Washington, DC - Registration is now open for the United Fresh Research & Education Foundation's third annual Produce Executive Development Program.

In partnership with Cornell University, the program will be held March 8-13, 2009 at the Statler Hotel & Executive Conference Center on the Cornell Campus in Ithaca, NY. The last two years of the program have sold out, and United Fresh expects this year’s course to do the same.

Now in its third year, the program is designed for mid- to senior-level executives who are interested in achieving a competitive edge and helping their companies address the key challenges and opportunities faced by today’s produce industry. This year’s program will include issues critical to both personal career development and larger business challenges such as: changes in retail and foodservice climates, competitive strategy development, negotiation & conflict resolution, new product development, global food industry trends, supply chain effectiveness, plus a survival guide to financial planning. The program is also slated to include numerous guest speakers, case study exploration, working groups and discussion.

The program is open to United Fresh members and non-members alike, and in the interest of keeping class sizes both informative and intimate, enrollment is limited. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. For United Fresh members, the registration fee is $4,995 if booked prior to January 5, 2009, and $5,500 if booked after. For non-members, the registration fee is $7,995 if booked before the January 5 deadline, and $8,500 if booked after. The tuition fee includes 5 nights lodging, instruction, books, supplies, breakfasts, luncheons and several special dinners.  Parties interested in additional information or to register for the program can download the registration form here, or contact Beth Berman, United Fresh education manager at 202-303-3400 ext. 405.

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Founded in 1998, the United Fresh Research & Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that offers specialized programs to meet members’ needs in educational training, leadership development, food safety outreach and industry research. Foundation programs are designed to promote knowledge, leadership and growth in the produce indus­try. The Foundation is an affiliate organization of the United Fresh Produce Association.