2019 PMA Fresh Connections: Southern Africa - Sponsors and exhibitors announcement
PMA Fresh Connections: Southern Africa is the key meeting point for the entire fresh produce supply chain in southern Africa. The target audience includes producers, distributors, input and service providers, wholesalers, retailers, importers/exporters, processors and manufacturers.
“This year’s programme for PMA Fresh Connections: Southern Africa brings to the stage more than 20 speakers from six countries to cover a wide range of industry topics, such as global and local industry insights and trends impacting the entire supply chain; considerations of a sustainable future; the impact of various disruptions on the industry; doing business in Africa; and understanding of existing, new and potential international markets,” says Lindie Stroebel, general manager PMA Southern Africa.
“We rely on sponsors to enable us to present expert speakers and to keep registration costs affordable for attendees. In this regard, we are grateful for the support of the following key industry leaders: Joburg Market, Absa Bank, Chep, First National Bank (FNB), Freshworld, Food Lover’s Market, Grow Fresh Produce Agents, Freshmark, Standard Bank, ZZ2, Capespan, Prophet, PPECB, Seminis, Paltrack, Cape Town Market, John Deere Financial, RSA Group, Israel Trade Office, and The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Africa.
“Our exhibition floor area, which is the conference’s key area for networking and building relationships, is sold out,” says Stroebel. “Attendees can look forward to meet and connect with representatives from Joburg Market, Haygrove Growing Systems, Paltrack, Chep, The Fruit Farm Group SA, ELE Trading, NSF International, Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC), Blue North Sustainability, The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, HelloChoice, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum (FPEF), NNZ The Packaging Network, Perishable Products Exports Control Board (PPECB), RSA Group, SA Table Grape Industry (SATGI), Center for Growing Talent (CGT), Palletplast, The High Value Crop & Horticulture Project, WSP Group Africa, and ZZ2.”
Ayanda Kakana, CEO of Joburg Market, which is a sponsor and exhibitor of the event, says: “The Joburg Market has strategically partnered with PMA Fresh Connections: Southern Africa to help deliver cutting-edge insights on emerging trends and developments to fresh produce industry stakeholders, participants and attendees of the conference. This year again, we are looking forward to directly network with global and local decision-makers and influencers across the fresh produce industry supply chain, and the opportunity to expose our company to global and local producers, market agents, other industry peers, buyers and research houses from across South Africa.”
Hendrik Eksteen, CEO at Grow Fresh Produce Agents, describes PMA Fresh Connections: Southern Africa as a highlight on their calendar. “It is always very interesting to hear what speakers from all over the world have to say about the fresh produce industry outside of Africa, in terms of production methods, new ways of marketing into retail, new technology, traceability from seed to consumer level and much more. Most valuable, however, is the network opportunities during the conference. I have not attended one conference without making new industry friends,” says Eksteen.
“Freshmark has been involved in PMA Fresh Connections: Southern Africa right from the start, and is also one of PMA’s longest members in Southern Africa and in the United States of America. Apart from seeing the latest innovation in packaging, seed, and technology on the trade show floor, PMA Fresh Connections: Southern Africa provides a fantastic platform to meet old friends and make new connections. The event is stimulating and enriching,” explains Dr Johan van Deventer, general manager at Freshmark (Shoprite's fruit and vegetable procurement and distribution arm).
For programme information and to register, sponsor and exhibit visit www.pma.com/FCSouthernAfrica.
About PMA:
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) is a trade organisation representing companies from every segment of the global fresh produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing connections that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption. PMA has a unique network of more than 63,000 contacts from more than 2,700 member companies, based in 95 countries across six continents. These contacts span all sizes and types of businesses across the supply chain.
