LAS VEGAS, NV -- One might expect Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Produce Association, to speak enthusiastically about his association's just-concluded convention and exposition, held here May 4-7. And he did. But so did many others.

"This was a great convention for us," said Frank Maconachy, president of Ramsay Highlander in Salinas, CA.

Are there enough good, talented produce managers available to go around the supermarket industry today? Trying to find a fully qualified and top-rated produce manager is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Steffanie Smith, chief executive officer of River Point Farms LLC in Hermiston, OR, was honored Monday night, May 5 at the United Fresh Produce Association's Women in Produce reception.

The annual reception honors all women working in the fresh produce industry, and pays special tribute to one outstanding female industry leader.

In her remarks to a crowd of several hundred attendees, Ms. Smith offered these tips to success: Never start anything you don't plan on finishing, invest in people, and be as good a listener as you are a communicator.

It is time to make the connection at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association's 83rd annual convention and trade show. "The convention is the largest of its kind in Canada and is the best opportunity for key members of the produce industry to interact and develop business and personal relationships, which last a lifetime," Ron Lemaire, CPMA executive vice president and director of marketing, told The Produce News.

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Representatives of tomatoes, leafy greens and tree fruit crops advocated commodity-specific food safety guidelines at a United Fresh Produce Association seminar during the organization's annual convention, here, May 4-7.

A trio of speakers representing dozens of crops agreed on the message that one standard does not fit all, so commodity-specific guidelines are necessary.

TFM International Inc., a produce marketing consulting firm in Mulberry, FL, is now representing Miami-based M&M Farm Inc., a grower-shipper specializing in tropicals.

TFM International, previously the exclusive marketing representative of J&C Tropicals in Miami, is looking to expand its client base, according to Mark Vertrees, president and owner of the firm.

"I am basically functioning as M&M's marketing manager," Mr. Vertrees said. "I created this firm to be other people's marketing directors."