Jan 23, 2023

Registration for Viva Fresh event starts

Registration for the 2023 Viva Fresh Expo is scheduled to open on Jan. 25.

Sponsored by the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA), the event is being billed as “Bigger, Bolder, Fresher and Better than ever,” according to a news release.

The March 30 – April 1 event is returning to the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. On Jan. 25, attendee registration will go online at www.vivafreshexpo.com/attendees.

“Not only does Viva Fresh shine a light on the importance of Texas – especially the Rio Grande Valley – as a vital trade corridor and production zone for fresh fruits and vegetables, but it also puts a large focus on promoting healthy eating and adopting a healthy lifestyle,” Dante Galeazzi, TIPA’s CEO and president Dante Galeazzi, said in the release. “The three-day event will have everything the industry loves: great food, plenty of networking, unique education, and building relationships in a vibrant, relaxed, and intimate setting.”

The return of popular events including the Viva Fresh Open Golf Tournament, Grapevine Winery Tours as well as the In Bloom Women in Produce reception should provide participants the expectation that this year’s show should be better than before, according to the release.

The event’s keynote lunch is expected to allow attendees to experience a “contagious burst of energy unlike any speaker before.” Inspirational speaker Charlie Jabaley, known as Charlie Rocket, a former Atlanta rap record executive turned health advocate, athlete and philanthropist, is planning to share his energy. Jabaley’s story of music label success and fame were interrupted by a health crisis turned second chance. His story will inspire, and his energy will motivate everyone to raise the bar on following their dreams, according to the release.

Making a comeback is the highly anticipated women’s event, In Bloom. Designed to empower and advance women in produce, the event continues to grow in popularity as members join and share their learning and experiences at the event and throughout the year.

This year’s event will sport a game-show theme, where guests can expect to win valuable insights while networking and continuing to build their community. Conceived at the 2019 Viva Fresh Expo, In Bloom utilizes shared opportunities, networking, mentorship, advocacy and professional development, while also offering a supportive environment of women committed to helping each other.

For younger produce industry leaders, returning by popular demand is the Viva Fresh’s Y-TIPA reception. The event is designed to bring together industry members under the age of 35 to network and learn from each other. Last year’s inaugural event was a huge success with more than 100 attendees across multiple sectors of the industry.

TIPA’s Clean Eating Challenge, where industry members are encouraged to adopt fresh fruits and vegetables into their diets for healthy eating, is also returning.

“Viva Fresh has become known for our emphasis on big ideas around fruit and vegetable consumption, and what healthy living can look like in 2023, and Charlie Rocket is an embodiment of that message,” Galeazzi said in the release. “Our industry wants to sell more fruits and vegetables, but we have to walk that walk where consumption is involved. The Clean Eating Challenge is a first-hand account of an industry community doing exactly that! And the Viva Fresh Expo, well, we know that’s where fresh fruits and vegetables are the stars of the show.”