Oct 2, 2020

Viva Fresh Expo 2021 to proceed as a hybrid event

The Texas International Produce Association announced that after much research, discussion, and due diligence, the 2021 Viva Fresh Produce Expo will proceed ahead as a hybrid event to include both in-person & virtual components that offer solutions for all attendees.

The hybrid-model will provide in-person elements similar to the traditional Viva Fresh Produce Expo (ex: tradeshow, golf tournament, reception and buyer speed meetings), as well as virtual elements (ex: Clean Eating Challenge, In Bloom, Aggies-for-Fresh and education) happening before, during and after the show. The face-to-face portion of the show will take place as scheduled on March 26 & 27 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas – a scant 5.5 miles away from the DFW Airport to accommodate easy in/out travel form nearly anywhere in the country. Further, the show will become more exclusive than previous Viva Fresh events as there will also be limiting the number of attendees per company as part of the new safety protocols.

“The reality of the decision to move forward with a hybrid-model was not taken lightly and we recognize and respect the choices and challenges before our attendees. Following months of internal discussions and planning, as well as extensive polling of exhibitors and retail-foodservice attendees, our findings suggested there was not only the ability but also a strong preference to move forward with certain in-person experiences (with an emphasis on safety) yet balancing the concerns of today’s world by providing content and engagement opportunities in the on-line space as well,” says Dante Galeazzi, CEO and President of TIPA.

“We will be sharing more information and details in the very near future, including new lists of: the events happening on-line and in-person, sponsorship opportunities, safety features and protocols, exhibitor information, registration, hotel bookings and more.

Please be sure to check the Viva Fresh website often for updates and keep your eyes peeled to your email inboxes for future notices,” he concludes.