Wednesday, September 9, 2009

11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.      Registration Open
East Room, Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Registration Area Sponsored by: Del Monte Fresh Produce, N.A., Inc.
Conference Portfolios Sponsored by: Apio, Inc.
Badges Sponsored by: Ready Pac Foods, Inc.
Lanyards Sponsored by:Frontera Produce
WPPC USB Drives Sponsored by: YottaMark

11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.       Management Resource Center
East Room, Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

This new center will feature tabletop displays and small booths offered by solution providers with tools and services to meet future challenges and opportunities in traceability, food safety, sustainability, government nutrition programs, and other areas being shaped by public policy today. 

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.         United Fresh New Member & First-Time WPPC Attendee Welcome
Rhode Island Room, Second Floor, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Sponsored by: Potandon Produce, LLC

All United Fresh new members and first-time WPPC attendees are invited to join association leaders at an attendee welcome meet and greet.  

2:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.       Advocacy & Grassroots Seminar
Developed in partnership with TheCapitol.Net
State Room, Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

For first-timers and those who want to brush up on their advocacy skills, this seminar will help make you a better industry advocate, offering insights into the thinking of elected officials and tips on how to make your messages memorable.

You’ll learn how to motivate elected officials, top techniques for effective communication, and the "secrets" of working with congressional staff.

Speakers:
Bill LaForge, Attorney, Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C
Brad Fitch, CQ-Roll Call Group
Kam Quarles, Vice President, Government Relations & Legislative Affairs, United Fresh Produce Association

Moderator:
Angela Bezon, Political Affairs Manager, United Fresh Produce Association

5:00 p.m.                          Shuttles will depart for Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill from the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, DeSales Street entrance beginning at 5:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.       Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill
United Fresh Welcome Reception
Cannon Caucus Room, Cannon House Office Building

Fresh Festival Produce Delivery Sponsored by: Belair Produce, Inc.
Fresh Festival Bags Sponsored by: Fox Packaging

This is the produce industry's time to shine! Join more than 500 Members of Congress, legislative staff, key Administration officials, friends and colleagues celebrate fresh produce.  While networking on Capitol Hill, you can sample a delicious array of quality fresh produce displayed by dozens of exhibitors.

Return shuttles will depart for the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel from P Circle at 6:45 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.        Registration Open
East Room, Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.       Opening Keynote Breakfast Session
Grand Ballroom, Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Sponsored by: Chiquita Brands North America

Keynote Speaker:   The Honorable Secretary Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Join us as Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack welcomes the produce industry to two days of important policy progress during our opening keynote breakfast address.  Secretary Vilsack is a staunch supporter of fruits and vegetables and in a unique position of helping guide the Obama Administration’s efforts to increase consumption of fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables.  Don’t miss the Secretary’s look on where our industry is heading.

Also this morning, American Vegetable Grower magazine will present its annual Grower Achievement Award, sponsored by Syngenta Seeds/ROGERS Brand in cooperation with United Fresh Produce Association.  The award honors growers who have taken production agriculture to new levels of innovation in food quality and safety, marketing and technological advancement.

9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.       Management Resource Center Open
East Room, Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.       General Session: A United Produce Voice in DC
Grand Ballroom, Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Co-sponsored by: Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce
Castellini Company, LLC
Dole Food Company
Gills Onions, LLC
GPOD of Idaho
USA Pears

Following breakfast, attendees will participate in a focused discussion on the different legislative and regulatory priorities that will be discussed during our afternoon March on Capitol Hill and Town Hall meeting at the FDA.  Join your United Fresh policy experts to discuss our goals in advocating specific policy priorities for the produce industry.

Moderator:
Tom Stenzel, President & CEO, United Fresh Produce Association

Speakers:
Lorelei DiSogra, Ed.D, R.D., Vice President, Nutrition & Health, United Fresh Produce Association
David Gombas, Ph.D. Senior Vice President, Food Safety & Technology, United Fresh Produce Association
Robert Guenther, Senior Vice President, Public Policy, United Fresh Produce Association
Randy Russell, Partner, Lesher, Russell & Barron, Inc., Legislative Counsel to United Fresh Produce Association

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.     Refreshment Break in the Management Resource Center
                                                East Room, Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Sponsored by: Del Monte Fresh Produce, N.A., Inc.

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.     Luncheon & General Session
Grand Ballroom Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Co-Sponsored by: C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
Tanimura & Antle, Inc.

Keynote Speaker:  The Honorable Sam Farr, U.S. House of Representatives

Join U.S. Representative Sam Farr (D-CA) for a discussion on the importance of improved child nutrition and United’s campaign for a salad bar in every school in America.  Representative Farr has long been a champion of child nutrition, and United is proud to call him an ally in the effort to increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

1:00 p.m.                               Shuttles will depart for Capitol Hill and the Town Hall Discussion with FDA from the Mayflower, DeSales Street exit at 1:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.         March on Capitol Hill - Congressional Visits
After lunch, many WPPC attendees will join with fellow produce industry colleagues to educate Members of Congress on key issues impacting the produce industry.  This is your time to meet with elected officials and their staff “face-to-face” and discuss the produce industry’s policy agenda for the coming year.

