The Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference is the only gathering of the U.S. apple industry at the national level – from growers and packers to bankers – to discuss the most pressing issues facing the apple industry and its unique opportunities for healthy growth.
The annual event will be held Aug. 23-24 at the Swissotel Chicago.
If you’re new to the community, or perhaps you’ve been part of the industry for a long time, but you have never attended the annual Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference, now is the is time to learn more about this pivotal moment in the apple harvest season
Just days after the USDA’s August forecast of the 2018 apple crop, USApple’s Director of Regulatory and Industry Affairs, Mark Seetin, will coordinate an exclusive apple industry-focused analysis – the U.S. Apple Crop Outlook—to kick off the coming harvest season.
Every crop year brings its own unique set of challenges on organizing and implementing a marketing plan, and the 2018 crop is no exception. Outlook 2018 is the premiere event that brings together the top leaders of the U.S and global apple industry.
Conference attendees will be briefed on the latest forecasts for the U.S., China, EU, Mexico, Canada and South American apple crops. As a benefit of attending the conference, all attendees will be given a copy of USApple’s 2018 Production and Utilization Analysis, 40 pages of data and analysis – both recent and historical – of the U.S. apple industry. The Production and Utilization Analysis is used as an important decision-making tool by the apple industry.
Darren Seifer of The NPD Group, Inc. will deliver the keynote address: “Eating Patterns in America.” Seifer will share new insights on the emerging trends and eating patterns in the US affecting consumption and produce profitability at the retail level. Gain a better understanding of how U.S. consumers are incorporating fruit into their diets in new ways, and how that change is impacting other areas of the food and beverage industry from retailers to restaurants. Most importantly, learn how you can position yourself to benefit from these emerging trends. Seifer will share crucial context on the long-term patterns that have impacted food consumption patterns across the apple industry and identify the areas that must be addressed for the industry to continue along a successful trajectory.
Jon Samson, Executive Director of Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference (AFTC) will present “Current Climate of Truck Transportation in Agriculture.” Samson will address how the recent changes in carrier operations over the past several years an ongoing driver shortage have impacted the apple industry. Samson will also report on new and proposed changes to hours of service (HOS) rules, the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, excess supply, the driver shortage, and their impact on rates. Samson is an experienced advocate for agricultural retailers and distributors with a focus on transportation, the Farm Bill, and finance.
At the Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference, USApple also looks forward to honoring the Apple Grower of the Year and the Apple Person of the Year Award, This tradition celebrates some of the industry’s most admirable innovators and thought leaders putting great ideas to work throughout the industry.
“Given the current confluence of critical issues that impact our industry – trade, labor, transportation and more – it’s likely there has never been a year with more at stake,” says USApple CEO Jim Bair. “We’ve put together an agenda to provide perspective and clarity.”
With regional updates, global updates, and panels on supplier and processing news, the presentations and discussions at Outlook touch on the topics that are central to your daily business decisions. Reserve your seat to the peak event of the apple industry’s entire year and register at USApple.org.
