SCOTTSDALE, AZ — The National Watermelon Association’s 109th annual convention, held Feb. 21-24, here, at the We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center, featured many of the time-honored traditions of past conventions such as the National Watermelon Queen competition, the seed spitting contest and the annual watermelon auction.

Kevin D. Moffitt, president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest, is stepping down after 35 years with the organization as of July 1.

The responsibilities in his role as president include developing and overseeing the strategic communication, research, marketing and promotion programs designed to help bring profitable returns to the 700 grower families located in Washington and Oregon by increasing awareness and consumption of fresh pears.

The Fruitist has agreed to a multi-year partnership with D.C. United, an American professional men’s soccer club based in Washington, DC, and one of the most decorated major league soccer teams in the United States.

The California Fresh Fruit Association and the California Table Grape Commission are presenting table grape industry leader Domenick (Cookie) Bianco with the Lifetime Achievement Award at CFFA’s 88th annual meeting on March 11.

Dole plc has reached an agreement to sell its 65 percent equity stake in Progressive Produce LLC to PTF Holdings LLC, the parent company of Pacific Trellis Fruit LLC and a portfolio company of Arable Capital Partners. Dole will receive gross cash proceeds of $120.25 million from this sale.

Washington Fruit Growers promotes year-round availability on all its apple varieties and Dan Davis, director of business development for the Yakima, WA-based company shed light on the intricate planning and dedicated efforts driving its unwavering commitment to delivering superior fruit year-round.