Lenexa, Kan., (Sep. 14, 2020) – The produce industry’s premier domestic networking event, West Coast Produce Expo (WCPE), will be going virtual in 2020 to ensure the health and safety of participants and to provide the fresh produce industry an enhanced online promotional experience prior to the winter holidays and new year. Along with the transition to virtual, WCPE 2020 is expanding from two days to a week-long celebration, November 9-13, 2020, giving attendees, exhibitors and sponsors more education, networking and sales opportunities.
“We believe the week after Election Day is the perfect time to unite the industry and collectively consider the many variables we are facing, as we wrap up what has undoubtedly been a unique and challenging year,” said Matt Morgan, executive vice president of produce for Farm Journal. “With these challenges come many opportunities, and our industry is fully capable of capitalizing on them with WCPE serving as the launchpad for ideas and solutions.”
Highlights of the expanded educational program will include expert keynote presentations, Q&A sessions with top retailers and an opportunity to view sponsors’ virtual farm tours from the comforts of home and office. Additionally, WCPE will offer the BizMatch sales meeting scheduler service all five days to pair buyers and suppliers based on specific matching criteria.
“In transitioning this event from live to virtual, we prioritized the features that are most valuable to our attendees, exhibitors and sponsors,” said Morgan. “We’re excited that the virtual format will deliver more time to visit the expo, to hear directly from retailers and to facilitate sales.”
Fresh off the success of the recent, fully virtual Farm Journal Field DaysTM and #FarmONTM Benefit Concert, show organizers plan to announce the full lineup of speakers and sessions in the coming weeks, and sponsorships are now available. To learn more about the program and to register for the free event, go to www.westcoastproduceexpo.com.
About Farm Journal
Farm Journal is the nation’s leading business information and media company serving the agricultural market. Started 144 years ago with the preeminent Farm Journal magazine, the company serves the row crop, livestock, produce and retail sectors through branded websites, eNewsletters and phone apps; business magazines; live events including conferences, seminars and tradeshows; nationally broadcasted television and radio programs; a robust mobile-text-marketing business; and an array of data-driven, paid information products. Farm Journal also is the majority shareholder of the online equipment marketplace, Machinery Pete LLC. In 2010, the company established the non-profit, public charity, Farm Journal Foundation, dedicated to sustaining agriculture’s ability to meet the vital needs of a growing population through education and empowerment.
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