JW MARRIOTT DESERT
SPRINGS RESORT & SPA

May 30 - June 1, 2024

AGENDA

All agenda items listed below are subject to change.
 

Thursday, May 30, 2024

11:00 am

Registration Open

Center Registration
Counter

12:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Sustainable Produce Summit Education Sessions

Click here for a full agenda of all SPS speakers and sessions

Springs Ballroom G-L

4:30 - 7:30 pm

Dinner on Your Own

 

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Shots In The Night Reception

Join us for a fun night of drinks and desserts at Coachella Valley’s best outdoor golf entertainment experience.  Perfect fun for after dinner!  

Transportation will be provided.
Buses will begin loading at 7:30pm and return back to the JW Marriott at 10pm.

Separate Registration Required - please RSVP.  Included with SPS registration. $25 add-on for West Coast Expo only attendees.

Friday, May 31, 2024

6:30am - 12:30 pm

Golf Tournament - Palm Course
6:30am Breakfast /   7:00am Shotgun Start

(additional registration fee applies. Teams will be assigned and emailed out two weeks before the event.)

JW Marriott Pro Shop

6:30 am - 11:30 am

Farm Field Tours
Breakfast available before bus departs. Bus departs at 6:30am
(additional registration fee applies)

Various Locations Off Site

7:00am - 10:00am

Pickleball Tournament       
Breakfast available. 7:00am start

(additional registration fee applies. Register to play or
come as a spectator and enjoy watching the fun!
Round robin tournament style - no partner needed!)

JW Marriott Tennis Courts

8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Registration Open

Center
Registration Counter

11:00 am - 7:00 pm

Exhibitor Move In

Sinatra Ballroom

2:30 pm - 5:00 pm

BizMatch

(Pre-determined scheduled meetings between buyers and sellers). 
 

Springs Ballroom A-F

7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Opening Reception - The Run for the Roses

Kentucky Derby Theme
And we're off!  Join us for a fun evening filled with lots of food, drinks and games. Come dressed with your best hat or Kentucky Derby attire and be ready to mix and mingle. 

The Grove

Saturday, June 1, 2024

7:00 am -
8:00 am

Produce & Pilates: A Yoga Experience 
(additional registration fee applies)

Sponsored by: Trinity Fruit

Location: The Grove

8:00 am -
9:15 am

BizMatch

(Pre-determined scheduled meetings between
buyers and sellers. BizMatch is full for this years event.)

Location: Springs Ballroom A-F

8:15 am -
9:15 am

Breakfast

Sponsored by: Nature Sweet

Location: Springs Ballroom G-L

8:45 am - 9:15 am

Labor & Talent Acquisition Panel
Industry experts and college students share their experiences and perspectives on salaries, interests, benefits, career goals and examine unique hiring challenges in the produce industry.

Sponsored by:  Sunview

Moderator:  Mary Maranville, Students for Eco-Education & Agriculture

Panelists:  Adam Brumberg, Cornell University
Kaylee Yin, Cornell University
Koushik Saha, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo
Jayna Kaur, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo

Location: Springs Ballroom G-L

9:15 am - 10:00 am

Why the Future of Produce is NOW
Jonna Parker, team lead of Fresh Foods at Circana, will share the latest consumer and sales trends on how households are eating and shopping for total food and beverage and how it spells opportunity for the future of fresh produce.

Speaker: Jonna Parker, Circana


Location: Springs Ballroom G-L

10:00 am - 10:10 am

The Packer and Equitable Food Initiative Present the Grow the Good Farmworker of the Year award

 

10:10 am - 11:00 am

The Right Stuff: Meet the Retailers Keeping Shoppers Coming Back for More

From product mix and the power of private label to price sensitivity and sustainable packaging, today’s produce retailers are navigating an ever-changing world of challenges and opportunities in-store and online. Join us to hear how leading retailers including Amazon,  Grocery Outlet and Cardenas Markets are meeting these challenges and seizing the opportunities to increase produce purchase.

Moderator:  Daniel Bell, Director of Produce, Grocery Outlet

Panelists:  Charchil Shah, Sr. Product Manager, Business Lead (Amazon Fresh Private Brands)

Shonna Williams, VP of Produce & Floral,  Heritage Grocers Group

David Dudley, Sr. Category Manager, Sprouts Farmers Market



Location: Springs Ballroom G-L

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Keynote Speaker:  Erik Wahl

Internationally recognized artist, TED speaker, and No. 1 bestselling author. Read and find out more about Erik Wahl!

 

Speaker: Erik Wahl

 

Location: Springs Ballroom G-L

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Lunch Served

Location: Springs Ballroom A-F

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Expo Open

Location: Sinatra Ballroom

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Expo Closing Reception
Join us for a cocktail to end the day while making those last stops on the trade show floor!

Sponsored By:  John Greene Logistics Company  & Grub Market

Location: Sinatra Ballroom & Foyer

5:00 pm

Expo Closes

Location: Sinatra Ballroom