Educational Session Speaker


Anne-Marie Roerink

President of 210 Analytics, LLC


Anne-Marie Roerink is the President of 210 Analytics, LLC. Working closely with retailers, wholesalers, grower/shippers and trade associations, Anne-Marie has developed an excellent perspective on the ever-changing wants and needs of the produce consumer in a one-size-fits-no-one world. She understands the challenges and opportunities in the food and produce business today as well as the drivers of success tomorrow. Prior to founding 210 Analytics, Anne-Marie was the Head of Research for the FMI. She designs and authors the annual Power of Produce study and monthly performance reports, along with similar studies in meat, deli, frozen, bakery and other categories.




Keynote Luncheon Speaker


Darrell Waltrip

3-Time NASCAR Premier Series Champion & NASCAR Hall of Fame Member


Darrell Waltrip is a three-time NASCAR premier series champion. Waltrip won all three alongside legendary driver and owner Junior Johnson. He is tied with Bobby Allison for fourth all-time in series victories with 84.

Waltrip's 59 poles rank fifth all-time in NASCAR premier series history. He competed from 1972-2000, another highlight being his 1989 Daytona 500 victory in a Rick Hendrick-owned Chevrolet.

Waltrip’s first series title came in 1981, when he finished with 12 wins and 21 top fives in 31 races. He won the title by 53 points over Bobby Allison. In his second championship season, 1982, he finished with 12 wins and 20 top 10's in 30 races, sweeping both races at four tracks (Nashville, Bristol, Talladega and North Wilkesboro). In his third championship season, 1985, Waltrip finished with three wins and 21 top 10's in 28 races.

Waltrip and his wife, Stevie, reside in Franklin, TN. He was nicknamed “Jaws” during his career because of an outspoken demeanor. He's served as a long-time commentator on FOX’s NASCAR broadcast until his retirement from the booth in 2019. Waltrip was named one of NASCAR’s “50 Greatest Drivers” in 1998 and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012.

Please choose your registration type based on the following criteria:

Exhibitor: $2,995 

Exhibitors may have a total of 8 people in the booth. 4 booth associate registrations are included with booth fees; the 4 additional Booth Associate passes may be purchased for $850 each.


General Attendee: $1050

Only registration for one person. This route is for growers, shippers, packers, brokers, processors, equipment suppliers, transportation/logistics, etc.


Spouse: $250

Only one spouse per attendee. This includes access to the following: Welcome Reception, General Session & Keynote Luncheon, Chairman's Dinner Dance, and Ultimate Tailgate Experience. Also, a choice of one (1) Saturday activity (additional fees apply). To keep traffic to a minimum, spouses are not allowed access to the expo floor until the last hour.


Retail*: Complimentary

This pass is valid for full-service retail chains that sells food to consumers. Must have at least 10 stores or more. (Buyers with less locations are open to inclusion at the discretion of the council.)

Air travel (or travel mileage up to $400 reimbursement) and lodging is provided by SEPC upon request. Air and hotel request forms must be submitted through the registration process before August 18, 2023.


Foodservice*: Complimentary

This pass is valid for broadline or chain foodservice industry members.

  • Broadline Foodservice: A company that provides food and non-food products to restaurants, cafeterias, industrial caterers, and hotels.
  • Chain Foodservice: Includes restaurants, hotels, industrial caterers, cafeterias, and meal box subscription companies.

Air travel (or travel mileage up to $400 reimbursement) and lodging is provided by SEPC upon request. Air and hotel request forms must be submitted through the registration process before August 18, 2023.


Wholesale, Jobber, and Receiver*: Complimentary (exclusions apply)

This pass is valid for full-service distributors that provide comprehensive services to retail and foodservice operators. (Does not include buying offices, terminal markets, commission merchants, buying brokers, etc.).

Only two (2) members per company. Any additional registrations will be charged the General Attendee fee.

Air travel and lodging not included.


Press*: Complimentary (trade out agreement required)

Press and media attendees must contact Anna Burch (anna@seproducecouncil.com) to negotiate trade out agreements.


Industry Trade Association*: Complimentary (trade out agreement required)

Employees from other industry trade associations (such as IFPA, OPN, etc.) must contact David Sherrod (dsherrod@seproducecouncil.com) to negotiate trade out agreements.


VIP*: Complimentary

Registration reserved for Lifetime Achievement Award winners, Lifetime Members, speakers, and other approved attendees.

Air travel (or travel mileage up to $400 reimbursement) and lodging is provided by SEPC upon request. Please email Molly Edenfield (molly@seproducecouncil.com) to make a request.