1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.         United Fresh Town Hall Discussion
                                                U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Harvey Wiley Building, College Park, Maryland

Sponsored by: Del Monte Fresh Produce, N.A., Inc.

WPPC attendees will join in a candid discussion with key FDA officials on produce food safety, regulatory activities, foodborne disease outbreaks, and risk communications.  Be sure to bring your questions for this important dialogue that is shaping the future of our industry.  Pre-registration and identification are required.

6:00 p.m.                               Shuttles will depart for the United FreshPAC event at National’s Stadium from the Mayflower, DeSales Street exit beginning at 6:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.       Take Me Out to the Ball Game!
National’s Stadium
United FreshPAC Separately Ticketed Event*

Co-Sponsored by: Bayer CropScience
Dole Food Company
Ocean Mist Farms
Rio Queen Citrus
Winter Garden Produce

Plan for a great night of fun in a luxurious private suite as the world-champion Philadelphia Phillies take on the hometown favorite Washington Nationals.  You can dress down after a day on Capitol Hill and enjoy your favorite baseball food and beverages at the game. 

Return shuttles will depart for the Mayflower from National’s Stadium promptly at the end of the game.

*Tickets are available for purchase at the WPPC registration desk.

6:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.      Registration Open
Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.       Breakfast General Session
Grand Ballroom, Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Co-Sponsored by: Grimmway Farms
    KPG Solutions, Inc.

Keynote Speaker:The Honorable Dr. Margaret Hamburg U.S. Food and Drug Administration

As Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Margaret Hamburg plays a critical role in our nation’s food safety policies.  Since assuming her new role at FDA, Dr. Hamburg has provided critical testimony to Congress, contributed to the White House Food Safety Working Group, and overseen the FDA’s recent issuance of commodity specific guidelines for tomatoes, melons, and leafy greens.  Don’t miss this outstanding opportunity to hear Commissioner Hamburg’s perspectives on how the FDA and the produce industry can meet the challenge of improving our nation’s food safety.

During this breakfast session, we’ll recognize the four recipients of the 2009 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarships and the United Fresh Leadership Class 15.

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.        Education Briefings and Tours  
This year’s education sessions offer something for every interest, allowing attendees to enhance their Washington experience with one of our three unique offerings.
Shuttles will depart for the Capitol Visitors Center and the Canadian Embassy from the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, DeSales Street entrance at 9:00 a.m., and will return to the hotel by 11:30 a.m.

Administration Policy Briefing
Cabinet Room, Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Sponsored by: Rio Queen Citrus

Speakers:
Karen Richardson, Liaison, White House Office of Public Engagement
Greg Nelson, Associate Director, Energy, Environment, and Technology, White House Office of Public Liaison
Martha Coven, Special Assistant to the President, Domestic Policy Council

Hear the latest policy details regarding health care, energy/climate change and nutrition from key Obama Administration policy personnel during this briefing.  Join industry colleagues and be part of a tremendous opportunity to have an informed and thoughtful dialogue with President Obama’s staff on the impact these policy priorities will have on our industry.    

U.S. Capitol Tour
Capitol Visitors Center

Sponsored by: The Produce News

Come with us to the new Capitol Visitors Center and tour the United States Capitol, among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. Congress has met here for more than two centuries. Begun in 1793, the Capitol has been built, burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored; today, it stands as a monument not only to its builders but also to the American people and their government.

Canadian Embassy Briefing
Embassy of Canada

Co-Hosted by: The Canadian Embassy & Canadian Produce Marketing Association

Speaker:
Chris Leggett, First Secretary for Agriculture, Embassy of Canada

Join officials from one of our strongest trading allies and visit one of the most beautiful embassies in Washington, DC.  This briefing will give you the opportunity to meet with Canadian agricultural officials to discuss trade opportunities while participating in an important dialogue on Canadian standards and practices.

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.      WPPC Closing Luncheon with CNN Analyst Paul Begala
Grand Ballroom, Promenade Level, Renaissance Mayflower Hotel

Co-Sponsored by:Mex-Best
      The Packer

Keynote Speaker: CNN Analyst Paul Begala

Wrap-up this year's WPPC with an entertaining look at today's political issues with Paul Begala, well-known CNN analyst and former advisor to President Bill Clinton.  Those who've seen Begala in his frequent television appearances know that he balances his strong political viewpoint with wit and insights that even hard-core conservatives can appreciate.

Thank You for Attending the 2009 Washington Public Policy!

See You Next Year ▪ September 14-16, 2010