A record number of exhibitors are expected for the 25th Produce, Floral & Foodservice Expo hosted by the New England Produce Council from Aug. 18-19 in Everett, Mass.
About 1,000 attendees including retail, foodservice and wholesale buyers are expected to converge once again on the Encore Boston Harbor hotel resort, says Laura Sullivan, NEPC executive director. A total of 173 exhibitors, including floral, are set to participate in the show.
“We were able to add 14 more booths, and even with that, we were sold out with a wait list,” Sullivan says.
Event Outlook
The exhibit space might be snapped up, but companies still can promote themselves and their products through various sponsorship opportunities. Sponsors will be highlighted in multiple ways, including signage, slideshow presentations and marketing materials, Sullivan says.
Visitors to the produce exhibits will be welcomed to the show floor by floral vendors, who will set up their colorful tabletop displays outside the entrance.
“It will look great and smell great as visitors enter the produce part of the show,” Sullivan says.
That arrangement was used a few years ago, and the council decided to stage an encore presentation this year, she says.
The 12 members of the newly launched NEPC Leadership Program will be able to take a market tour and attend the show.
“We're excited to introduce our leadership group to our show so they can experience the tradeshow atmosphere and meet other people in the industry,” Sullivan says.
The well-received Produce Feud game show will return, where six competing teams will attempt to answer pop culture and produce-related questions.
Sullivan points out the NEPC show does not have educational sessions.
“We want [attendees] to spend 100% of their time going booth to booth and having face time with the vendors and creating new relationships and fostering and maintaining relationships that they already have,” she says.
A Monday reception featuring food, drinks and entertainment is scheduled to kick off the show.
“It's a time to relax and mix and mingle before the show on Tuesday,” Sullivan says.
Encore Boston Harbor seems to be a popular venue.
“It's nice having everybody under one roof for all the elements of the show,” she says. “You don't really need to leave the property once you get there.”
The casino made it a no-brainer, she adds.
Sullivan also is a 29-year NEPC member.
“I remember the very first show in south Boston,” she says. “Each year we learn something new and different that we can improve on and make better.”
Sullivan says attendees should preregister at newenglandproducecouncil.com.
Exhibitor Insights
The Packer reached out to some of this year's exhibitors who were eager to share their enthusiasm for the NEPC expo, the venue and the overall experience.
Maurice A. Auerbach Inc., based in Secaucus, N.J., has exhibited at all 25 of the NEPC shows, says Bruce Klein, director of marketing.
“We do a great deal of business in the New England region, and this show draws all of our major customers in the area,” he says.
The show is a good opportunity for networking, and the venue is great, Klein says.
This year, the company will show about 60 products, including asparagus, peeled and bulk garlic, shallots, ginger, limes, Asian specialties, root vegetables and
organic garlic, shallot and ginger packages.
The NEPC show actually helps Nash Produce, Nashville, N.C., develop its product line, says Robin Narron, marketing director and sales support.
“We're able to have face-to-face conversations and more one-on-one personal conversations with buyers, category managers and others and find out what their thoughts are,” she says. “They know more of what is selling in the stores, and what tends to work.”
Don Sparks of the Nash sales team attends the show and loves the coastal location, the people who attend and the ability to reconnect with colleagues, Narron says.
Nash, which has exhibited for 15 years, will show off its premium North Carolina sweetpotatoes and Mr. Yam product line.
Matt Zapczynski, Northeast promotion director for the Eagle-based Idaho Potato Commission, lives in the Northeast and appreciates the chance to connect with customers and get to know them better.
“This show has always provided us an opportunity to connect with and engage with the decision-makers who are helping us sell Idaho potatoes in the region,” Zapczynski says.
He plans to use the opportunity to tell visitors about what sets Idaho potatoes apart from other tubers.
“Idaho potatoes are special due to their unique growing environment — rich volcanic soil, clean mountain water and a climate that produces a fluffy texture and full flavor,” Zapczynski says.
While the majority of those attending the NEPC expo are produce buyers and sellers, Smith's Farm in Saint Augustine, Fla., sees a chance to interact with fellow growers as well as customers, says Megan Adams, executive assistant.
“There's a strong sense of community throughout the event,” Adams says. “We exhibit to spend time with our customers and the ag community in general.”
