PMA foodservice show draws high praise from attendees
PMA foodservice show draws high praise from attendees
MONTEREY, CA If networking truly is the strength of the Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference Tours & Exposition held July 23-25, then produce industry professionals have to be gratified by the more than 1,500 attendees who gathered here.
Included among the 1,500 attendees was double the number of foodservice buyers as last year.
Stephen Wyrick of San Juan Bautista, CA-based Pride of San Juan said, "This is Disneyland for us," adding that the show gets better every year. Mr. Wyrick had renowned chef Emeril Lagasse namesake of the PSJ-licensed Emeril's line of products in tow Sunday on the exhibition floor.
Derrell Kelso Sr. of Stockton, CA-based Onions Etc. Inc. said on Sunday during the exhibition that foot traffic to his booth had been good and that he liked that every booth is 10-by-10 [in size].
Greg Beach of Salinas, CA-based Steinbeck Country Produce Inc. said he liked the relatively small confines of the exhibition room setup, saying on Sunday, So far its good.
Brooke Laughton of Watsonville, CA-based Classic Salads said that attendees looked at the companys elaborate offerings on display and said, Its great networking.
Anthony Gallino of Watsonville, CA-based California Giant said that the show was good for the company. Its been good. Everybodys coming in everybodys consolidated in foodservice, he said, adding that major players like Sysco, Markon, U.S. Foodservice and PRO*ACT all were on hand.
Beverly Camp of Bakersfield, CA-based Discovery Gardens said that this was the companys third year of attending the show, and that by early Sunday, the company already had made two contacts.
Rick Dyer of Gilroy, CA-based Christopher Ranch said that the firm was very, very happy and that they were getting a lot of good feedback from customers. The show was a chance to address concerns and needs and discuss things face to face, Mr. Dyer said.
For the first time in several years, Christopher Ranch some 45 minutes from Monterey had opened itself to a tour in conjunction with the show, and as a result it was seeing more people this year, Mr. Dyer said. Every year we come away [from the show] with a net gain with new business and we maintain existing relationships, he said.
David Gattis of newly launched Salinas, CA-based Simplified Procurement said that the company was giving its own tours. A lot of people have been saying, 'Finally, weve met Simplified Procurement.
Doug Ranno of Salinas-based Colorful Harvest LLC said, Were getting tons of interest in our corn and carrots.
Steve Grinstead of Monterey-based PRO*ACT said that the show always has a great turnout. Mary Wright-Rana of PRO*ACT said that with all of the customers, growers and shippers in attendance, it is a networking show.
Included among the 1,500 attendees was double the number of foodservice buyers as last year.
Stephen Wyrick of San Juan Bautista, CA-based Pride of San Juan said, "This is Disneyland for us," adding that the show gets better every year. Mr. Wyrick had renowned chef Emeril Lagasse namesake of the PSJ-licensed Emeril's line of products in tow Sunday on the exhibition floor.
Derrell Kelso Sr. of Stockton, CA-based Onions Etc. Inc. said on Sunday during the exhibition that foot traffic to his booth had been good and that he liked that every booth is 10-by-10 [in size].
Greg Beach of Salinas, CA-based Steinbeck Country Produce Inc. said he liked the relatively small confines of the exhibition room setup, saying on Sunday, So far its good.
Brooke Laughton of Watsonville, CA-based Classic Salads said that attendees looked at the companys elaborate offerings on display and said, Its great networking.
Anthony Gallino of Watsonville, CA-based California Giant said that the show was good for the company. Its been good. Everybodys coming in everybodys consolidated in foodservice, he said, adding that major players like Sysco, Markon, U.S. Foodservice and PRO*ACT all were on hand.
Beverly Camp of Bakersfield, CA-based Discovery Gardens said that this was the companys third year of attending the show, and that by early Sunday, the company already had made two contacts.
Rick Dyer of Gilroy, CA-based Christopher Ranch said that the firm was very, very happy and that they were getting a lot of good feedback from customers. The show was a chance to address concerns and needs and discuss things face to face, Mr. Dyer said.
For the first time in several years, Christopher Ranch some 45 minutes from Monterey had opened itself to a tour in conjunction with the show, and as a result it was seeing more people this year, Mr. Dyer said. Every year we come away [from the show] with a net gain with new business and we maintain existing relationships, he said.
David Gattis of newly launched Salinas, CA-based Simplified Procurement said that the company was giving its own tours. A lot of people have been saying, 'Finally, weve met Simplified Procurement.
Doug Ranno of Salinas-based Colorful Harvest LLC said, Were getting tons of interest in our corn and carrots.
Steve Grinstead of Monterey-based PRO*ACT said that the show always has a great turnout. Mary Wright-Rana of PRO*ACT said that with all of the customers, growers and shippers in attendance, it is a networking show.
