East Coast Produce Expo 2027

Conference Agenda

Sessions, panels, and the full schedule for the fresh produce industry's premier East Coast kickoff event.

3:00 PM–5:00 PM

Registration & Info Desk

LUSTER GALLERIE
5:00 PM–7:00 PM

Thursday Night Reception

Ocean Lawn
8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Registration & Info Desk

9:15 AM–1:30 PM

Little Havana Food Tour

Discover some of the most authentic Cuban cuisine outside of the island
on a culinary adventure like no other in Little Havana. From sizzling empanadas
and mouthwatering Cubanos to refreshing mojitos and rich coladas, Little Havana
is a food lover's paradise. Our expert guides will take you on a gastronomic
journey introducing you to hidden gems and family-owned establishments that
have been serving up traditional Cuban fare for generations. Transportation from Fontainebleau hotel provided. Registration is $130.00 per person. 

 

9:15 AM–1:30 PM

Wynwood Food and Street Art Tour

Explore South Beach’s iconic Art Deco architecture on a guided walking tour that blends history, design, and colorful stories of mob life, celebrities, and local legends. This easy, neighborhood-level experience starts and ends in the heart of Miami, offering a great introduction to the area while highlighting landmarks like the Versace mansion. Transportation from Fontainbleau hotel provided. Registration is $130.00 per person. 

10:00 AM–3:00 PM

Beach Fun Day

Fontainebleau Beach

Looking to connect with fellow Produce Expo participants while taking in the
Florida sun? Spend the day at the beach enjoying games, beach volleyball, and plenty of laid-back fun with friends or family. It’s the perfect way to relax, stay active, and make the most of a sunny beach day. Registration is $75.00 per person. 

Sponsored by:

 D Produce Company | Coral Gables FL

11:00 AM–1:00 PM

Sand Sculpture Building Contest

Fontainebleau Beach

Build a sand sculpture challenge on the beach where teams compete to create the best sandcastle or sand art piece. It’s a fun, hands-on activity that encourages creativity, teamwork, and a little friendly competition by the water. Registration is $85.00 per person. 

1:00 PM–6:00 PM

Exhibitor Setup

Sparkle Ballroom
1:00 PM–2:00 PM

Margarita Challenge

Fontainebleau Beach

Team up with fellow produce expo attendees in a margarita challenge to craft the best cocktail using unique, creative ingredients. It’s a fun, friendly competition that brings people together over fresh flavors, a little creativity, and plenty of spirited camaraderie. Registration is 75.00 per person. 

2:30 PM–5:30 PM

BizMatch+

Fontaine Ballroom

BizMatch+ sessions are pre-determined scheduled meetings between buyers and sellers. These are pre-scheduled in advance.
Your company will be notified with your scheduled meetings if you are participating.

3:45 PM–5:00 PM

Fresh Connections Circuit

Splash Ballrooms 9-12
7:00 PM–9:00 PM

Friday Night Reception

Ocean Lawn
6:45 AM–7:45 AM

Sunrise Run/Walk

Fontainebleau Beach
8:00 AM–9:00 AM

Breakfast

Fontaine Ballroom
8:00 AM–9:00 AM

BizMatch+

Splash Ballrooms 9-12

BizMatch+ sessions are pre-determined scheduled meetings between buyers and sellers. These are pre-scheduled in advance.
Your company will be notified with your scheduled meetings if you are participating.

8:30 AM–9:10 AM

What Shoppers Want Next: Top Insights From Fresh Trends 2027

Fontaine Ballroom

Get an exclusive first look at the defining consumer behaviors, buying habits and shifts shaping the produce aisle from The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2027 report. Based on an extensive nationwide survey of over 1,000 consumers spanning every generation and income level, this session delivers a comprehensive deep dive into the emerging preferences, category demands and drivers dictating retail performance in the year ahead. Join us as we unpack the data intelligence and translate macro trends into practical growth strategies for maximum profitability in 2027.

8:30 AM–11:30 AM

Education

Fontaine Ballroom
9:10 AM–9:50 AM

Mastering Crisis Response and Recall Readiness Across the Supply Chain

Fontaine Ballroom

When an outbreak hits, a breakdown anywhere from the farm to the fork compromises the entire produce supply chain. This session explores end-to-end food safety and crisis management best practices, equipping grower-packer-shippers, retailers and foodservice operators with actionable strategies for maintaining cross-channel transparent communication, minimizing financial and reputational damage, and managing consumer sentiment during a high-stakes outbreak. With the FDA's FSMA 204 enforcement deadline set for July 20, 2028, this panel highlights why supply chain partners cannot afford to treat traceability as a distant priority; true crisis resilience demands continuous data alignment, rigorous record-keeping and operational diligence starting today.

9:50 AM–10:30 AM

Capital Strategies for Growth: Financing and Liquidity Solutions for Grower-Packer-Shippers

Fontaine Ballroom

Navigating input cost volatility, labor overhead, high interest rates and multi-month capital outlay cycles requires a financial playbook custom-built for the unique risk profile of grower-packer-shippers. This session addresses the specific liquidity and capital allocation pain points facing produce operations today. Financial experts and industry leaders will explore strategic lending solutions, tailored credit structures, working capital management, and alternative funding mechanisms designed to optimize cash flow between planting, harvest and retail distribution. 
 

10:30 AM–11:30 AM

Keynote Address

Fontaine Ballroom

Keynote Speaker Details will be updated in the upcoming months! Check back for more details. 

11:30 AM–4:00 PM

Expo Open & Lunch

Sparkle Ballroom