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The Washington Conference

ENGAGE – ADVOCATE – COLLABORATE

Be a part of the event that unites the entire fresh fruit and vegetable industry in Washington, DC – The Washington Conference – where more than 500 industry leaders converge September 16-18 to address the industry’s most pressing public policy matters.

You will engage in strategic, face-to-face dialogue with key members of Congress, their staff and top regulatory officials. Help us share our industry’s message and educate 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.

Don’t miss fresh produce week in Washington and your opportunity to deliver a powerful message to help shape decisions made in Washington that directly impact your business.

Register Now!

 

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.

  • NEW! They Did What???   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.
  • General Sessions Led by Key Newsmakers: You see them on cable news; now see them up close and personal.  Our nation’s political leaders can’t wait to share their opinions and insights with our industry!
  • 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: In depth sessions that tackle key issues such as immigration reform, food safety, trade and nutrition policy opportunities to increase produce consumption and more.

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.

  • Tuesday, September 17 | U.S. House of Representatives Meetings
  • Wednesday, September 18 | U.S. Senate Meetings

What People Are Saying

Well, there is one thing I love more than produce, and that’s politics! This is the perfect trip for me. I’m sure it will be fascinating!”

– Michelle Cortez, Sales Account Manager, Empacadora G.A.B., Inc. (first time attendee)

“We all attend a number of events throughout the year. However, the Washington Conference is the only platform in which we discuss policy in depth and can bring our message directly to members of Congress. We can express the critical nature of their vote and how their decisions directly impact the future of the fresh produce industry”

– Jackie Caplan Wiggins, Vice President and COO, Frieda’s, Inc. 

“Federal legislation will have a major impact on all of us in the produce industry now and for years to come. We need to talk directly with our lawmakers and government officials to show them how federal policies affect our business.” 
– Ron Carkoski, CEO, New Harvest Foods

 

Schedule At A Glance

Click Here for Detailed Schedule of Events

Schedule at A Glance | Monday, September 16, 2019
8:30 am – 11:30 am Volunteer Leadership Meetings (various locations)
8:30 am – 11:30 am Produce Advocacy Bootcamp
Noon – 2:00 pm Opening General Session Luncheon
2:00 pm- 5:00 pm They Did What??? Lessons Beyond Produce Forum
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill Opening Reception
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
8:00 am – 10:00 am Opening General Session Breakfast
10:15 am – 11:45 am Preparing for Our March on Capitol Hill | Breakout Sessions
Noon – 1:30 pm General Session Luncheon
2:00 pm – 5:30 pm March on Capitol Hill: U.S. House of Representatives Meetings
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm United FreshPAC Reception & Dinner (Separately Ticketed Event)
To learn more or for more information contact Angela Tiwari atiwari@unitedfresh.org 
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
8:00 am – 10:00 am General Session Breakfast
10:00 am – Noon Produce Industry Engagement Meetings Around DC
12:30 – 1:45 pm Capitol Hill Grab and Go Lobby Lunch in the U.S. Senate
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 | Volunteer Leadership Meetings
8:00 am – 4:00 pm Food Safety & Technology 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 & DinnerDetails Coming Soon!

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 and Political Action, at 202.303.3416.