Southern Exposure 2024 made it’s first trip back to 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. Take a look at some of the faces from the show floor!

Hunter Gibbs, Kristi Hocutt, Khaila Daye and Joey Hocutt, North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

John Farese, Jon Buchwald, Richard Ryan and Mike Smith, Spice World

Luke Shuman of Shuman Farms and Chip Carter

Victoria Wilson and Evan Ehlers, Sharing Excess

Joe Poon, Trey Miller and Rachel Syngo, Melon 1

Will Kornegay, Ripe Revival

Alain Justilien, Avocados From Mexico

Avocados From Mexico

Chip Carter and Shane Curry, The Vidalia Onion Committee

Beiniela and Brenda


Angelic Meza and Ernst Van Eeghen, Church Brothers Farms

Jason Sadoian, Monique Mueller and Sergio Rodriguez, Bee Sweet Citrus

Kelly Hale and Sabrina Pokomandy, Highline Mushrooms

Chip Carter and Kim Andreason, Jason's Deli

Chip Carter and Kristen Hadeed - Keynote Speaker Southern Roots Women's Luncheon

Tony Broom, Mattie Fisher, Michael Fernandes and mystery guest, John Greene Logistics Co.

Tony Broom, Mattie Fisher, Michael Fernandes and Aaron Horne, John Greene Logistics Co.

George Dalie and Ryan McGinnis, Oppy

Kelly Stainner, Rebecca Brockman and Lynette Johnson, Society of St. Andrew

Blare Greenhill, Johnathan Gregory, Kimberly Gregory, Nickey Gregory, Scott Chapman and Andrew Scott, Nickey Gregory Company

Richard Bernstein, First Fruits Farm, Inc