*Registration requires approval. Must meet the corresponding criteria listed above to be approved. We reserve the right to provide acceptance or refusal of applicants within the guidelines of the criteria noted above as well as due to budget restrictions and hotel availability. A questionnaire may be required to be completed if further information about the company is needed.


Please note, this is an SEPC members-only event. If you are not currently a member in good standing, please sign up for membership now!

Charlotte Convention Center

501 South College Street
Charlotte, NC 28202 USA

Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte just 7 miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the Charlotte Convention Center is the city’s premier meeting and convention space. The 600,000-square-foot Charlotte Convention Center is located across the street from the 700-room Westin Hotel and is also connected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame via an overstreet walkway. The facility offers a full-service, in-house food and beverage department, visitor info services, a UPS Store, a preferred in-house A/V provider with complete inventory of equipment and professional technicians, and more.




Hotel Information

Note: Retail and Foodservice attendees must request hotel & air during the registration process no later than August 18, 2023.

JW Marriott Charlotte

Find the perfect blend of luxury service and prime location at JW Marriott Charlotte. Situated in downtown, across the street from the Charlotte Convention Center, our luxury hotel provides all you need to explore the very best the city has to offer. The hotel sits near favorite local attractions, to include; the Nascar Hall of Fame, Bank of America Stadium, thrilling nightlife and shopping options, and in the heart of Charlotte's financial district. Hotel guests enjoy luxurious well-appointed rooms with upscale amenities, a 24-hour fitness center, rooftop bar & pool, Spa by JW, and authentic restaurant dining reflecting local culinary favorites. Flexible meeting & event space provides an impressive setting for hosting business meetings, private gatherings or weddings. Our urban retreat connects the place, the people, and the community.

The Westin Charlotte

Relax and refresh your mind, body and spirit at the Westin Charlotte. Our hotel benefits from an ideal location in the city's Uptown district, steps from the Charlotte Convention Center and Bank of America Stadium. Whether you're here for business or on vacation, you'll feel at ease in 4-star rooms and suites with wellness-enhancing amenities including our Westin Heavenly® Bed and Heavenly® Bath, as well as high-speed Wi-Fi, desks with ergonomic chairs and 24-hour room service. Maintain your health during your downtown visit at the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio, then follow your workout with a delicious meal at JP Charlotte, one of our signature hotel restaurants. Start your morning routine at SoCo Café, serving Starbucks® coffee, or sip a drink at SoCo Bar after the sunsets. Our hotel is a premier destination for meetings and events with modern technology and healthy, delicious catering. For those wishing to explore, our uptown Charlotte, NC, hotel places many popular attractions moments away.




WARNING: Potential scammers may try to phish for hotel rooms. Hotel rooms should ONLY be reserved and confirmed by either using the links provided via email or by contacting the individual hotel directly.

In the past, SEPC has received reports about brokers contacting members to book hotel reservations. These brokers falsely imply they are affiliated with show management and secure full or partial prepayment for hotel rooms from member companies. Please note, that we have no affiliation with any of these room brokers. Please do not provide them with any details of your reservation and do not give them your credit card or any personal information.

