Ronnie Cohen, vice president of sales for Vision Import Group LLC in River Edge, NJ, said that the company’s experience at the New York Produce Show & Conference has been very good in the past, “and it’s getting better each year,” he said. “Regional shows are more intimate because they draw merchandisers and the folks who work closer to the product at the store level. It also draws regional wholesalers and foodservice operators. The intimate setting gives us a good opportunity to interact with these folks.”

“I like the new timing of the New York Produce Show and Convention,” said Carrie Smith, marketing manager for L&M Cos. Inc., a diversified produce growing, shipping and marketing organization headquartered in Raleigh, NC. “It falls between the PMA Fresh Summit and the Christmas business rush.

Shuman Produce in Reidsville, GA, is riding a hot streak into the New York Produce Show. Already a leading player in the sweet onion market and one of the nation’s top producers of Vidalia onions, Shuman claimed the title of Peruvian onion import leader this season.

Louis Hymel, director of purchasing and marketing for Spice World Inc., headquartered in Orlando, FL, said the company has exhibited at the New York Produce Show & Conference since the first show in 2010.

Vince Consalo, president of Wm. Consalo & Sons Farms Inc., in Vineland, NJ, told The Produce News that the company, a major Northeast distributor of a full line of fruits and vegetables, will be attending the New York Produce Show.

“We are not exhibiting, but this show is a good opportunity for us to have face-to-face time with many of our customers and vendors,” said Mr. Consalo. “Almost everyone we run into at the event is someone we’ve crossed paths with in the past. It’s a great opportunity for us to network with people we know and to meet new ones.

“Duda Farm Fresh Foods has exhibited at the New York Produce Show & Conference since its inception two years ago, and this will be our third,” said Nichole Towell, marketing director for the Oviedo, FL-based company.

“Each year the show proves to be an even bigger success in terms of the foot traffic and types of people visiting. And each year we look forward to meeting with our existing customers in the Northeast and meeting new faces to formulate long lasting relationships,” she said.