East Coast Produce Expo 2027

Conference Agenda

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

7:00 AM4:00 PM

Registration & Info Desk

Majestic Ballroom Foyer
7:30 AM5:00 PM

Registration

Majestic Ballroom Foyer

Stop by and pickup your name badge and swag!

5:00 PM8:00 PM

Thursday Night Reception

Corsair Lawn

Free to all attendees! Enjoy a relaxing evening to close out the event on the beautiful Cosair Lawn of the JW Turnberry hotel. Overlooking the golf course, this evening will give you one last chance to connect with all attendees.

7:00 PM9:00 PM

Opening Reception

Royal Ballroom

Get ready to Go For the Gold! Join us for an unforgettable Olympic-themed reception, celebrating the spirit of competition, excellence, and global unity. Mingle with fellow enthusiasts, enjoy delicious refreshments, and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of fun and games. Pineapple bowling, curling and more!  Get in the spirit of the games with team attire! 


Reception Sponsored by:

8:00 AM9:30 AM

BizMatch+

Majestic Ballroom 6-8

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.

9:15 AM1:30 PM

Art Deco Food 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 Fontainbleu hotel provided.

9:15 AM1:30 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 Fontainbleu hotel provided.

11:00 AM2:00 PM

Sand Sculpture Building Contest

Cascata Pool

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.

11:00 AM2:00 PM

Beach Fun Day

Cascata Pool

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.

11:00 AM2:00 PM

Margarita Challenge

Cascata Pool

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.

12:00 PM6:00 PM

Exhibitor Setup

8:00 AM9:00 AM

Breakfast

Royal Ballroom

Start the day with breakfast sponsored by:  

9:30 AM9:50 AM

Fresh Trends 2027: Consumer Insights Revealed

Royal Ballroom
Jennifer Strailey

ECPE attendees will get a first look at The Packer’s annual consumer report that takes a deep dive into 50 fresh fruit and vegetable commodities, exploring the why behind the buy of five generations of produce shoppers. What’s driving produce purchase today and how you can capture a larger share of the basket? We’ll reveal data, insights and analysis from the report that will inform your success in the year ahead and beyond.

Speakers:  Jen Strailey, Produce Editorial Director, The Packer / Farm Journal

9:50 AM10:30 AM

Harnessing the Marketing Mindset of CPGs to Fuel Produce Consumption

Royal Ballroom
Kevin Hamilton · Cristie Mather · Kim Chackal · John Cymbol · Christina Herrick · Lance Burditt

This panel of marketing gurus will explore how bringing a CPG sensibility
to fresh produce marketing campaigns can elevate brands, cultivate loyal
customers and drive consumption. Panelists will discuss their most successful
campaigns to date and why they resonated, providing you with inspiration and
actionable takeaways for your business. 

Moderators:  Lance Burditt, Senior Vice-President, Food & Agricultural Sustainability 
                     Christina Herrick, Produce Editor, The Packer
Panelists:
Kevin Hamilton, Vice President of Global Marketing Communications for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
Cristie Mather, Vice President Marketing,  Mushroom Council
Kim Chackal, Co-Owner, VP Sales & Marketing , Equifruit
John Cymbal, Co-Founder - Chief Marketing Officer, Molly's Grape & Citrus Company

10:30 AM11:30 AM

Success is a Journey, Not a Destination

Royal Ballroom
Dominique Dawes

SPEAKER:  Dominique Dawes, Three-time Olympian, Olympic Gold Medalist, and Gymnastics Academy Owner

11:30 AM4:00 PM

Expo Open & Lunch

Majestic Ballroom 1-5

Maximize your trade show experience by taking advantage of our dedicated expo hours and prime networking opportunities on the show floor. Explore the latest innovations, connect with industry leaders, and forge valuable partnerships.

Lunch Sponsored by:

3:00 PM5:30 PM

BizMatch+

Majestic Ballroom 6-8

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.