Southern Innovations Exhibitors

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE EXHIBITOR FLOOR PLAN


Booth #

Company Name

734 4Earth Farms
317 80 Acres Farms
202 AgroFresh
334 AgSquared - Farm Management Software for Specialty Crops
714 Alderman Farms Sales Corp.
222 All American Produce
630 Alpine Fresh
232 Altar Produce, LLC
722 Ark Foods Group, Inc.
522 B&W Growers
613 Bard Valley Natural Delights
335 Bare Beans
431 Bee Sweet Citrus
214 Better Booch
417 Bing Beverage Company
234 Blanc Display Group
502 Bland Farms
517 Bolthouse Farms
435 Bostock New Zealand
218 Bova Fresh, LLC
304 Braga Fresh
732 Burch Equipment, LLC
614 C&B Farms, Inc.
420 C&S Family Farms
312 Calavo Growers, Inc.
301 California Table Grape Commission
735 Carbon Robotics
603 Chilean Fresh Fruit Association
629 Church Brothers Farms
716 Classic Harvest
531 Collins Family Farms - Vidalia Sweet Produce
620 Corbett Brothers Farms
619 Crunch Pak
728 Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc.
215 Delina Fresh
703 Divine Flavor
514 Domex Superfresh Growers
530 Duda Farm Fresh Foods
610 EarthFresh
415 East Coast Growers Family of Farms
400 Eastern Produce, Inc.
414 Eden South, Inc.
303 Edward L. Myrick Produce, Inc.
212 Empower Fresh Company
432 Envy Apples
419 Farm Direct Supply
621 Farm Fresh Direct of America
305 Feek Family Citrus
615 Florida Specialties, LLC
618 Fowler Bros/ Fowler Farms
221 Fresh & Direct, Inc.
413 Fresh Cravings
314 Fresh Taste Produce
412 Fresha
332 Freshouse/A.D.S.
623 Freshway Produce, Inc.
434 FruVeg Marketing, Inc.
710 G&R Farms
220 Gee Whiz II, LLC
410 Generation Fresh
622 Genuine Georgia/Pecan Nation
605 Giorgio Fresh Company
723 Gold Coast Packing, Inc.
617 Goodness Gardens
421 Gotham Greens
210 Grande Produce LTD Co.
203 Great Lakes Greenhouses
702 Grimmway/Cal-Organic Farms
216 Happy Dirt
333 Harvest Fresh Partners
423 Hazel Technologies
318 Health Ade
433 Henry Avocado Corp.
401 Highline Mushrooms
418 House Foods Holdings, USA
310 I Love Produce, LLC
516 Idaho Potato Commission
321 Infinite Herbs
235 International Fruit Company, Inc.
705 J&C Tropicals
721 Jackson Farming, Co.
328 John Greene Logistics, Co.
504 L&M Companies
600 L.G. Herndon Jr. Farms, Inc.
300 Lawton Family Farms, LLC
411 Limoneira
633 Lipman Family Farms
720 Little Leaf Farms
733 LK Packaging
429 Local Bounti
233 Luv by Fresh Directions
402 Magic Sun
503 Masser Family of Companies
501 Mastronardi Produce / SUNSET
403 McDaniel & Chirico Worldwide
631 Melon 1
612 Misionero
313 Mother Earth, LLC
201 Mother Raw (Reunion Foods, Inc.)
330 N & W Farm Produce, Inc.
730 Nash Produce, LLC
213 Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Co.
302 Natural Forest, Inc.
500 Nature Fresh Farms
534 NatureSweet
205 Naturipe Farms
513 Nickey Gregory Company
604 North Bay Produce, Inc.
320 NuBerry Farms
311 Ocean Mist Farms
521 Onions 52, Inc.
323 Oppy
712 organicgirl
219 Pacific Produce, LLC
229 Pandol Bros., Inc.
601 Parker Farms
329 Pear Bureau Northwest
428 PennRose Farms, LLC
719 Peri & Sons Farms
715 Pero Family Farms
713 Potandon Produce
729 Proseal America
528 Pure Flavor®
701 Rainier Fruit
217 Red Jacket Orchards
512 Red Sun Farms
533 Robinson Fresh
230 Royal Fresh Cuts
510 RPE, LLC
628 Sage Fruit Company
529 Sbrocco International, Inc.
602 Scott Farms, Inc.
634 Share-ify
511 Shuman Farms
731 SiCar Farms
228 Sierra Produce
422 SMP Southeast Marketing, Inc.
405 South Carolina Department of Agriculture
322 Southern Specialties
505 Southern Valley Fruit and Vegetable, Inc.
331 Square One Farms, LLC
532 Starr Ranch Growers
700 State Garden/Olivia's Organics
635 Stella Farms
211 Stemilt Growers
632 Sun Belle, Inc.
316 Sun-Glo of Idaho
518 Sunkist Growers
520 Sunripe Certified Brands
404 Sunview Marketing International
717 Sweet Seasons
711 Tanimura & Antle, Inc.
416 Tastyfrutti International, LLC
200 Taylor Farms Tennessee, Inc.
319 TendWell Farm
430 Valued Naturals
204 Vick Family Farms
231 Village Farms Fresh
616 Wada Farms
515 Westfalia Fruit Marketing USA
519 Westmoreland Sales - Topline Farms
718 Wilcox Fresh
315 Willy’s Fresh Salsa
704 Wonderful Citrus
611 WP Rawl
535 Yerecic Label
523 Yes! Apples
223 Yo Quiero! Brands/Fresh Innovations, LLC



Exhibitor Information

Benefits

  • Ideal Environment and Timeframe to Launch New Items into the Marketplace
  • Outstanding Exhibitor/Buyer Ratio
  • Intimate Atmosphere to Make Quality Connections
  • One-day Exposition with Capped Attendance
  • Equal Opportunities with 10' x 10' Booths for All Exhibitors
  • Multiple Networking Opportunities Throughout Conference

