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The Washington Conference

September 21-23, 2020 | Washington, D.C.

The event that unites the entire fresh fruit and vegetable industry in Washington, D.C. – The United Fresh Washington Conference – where hundreds of industry leaders converged September 16-18 to address the industry’s most pressing public policy matters.

Attendees engaged in strategic, face-to-face dialogue with key members of Congress, their staff and top regulatory officials. They shared our industry’s message and educated the nation’s top policymakers on the importance of the full supply chain of fresh fruits and vegetables and the sector’s impact on jobs, growth, and consumer demand.

Fresh produce week in Washington is your opportunity to deliver a powerful message to help shape decisions made in Washington that directly impact your business.

The 2020 United Fresh Washington Conference will be held September 21-23, 2020 at the Grand Hyatt Washington. 

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Get a recap of all the action that took place at the 2019 conference.

Event Coverage

     

 

Why Attend?

Collaborate: Join Forces, Learn Together and From Each Other

Hear unique perspectives on the crucial issues impacting business from policy experts and industry leaders.

  • Venture Beyond the Fresh Produce Aisle:   Let’s take a break and learn from other industries! Join industry executives, top association CEOs, and government relations leaders from other industries to see how they approach issues in DC. Hear from and ask questions of influential opinion leaders from outside produce and get
    unique insight.
  • Policy Engagement & X-Change Session: Learn the latest on key policy topics impacting the fresh produce industry, then work through an interactive role-playing dialogue to polish your message before delivering your personal appeal to Members of Congress.
  • NEW! Produce Advocacy Bootcamp: Don’t be intimidated if it’s your first time in Washington. Together we will rock out this interactive bootcamp that will make you feel prepared and give you effective strategies for the week’s congressional meetings. 
  • Preparing for Our March on Capitol Hill: Access a variety of resources to inform your message on Capitol Hill, shape your awareness and prepare you and your company for a successful three days in Washington, D.C.

Engage: Network with Every Segment of the Fresh Produce Industry

Hundreds of attendees from every segment of the industry and engage directly with top political and policy experts on the issues of the day in an intimate experience. United Fresh members interact with and learn from fellow industry leaders including grower-shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesaler-distributors, retail food-service and service providers. The following conference events provide a prime opportunity to make connections within the industry:

Advocate: Two Days of Congressional Meetings

Take the Power of Fresh to the nation’s top policymakers in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to share the importance of the full fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain’s impact on jobs, growth, and consumer demand.

What People Are Saying

Schedule At A Glance

2019 Detailed Schedule

Monday, September 16, 2019

8:00 – 11:30 am Produce Advocacy Bootcamp
8:30 – 11:30 am Volunteer Leadership Meetings (various locations)
11:30 am – 5:00 pm Partners and Solutions Center open
Noon – 5:00 pm Venture Beyond the Fresh Produce Aisle
Opening General Session Luncheon
6:00 – 7:30 pm Celebrate Fresh Opening Reception on Capitol Hill

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

7:00 am – 2:00 pm Partners and Solutions Center open
8:00 – 10:00 am Opening General Session Breakfast
10:15 – 11:45 am Policy Engagement & X-Change Sessions
Noon – 1:30 pm General Session Luncheon
2:00 – 5:30 pm March on Capitol Hill: U.S. House of Representatives Meetings
6:30 – 8:30 pm United FreshPAC Reception & Dinner (Separately Ticketed Event)
To learn more contact Angela Tiwari, Director of Grassroots & Political Action, at 202.303.3416.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

7:30 – 10:00 am Partners and Solutions Center open
8:00 – 10:00 am General Session Breakfast
10:00 am – Noon Produce Industry Engagement: Beyond Capitol Hill
12:30 – 1:45 pm U.S. Senate Lunch Gather-and-Go
2:00 – 5:00 pm March on Capitol Hill: U.S. Senate Meetings
6:00 – 8:00 pm United Fresh Board of Directors and Leadership Alumni 25th Anniversary Celebration (Separately Ticketed Event)

Thursday, September 19, 2019

8:00 am – 3:00 pm Board of Directors Meeting

*Schedule subject to change.

Volunteer Leadership MeetingsMarket Segment Boards and Expert Policy Councils

United Fresh Produce Association is led by more than 450 individuals currently serving in elected or appointed positions of leadership. These volunteer leaders represent our member companies throughout the entire produce supply chain from farm to table. Attendees are welcome to observe market segment boards and expert policy council meetings.

Monday, September 16, 2019
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Food Safety & Technology Council
8:00 am – 11:00 am Government Relations Council
8:30 am – 11:30 am Volunteer Leadership Meetings
Grand Hyatt Washington | various locations

Finance & Business Management Council
Government Relations Council
Produce Marketing & Merchandising Council
Supply Chain Logistics Council
Fresh-Cut Processor Board
Grower-Shipper Board
Wholesaler-Distributor Board
Retail-Foodservice Board
Foundation Board of Trustees and Committees
Alumni Organization Board

Thursday, September 19, 2019
8:30 am – 3:00 pm United Fresh Board of Directors

 

United FreshPAC Reception & DinnerThe Willard

Advocate of the Year Award

Never has there been a more critical time for the produce industry to come together in Washington, D.C. to experience the Power of Fresh!

For more information and to get engaged, contact Angela Tiwari, Director of Grassroots & Political Action, at 202.303.3416.