The company, which has been exhibiting for 10 years, appreciates the intimate setting, “which allows us to engage in meaningful conversations with our existing customers and connect with potential new ones,” she says.
Smith's Farm plans to showcase its Maine broccoli and cauliflower this year.
Stemilt Growers Inc. is based in Wenatchee, Wash., in the Northwest, but the Northeast is a key distribution area with some major customers there, says Brianna Shales, marketing director.
Tim Harrington and Dashan Dookhu, East Coast merchandising managers, will be there focusing on Stemilt's Artisan Organics apples, Rushing Rivers pears, Cosmic Crisp apples and its signature Lil Snappers kid-size fruit program, Shales says.
Stemilt has been exhibiting for 15 years.
“[The NEPC expo] is fast-paced but small enough that it allows attendees to see and visit each booth,” she says.
Mike Smith, senior vice president sales and marketing for Orlando, Fla.-based Spice World Inc., sees the NEPC show as a terrific networking event for the produce industry.
“We appreciate any opportunity to speak face-to-face with our customers,” Smith says. “It is vital to keep Spice World's name and products top-of-mind and discuss customers' needs as we continue to build relationships.”
Spice World's regional sales team, which includes Drew Caneza, vice president of sales, and Brigid Harvey, sales manager, are set to be at the expo.
The company will feature its entire product line, which includes an array of garlic offerings, Easy Onion and the newest products introduced last fall: refrigerated fresh diced garlic, refrigerated peeled ginger and a garlic and ginger seasoning blend.
This will be the fifth year Bland Farms, Glennville, Ga., will exhibit, says Sloan Lott, director of sales.
“Every year brings new opportunities to connect and grow,” he says.
Bland Farms uses the NEPC show to support and strengthen its relationships with the Northeast retailers the company serves and to expand its reach in the region, Lott says.
“It's a key market for us, and the show helps us stay in sync with what buyers are looking for,” he adds.
The company plans to show Sand Candy sweetpotatoes and Bland Farms Vidalia sweet onions and premium sweet onions.
Sabrina Pokomandy, director of business development and marketing for Ontario-based Highline Mushrooms, is impressed by how intentional and energized the conversations are at the expo.
“It's a space where buyers and suppliers come ready to collaborate, problem-solve and explore what's next for the category,” she says. “The scale of the show keeps things focused, which means every interaction has depth and impact.”
This is the third consecutive year the company will exhibit, and Highline will spotlight its new rebrand now on shelves across North America, Pokomandy says.
“Built to drive impact at retail, our refreshed packaging features vibrant color cues and clear tills that showcase quality and freshness instantly,” she adds.
Vaughan, Ontario-based Taylor Fresh Canada Foods has exhibited for more than 10 years because the show offers “a unique opportunity to showcase our latest innovation and speak to the freshness and quality we pride ourselves on,” says Amanda Knauff, vice president of sales for Canada and the Northeast U.S.
“The NEPC consistently puts their best foot forward in organizing a valuable, well-attended show year after year,” she adds.
This year, Taylor Farms is set to highlight its lineup of products across various retail, foodservice and deli segments.
“You can expect to see our top-selling Taylor Farm Chopped Kits, as well as Earthbound Farm Organic and Earthbound Farm Greenhouse SKUs,” Knauff says.
Miami-based J&C Tropicals first exhibited at the NEPC expo last year and plans to return this year.
“We're excited to be back,” says Denise Gomez, marketing manager. “After a successful first year, we knew we wanted to return and continue building relationships in the region.”
The company will showcase tropical produce, including rambutans, Namzen coconuts, red and Thai guavas, turmeric, ginger, dragon fruit, mangoes and more.
“These items continue to gain popularity, and we believe they're a great fit for the diverse and health-conscious consumer base in the New England region,” Gomez says.
NEPC 2025 Expo Schedule
Monday, Aug. 18
- Exhibitor setup — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Picasso Ballroom
- VIP reception (for sponsors and VIP guests) — 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Picasso Ballroom
- Cocktail reception — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., South Lawn
Tuesday, Aug. 19
- Exhibitor setup (extended hours) — 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., Picasso Ballroom
- Expo breakfast and produce game show — 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m., Picasso Ballroom
- Exhibit hall opens — 9:10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Picasso Ballroom
- Lunch — 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Exhibitor move-out — Beginning 4 p.m. (no early booth breakdown allowed), Picasso Ballroom