 

Booth Size: 10' x 10'

Includes:

  • 8' Pipe and Drape
  • 3' Pipe and Drape
  • (1) 6' x 30" Skirted Table
  • (2) Plastic Side Chairs
  • (1) Wastebasket
  • (1) ID Sign

 

Exhibitor Move-In:

  • Thursday, September 14, 2023 - 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday, September 15, 2023 - 7:30 am - 12:00 pm

 

Exhibition Hours:

  • Friday, September 15, 2023 - 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

 

Exhibitor Move-Out:

  • Friday, September 15, 2023 - 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm



**Exhibitors MUST NOT begin to break down booths until 5:00 pm on Friday!**


Sampling Guidelines:

  • Please submit the Sample Distribution Request Form to the Charlotte Convention Center Director of Food and Beverage no later than two weeks prior to the event for approval.




Exhibitor Toolkit

Through our valued partnership with AGS Expo Services, the exhibitor toolkit information is now available!


Race to Feature Your Newest Products Along Our What's New? Wall of Innovation!


(display to be updated w/ this year's theme)

Exclusive Price: $250 

  • Case Dimensions: 19" wide x 25" deep x 14" high
  • All shelves include lighting and cases will be locked
  • Space is limited to one (1) case per company
  • Purchase your showcase by July 14, 2023. Cases are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited.
  • How to purchase:
    • As you register for Southern Innovations, select What's New? Wall of Innovation as one of your sessions.
    • Once you register, you'll receive a submission link via email for your showcase information to be featured within our conference directory and app - one (1) high-resolution image of your product as well as a detailed description (50 words or less)
    • Already registered?
      • How to modify registration to add/edit sessions on agenda:
        1. From the registration website, select "Already Registered?"
        2. Enter the email address and confirmation number of the person who needs modifications.
        3. Select the "Modify Registration" button at the bottom of the page.
        4. Click "Next" until on the "Sessions" page.
        5. Make appropriate modifications.
        6. Be sure to select "Next" and "Finish" at the end to ensure changes are saved.
    •  

Southern Innovations Digital Toolkit

Right click on the image you wish to save.


Conference Logos


Email Signature


Facebook

 

Twitter

 

LinkedIn

 

Instagram




Conference Directory Ad Information Coming Soon!




Short for “Learning, Interacting and Networking with Key players in the Supply chain,” LINKS is an educational leadership program where exceptional Southeastern growers and shippers can connect with Retail/Foodservice providers in the region in a non-competitive environment. By enhancing each side’s understanding of the retail supply chain, we can facilitate our mutual goals to better service consumers and drive Southeastern produce consumption. The SEPC will provide a meeting space at both Southern Exposure and Southern Innovations to participating Retail/Foodservice members who facilitate the program with invited Growers and Shippers.

 

LINKS Reservation Options for SEPC Retail/Foodservice members*

  • LINKS Meeting Description Options

    • LINKS Meeting(s) with Grower/Shipper Companies
    • Internal Company Meeting
  • A La Carte Menu

    • A/V options
      • Projector/Screen
      • PA System
    • Food & Beverage Service (at reserving company's expense) 

REQUEST LINKS MEETING @ SOUTHERN INNOVATIONS 2023

*LINKS Meeting Reservations must be submitted/approved through SEPC. If you would like to request a LINKS meeting within the SEPC Virtual Garden, outside of Southern Exposure or Southern Innovations, contact Anna Burch (anna@seproducecouncil.com).

Frequently Asked Questions


Where can I view the Attendee List?


  • You can access the attendee list by logging in to your registration and selecting “Attendees List” within the menu dropdown. It is our Board’s policy that we do not provide contact information with this list.


Is there exhibitor space available at Southern Innovations?


  • Southern Innovations is our fall show that has an innovations focus. Held in September, this show has available exhibit space based on a first-come, first-served policy. With exhibitor and attendee numbers growing over the years, this show would be a good foot in the door to SEPC (and could help with your chances at getting a booth at Southern Exposure). Again, you must be a corporate member to exhibit.


Is there exhibitor space available at Southern Exposure?


  • Southern Exposure is our most popular show held in late-Feb, early-March each year in Florida and because of this we have an extensive waitlist to exhibit. We have about 3000 attendees and growing. Booth spaces are first right of refusal, so previous years exhibitors have a choice on whether they want to return the next year. We have about 100 companies on the waitlist to exhibit at this show. The waitlist is based on a lottery. If booth space becomes available, we’ll hold a “lottery drawing” in September to fill the space. You can increase your chances in the lottery by participating. We give extra chances to those who attend our shows, participate on committees, and even more for sponsoring. You must first sign up for a corporate membership before being placed on the waitlist. You can view all membership options and benefits here, including an informative digital membership packet that has lots of info about SEPC and what we have to offer.


