JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort
Aventura, Florida

January 13-14, 2025

AGENDA

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GOPEX 2025 AGENDA 

GOPEX 2025 is set to draw retailers, grower-shippers, wholesalers, importers, exporters and other decision-makers from across the fresh produce industry. See our fantastic line-up below of top educational topics!  Additionally, the popular BizMatch meeting scheduler will be offered throughout the event to pair organics suppliers with qualified retail and wholesale buyers.

Time Name Description Location Name More Info
Monday, January 13, 2025
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMRegistration Open  
8:30 AM - 12:30 PMYes, I will be golfing

Join us on the beautiful Miller Course at the JW Marriott Turnberry for a shotgun scramble tournament. Cost is $400 per person. Four-person best shot teams will be assigned the week before the event.

JW Turnberry Miller Course
11:00 AM - 2:30 PMYes, I'll join the afternoon activity at Tidal Cove Pool

Join us for food, cocktails, games and fun at Tidal Cove pool area Monday afternoon. Meet new people and enjoy the beautiful resort waterpark! Drinks and snacks provided. Registration required and limited.

 
12:00 PM - 6:00 PMExhibitor Setup Majestic Ballroom 1-5
3:30 PM - 5:30 PMBizMatch

BizMatch Meetings are pre-determined/scheduled meetings between buyers and sellers.Those who are registered for BizMatch will receive details closer to the event. Want more information about BizMatch? Email us at produceexpos@farmjournal.com 

Majestic Ballroom 6-8
7:00 PM - 9:00 PMOpening Reception

Join us at the "Top Gun" themed opening reception! 

It's Time for a High-Speed Celebration! Your presence is requested for a reception that’s sure to be as fast and furious as a dogfight in the sky. Get ready to engage in high-flying fun as we celebrate with a dangerously good time!

Dress Code: Casual chic with a touch of Top Gun swagger (flight suits optional, aviator sunglasses and dog tags encouraged).

Top Gun Call Sign: PRODUCE

Come for the high-speed dance moves and special celebrity guests, stay for the networking, drinks and food. We’ll see you at the control tower!

Reception Sponsored by:
         

Cascata Pool
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
6:45 AM - 7:45 AMYes, I'd like to join the Sunrise 5K Walk/Run

Join our attendees as we promote health and wellness with our morning 5K Run/Walk. Separate registration required.

Race sponsored by:

Porte Cochere
8:00 AM - 9:30 AMBizMatch

BizMatch Meetings are pre-determined/scheduled meetings between buyers and sellers.Those who are registered for BizMatch will receive details closer to the event. Want more information about BizMatch? Email us at produceexpos@farmjournal.com 

Majestic Ballroom 6-8
8:00 AM - 9:30 AMBreakfast Royal Ballroom
9:30 AM - 10:15 AMWho is today’s organic produce shopper and what’s the secret to driving their loyalty?

Speaker: Darren Seifer, Industry Advisor, Consumer Goods and Foodservice, Circana

While the organic produce category performed well in 2023, with both dollar and volume sales increasing compared to the previous year despite inflationary pressures, organic fruits and vegetables still represent a small segment of the overall market and share has only ticked up marginally in the last 5 years. Darren Seifer, Industry Advisor at Circana, explores what makes the organic produce shopper tick, how organic produce is being seen by current base consumers of "affluent" as well as new emerging vital shopper groups such as Gen Z and how retailers and suppliers can best position themselves to drive sales in the category. 

Royal Ballroom
10:15 AM - 11:00 AMHow retailers are driving organics in-store, online and beyond

Retailers are increasingly leading the charge in organic, regenerative and sustainable agriculture - driving produce sales both in-store and online, while also championing environmental and trade justice initiatives that extend beyond the store's walls. Join us for a panel discussion with top retailers who are making significant strides in organic practices today. Learn about their sustainability initiatives and bold vision for the produce department of tomorrow. Don't miss the opportunity to experience how these industry leaders are shaping the future of produce and what it means to your business. 

Moderator: Kellee Harris, Giumarra
Panelists: Matt Fowler, Natural Grocers
                 Alan O'Donoghue, Sprouts 
                 Chris Miller, Mom's Organic Market

Royal Ballroom
11:00 AM - 12:00 PMEngaging Conscious Consumers: Understanding, Connecting, and Influencing in the Modern Digital World

Speaker Steve Lerch

Consumer behavior and purchase drivers are evolving faster than at any point in human history. The way we gather information, make purchase decisions and even the voices we trust look dramatically different than they did just 5 years ago. And when it comes to reaching the conscious consumer — with an ever-evolving set of health, ethical and environmental values —changes in shopper behavior can be even harder to predict. If the fresh produce industry wants to reach, influence and forge relationships with this important consumer, it needs to understand them, pay attention to what they're paying attention to, care about what they care about, and speak their language. Let’s get started…

 
12:00 PM - 1:00 PMLunch

Grab your lunch and choose your topic! Network with other attendees and recap topics from the morning sessions while enjoying your lunch.

 
12:00 PM - 4:00 PMExpo Open

Showtime! Visit all booths in our expo and see what's new in organics and more.

Majestic Ballroom 1-5
6:30 PM - 8:30 PMClosing Reception

Join us for the final evening of networking. All those new people and connections you made during the event - now is the time for one last conversation and follow-up! Join us for dinner, cocktails and a beautiful Florida sunset outside on the Magnolia Courtyard patio.

Sponsored by:        

Magnolia Courtyard