The 2024 Southeast Produce Council Southern Exposure conference and tradeshow was yet another unqualified success, setting new attendance records and bringing in scores of produce buyers from all directions to meet with SEPC’s grower-members.
This is the first time the show has been in Tampa since 2020 – just days after that event concluded the country was shut down due to the pandemic. After three great years in Orlando, the return to Tampa was a triumphant homecoming.
That spirit was evident throughout, with somewhere between 3400-3500 attendees and well over 700 produce buyers, about a 5-to-1 ratio unrivaled by tradeshows elsewhere in the industry.
We covered it all live for our broadcast partner The RFD-TV Network, from the opening night VIP reception to the end of the tradeshow Saturday when we gleaned the floors with the crew from Society of St. Andrew to deliver what was left behind to local food pantries.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW!
Chairman Mike Roberts Welcomes 3400 To Tampa
The SEPC VIP reception on Wednesday night always unofficially kicks off Southern Exposure. It also gives us a chance to talk about the impact of the show and the Council’s work. Chairman Mike Roberts gave us the details.
Georgia Grown Makes A Splash At Southern Exposure Reception
The Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Grown kicked off SEPC Southern Exposure in style with a reception featuring some great Georgia growers and NFL legend Derrick Brooks. We caught up with Matthew Kulinski from the department for this report.
Power Of Produce Reveals Consumer Concerns Over Prices
The unveiling of the annual Power of Produce report from FMI and 210 Analytics is a highlight of Southern Exposure. But this year’s edition had some worrisome insights about how Americans are feeling about their economic pictures and how that impacts the produce world. We caught up with Anne-Marie Roerink for more.
Southern Roots Women’s Branch Celebrates 10 Years At Southern Exposure
A decade ago, the Southeast Produce Council had the vision to create a platform where women in the produce industry could network and share experiences. That’s best on display at Southern Exposure each spring – we caught up with committee leader Kim Andreason of Jason’s Deli for a look at how Southern Roots has evolved.
Southern Roots Keynote Speaker Rose From Humble Beginnings
Author and leadership training expert Kristen Hadeed got her start cleaning toilets. Before long, she’d built a 60-employee company and found her true calling as a leadership trainer, author and moticational speaker. We caught up to tell her story after she delivered the keynote address at the Southern Roots women’s luncheon at Southern Exposure.
Water For All Mangos Bring Help To Villages In Need
A major mango grower is going the extra mile in the Dominican Republic and other areas in need helping people in remote villages get access to clean, reliable water supplies. We caught up with Albert Perez from Continental Fresh and the Water For All brand for the story at Southern Exposure.
Oglesby Has A Unique SEPC Perspective From Both Sides
Only one man at Southern Exposure had the unique perspective of both serving on an SEPC leadership committee – and being currently part of another leadership training program!
Maclaren Oglesby of Sbrocco International shared his thoughts about the experience – and the overall impact and importance of SEPC’s leadership focus.
Triple J Produce Makes A Big Move In The Organic World
One North Carolina farm is making a big move in the organic world. Triple J Produce has been a Southern Exposure mainstay for over 10 years. In Tampa, Kristi Hocutt announced the company’s new acquisition, bringing New Sprout Organic Farms into the family.
A New Generation Comes Home At Shuman Farms
If you’re a fan of Vidalia onions and sweet onions in general you know the name Shuman Farms. Now a new generation of Shumans is joining the business – John Shuman’s oldest son Luke made his first official Southern Exposure appearance and gave his first interview from the show. He also was the first to share the news on TV about how soon you’ll be able to find sweet Vidalias in the supermarket this year!
L&M Founder Joe McGee On 60 Years At The Top
Joe McGee is a legend in the produce world. The company he founded 60 years ago now has farms across the country and feeds Americans in almost every state. The L&M Companies began in Raleigh in 1964 and it hasn’t slowed down since. We caught up with Mr. McGee for a rare interview at Southern Exposure in Tampa.
Society Of St. Andrew Makes Sure There’s No Waste
It would be a shame if all those tons of beautiful food on display at Southern Exposure went to waste and SEPC makes sure they don’t. Where The Food Comes From Food Editor Donna Sanders checked in with this report from Tampa to close the show.