What are the deadlines for this conference?


  • Exhibitor Deadlines
    • July 15, 2023: Final date to receive booth refund 
  • General Attendee Deadlines
    • August 18, 2023: Final date to reserve hotel within SEPC room block
  • Retail/Foodservice Attendee Deadlines
    • August 18, 2023: Final date to request complimentary hotel and airfare through SEPC registration
  • Registration Deadlines
    • August 18, 2023: Final date to receive refund for conference and session registration (does not include booth registration fees)


How do I modify my registration to add/edit sessions, substitute attendees with another registrant, add/edit group members, or add guests?


      How to modify registration to add/edit sessions on agenda:


  1. From the registration website, select "Already Registered?"
  2. Enter the email address and confirmation number of the person who needs modifications.
  3. Select the "Modify Registration" button at the bottom of the page.
  4. Click "Next" until on the "Sessions" page.
  5. Make appropriate modifications.
  6. Be sure to select "Next" and "Finish" at the end to ensure changes are saved.


      How to substitute attendees with another registrant:


  1. From the registration website, select "Already Registered?"
  2. Enter the email address and confirmation number of the person who needs modifications.
  3. Select the "Transfer Registration" button at the bottom of the page.
  4. Follow the prompts to input the new registrant's information.


      How to add/edit group members:


  1. From the registration website, select "Already Registered?".
  2. Enter the email address and confirmation number of the primary registrant.
  3. Select the "Add Group Member" button at the bottom of the page.
  4. Follow the prompts until the end to finish adding the group member and ensure their registration is saved.


      How to add guests:


  1. From the registration website, select "Already Registered?"
  2. Enter the email address and confirmation number of the person who needs modifications.
  3. Select the "Modify Registration" button at the bottom of the page.
  4. Click "Next" until on the "Add Spouse" page.
  5. Follow the prompts to input the spouse's information.
  6. Be sure to select "Next" and "Finish" at the end to ensure changes are saved.


What are sponsor credits and how do I use them?


  • As a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Level Sponsor, your company receives a certain amount of credit that can be used towards golf, ticketed events, and booth associate fees at Southern Exposure and additional associate fees and Saturday activities at Southern Innovations. This is provided as part of our sponsorship benefits.
  1. You must still register for those agenda items during the registration process.
  2. Select “Use Sponsor Credit” on the payment page.
  3. We’ll manually deduct your credits and send an invoice if a balance is due.

2023 PHOTO GALLERY

2023 RECAP VIDEO

2023 Southern Innovations, Charlotte, NC

Photo Gallery

Recap Video

STEP-UPP Video

2022 Southern Innovations, Nashville, TN

Photo Gallery

Recap Video

STEP-UPP Video

2021 Southern Innovations, Savannah, GA

Photo Gallery

Recap Video

STEP-UPP Video

2019 Southern Innovations Organics & Foodservice Expo, Nashville, TN

Photo Gallery

Recap Video

STEP-UPP Video

2018 Southern Innovations Organics & Foodservice Expo, Nashville, TN

Photo Gallery

Recap Video

STEP-UPP Video

2017 Southern Innovations Organics & Foodservice Expo, HHI, SC

Photo Gallery

Recap Video

STEP-UPP Video

Retail Organic Tour

2016 Southern Innovations Symposium, Williamsburg, VA

Photo Gallery

2015 Southern Innovations Symposium, Wild Dunes, SC

Photo Gallery

Recap Video

2014 Southern Innovations Symposium, Young Harris, GA

Recap Video

STEP-UPP Video

2013 Fall Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC

2012 Fall Conference, Asheville, NC

Photo Gallery

STEP-UPP Video

2011 Fall Conference

Photo Gallery

STEP-UPP Video

2010 Fall Conference, Savannah, GA

Photo Gallery

2009 Fall Conference, Braselton, GA

Photo Gallery

2008 Fall Conference, Young Harris, GA

Photo Gallery

2007 Fall Conference, Greensboro, NC

Photo Gallery

2006 Fall Conference, Young Harris, GA

Photo Gallery

2005 Fall Conference, Lake Lanier Islands, GA

Photo Gallery

2004 Fall Conference, Lake Lanier Islands, GA

Photo Gallery