Tag: texas international produce association

GRAPEVINE, TX—I’m a bit of a homer here with Viva Fresh, as I’ve been involved with the show since its inception. This year’s event boasted record attendance and huge enthusiasm from both organizers and attendees.

The holiday season seems the perfect time for the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) to talk about the dabbing Santa sweater guy with the announcement of their 2023 Viva Fresh Expo keynote speaker; Charlie Jabaley.

For the first in-person event in a year, the Texas International Produce Association’s Viva Fresh Expo had three key objectives: get people together — while addressing safety issues — and let them do business.

Like many annual events over the past twelve months, the Viva Fresh Open paused in 2020 while the world coped with an unforeseen pandemic.

Extreme low temperatures, power outages, gas shortages, and ice-covered roadways threaten crops and logistics across Texas.  

Following months of internal discussions and planning, as well as extensive polling of exhibitors and retail-foodservice attendees, our findings suggested there was not only the ability but also a strong preference to move forward with certain in-person experiences (with an emphasis on safety) yet balancing the concerns of today’s world by providing content and engagement opportunities in the on-line space as well.

Going forward, the 2021 Viva Fresh Expo is scheduled for March 23-28, 2021 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

These individuals are acknowledged as trailblazers and innovators, enduring the trials and tribulations for decades that make a life in the fresh produce world.

Everyone's at least 20 pounds down, but there's more to the story.