September 30 - October 2, 2013
CoNNECTINg the Produce Industry to Shape a Better BUSINESS FUTURE
September 30 - Octob er 2, 2013
The annual Washington Public Policy Conference is the only event where the produce industry's most prominent and influential executives gather for strategic, face-to-face dialogue with key members of Congress, their staff and top regulatory officials. Register today and join your colleagues in Washington to make a real difference on produce industry priorities and help ensure a more profitable future!
Come together with fellow industry executives and advance the key issues affecting your business and the produce industry!
Make Your
Voice Heard and Make a Difference on the Issues Impacting Your Business.
Immigration Congress has begun a rare debate on comprehensive immigration reform policy that could have a long-lasting impact on your ability to stay in business. Hear the latest on what is happening and how your personal advocacy can make a huge difference!
Food Safety Federal regulators are in the midst of implementing sweeping changes to food safety requirements that you have to live with on a daily basis. Tell Congress to ensure that these regulations are science-based, reflect your commitment to providing a safe food supply and meet your business needs!
Nutrition The federal government is working on policy changes that will have a significant impact on the produce consumption of America’s schoolchildren for the rest of their lives. Find out what you can do to make sure policies are in place to promote healthy eating habits and business opportunities!
Farm Bill Policymakers are working on major changes to agriculture policy that may or may not allow the momentum on produce industry initiatives to continue. Be a part of making sure that the specialty crop industry gets the policy recognition it deserves!
Health Care The recent delay in the implementation of some of the Health Care Reform Act regulations provides our industry with a key opportunity to educate Congress about your concerns and questions as a business operator. Make sure lawmakers know how this legislation can affect your bottom line!
DAY 1 september 30 Begin Your Advocacy Journey Advocacy and Grassroots Seminar Learn simple and effective strategies to strengthen our produce industry’s voice from grassroots experts. This seminar will help make you a better advocate, offering insights into the thinking of elected officials and tips on how to make your messages memorable. You’ll learn what motivates elected officials, top techniques for effective communication and the “secrets” of working with congressional staff.
Lessons from the Advocates Join a panel of industry leaders who have been the driving forces for grassroots activities and interactions with government. These past United Fresh Produce Industry Advocate of the Year honorees will share their keys to success in produce business advocacy.
Fresh Impact: Next Generation Panel Key rising staff from congressional offices, congressional committees and the administration will provide critical information and analysis to policymakers and address the issues that mean the most to your business’ bottom line. This is your chance to raise our industry’s issues with these influential leaders and get their inside perspectives on how ag policy is made in Washington.
There is power in numbers, and WPPC, I believe, is the most important produce gathering of the year. It is our responsibility to do all that we can do to make a difference for Ag." Bob Morrissey, Executive Director National Watermelon Association
R e g i s t e r To d a y !
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202.303.3400
Wa sh ing ton Public Polic y Co n ference | S e p t e m b e r 3 0 - o c t o b e r 2 , 2 0 1 3
Connect with Colleagues Welcome Reception What better way to kick off an exciting week in our nation's capital than with a welcome reception with industry friends and colleagues. Join us at this opening event where the entire fresh produce supply chain comes together to shape a better business future.
United FreshPAC Reception & Dinner* Experience a spectacular private reception and dinner prepared and hosted by former White House Executive Chef Walter Scheib with each course based on favorite First Family meals. You will not want to miss this evening with fellow industry leaders over looking the Capitol and Washington, DC, all from one of the newest vantage points in the city, the Newseum rooftop terrace. *Separate Ticket Required
Network with Prominent and Influential Produce Industry Executives Past participants include: Belair Produce, Inc. • Crunch Pak • Fresh Produce Association of the Americas • Frey Produce • Grower-Shipper Association of Central California • H-E-B • Markon • Pear Bureau Northwest • Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce • San Miguel Produce • Sunkist Growers • Wegmans Food Markets • Westlake Produce Company • Allen Lund Company • Bland Farms • Chelan Fresh • Ciruli Brothers • Delhaize America • Earthbound Farm • Freshway Foods • Capital City Fruit Company • G.O. Fresh • Horton Fruit Company • Mastronardi Produce • Naturipe Farms • Pero Family Farms • Safeway • Sunview Marketing International • Caito Foods Service • Wholesale Produce Supply Co. • Basin Gold Cooperative • California Avocado Commission • Disney Consumer Products • Edward G. Rahll & Sons • Giumarra Vineyards Corporation • IFCO SYSTEMS • McEntire Produce • NatureSweet • Potandon Produce • Sun World International • Syngenta • Winter Garden Produce • Apio • C.H. Robinson Worldwide • Curry & Company • Dow Chemical Company • Farmer's Best International • Costco Wholesale • Fox Packaging • Growers Express • JemD Farms • Market Fresh Produce • Castellini Company LLC • Misionero Vegetables • Paramount Citrus • Ready Pac Foods • Seald-Sweet • Taylor Farms • Volm Companies • Central American Produce • Walter P. Rawl & Sons • Albert's Organics • Avendra • Bunzl • California Giant Berry Farms • Darden • DMA Solutions • Ecolab • Famous Software • Four Seasons Family of Companies • Frontera Produce • International Paper • Mann Packing Company • Meijer • New York Apple Sales • Renaissance Food Group • Stemilt Growers • Dole Food Company • Tanimura & Antle • Village Farms • Amcor Flexibles • Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc • California Citrus Mutual • Charlie's Produce Company • Dave's Specialty Imports • Gills Onions • Indianapolis Fruit Company • Locus Traxx • MCL Fresh • NatureSeal • Bonipak Produce Company • PRO*ACT • Strube Celery & Vegetable Company • Taco Bell • VBZ Grapes • YottaMark • American Mushroom Institute • Cabbage Inc. • Church Brothers • Del Monte Fresh Produce • Dupont Crop Protection • Field Fresh Foods • Grimmway Enterprises Inc. • John Vena, Inc. • Monsanto • Pandol Brothers • Raley's Family of Fine Stores • Tom Lange Company • Wada Farms Marketing Group • Beachside Produce, LLC • California Grape & Tree Fruit League • CHEP • Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association • Frieda's • L & M Companies • N2N Global • North Bay Produce • Rainier Fruit Company • Topco Associates • Bayer CropScience • Canadian Produce Marketing Association • Chiquita Brands International • Deardorff Family Farms • FMC Corporation • Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association • Liberty Fruit Co. • National Watermelon Association • R. S. Hanline • Torrey Farms
To see a full list of past conference attendees, visit www.unitedfresh.org/wppc
DAY 2 october 1 Explore the Issues, Make Your Voice Heard and Celebrate our Industry Connecting Policy Issues to Your Business You know what challenges are facing your business, and at this year’s Washington Public Policy Conference, you’ll have the chance to share your perspectives with lawmakers in Congress during the March on Capitol Hill. Prepare for these critical meetings with a personalized educational experience focused on the top issues and opportunities affecting the fresh produce industry. In each of the education sessions, policy experts will discuss how these issues affect you.
Managing Labor Issues in Your Business • The Critical Need for Immigration Reform • What Do You Do Now? E-Verify, H2A? • How Will Changing Health Care Laws Affect You?
Addressing Food Safety Challenges Today and Tomorrow • Managing Recalls to Minimize Business Impact • Challenges to Importers/Exporters in Today’s Food Safety Climate • FDA Proposed Rules/Industry Response - What’s Next?
Growing Kids’ Consumption - Growing New Consumers • School Policy Changes = Growth Opportunity for Produce • Creating a WIN- WIN with School Salad Bars • The Role of Retail
March on Capitol Hill: U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Meetings Be a part of the largest grassroots effort of the fresh produce industry. Teams will participate in individualized meetings throughout the afternoon with members of Congress. This is your time to meet with elected officials and their staff "face-to-face" and discuss the produce industry's policy agenda.
We met with Senator Charles Grassley for years at the WPPC, each time inviting him to visit our facility. He finally took us up on the offer and spent over an hour with our team. This would not have been possible had we not developed this relationship with the Senator through United and the WPPC." Brendan Comito, Chief Operations Officer Capital City Fruit Company
Fresh Festival ON CAPITOL HILL
A unique event that's become one of the most talkedabout receptions in DC. United's Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill features the freshest reception of the year for members of Congress and their staff, key administration officials, and produce leaders from across the country. Join your colleagues and celebrate all the exciting and flavorful opportunities our industry has to offer.
DAY 3 october 2 Our Voice Continues U.S. Senate Congressional Meetings After a day of successful meetings with the House of Representatives, attendees will take on Capitol Hill one more time for Senate visits on Wednesday morning. Two days of congressional meetings means more face-to-face time with key legislative contacts than ever before!
Forum at U.S. Food and Drug Administration Conference attendees will have the unique opportunity to meet with FDA officials and ask questions on how the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and other regulatory issues are impacting their produce operations. With the new comment period on the FSMA Rules now closing in November, you will have the perfect opportunity to meet directly with FDA officials to share how these new regulations will affect your business. You'll also hear about topics such as the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP), the status of FDA user fees and much more!
By coming to Washington, you'll give direct feedback to lawmakers and government agencies on the way federal policies work for your business on the ground level and meet and exchange ideas with hundreds of other produce industry leaders, all keyed into the same importance of industry involvement here in Washington." Ron Carkoski, President & CEO Four Seasons Family of Companies
There is a vibrant energy inside the Beltway, and WPPC puts you right in the center of it all. This year's conference, just steps from the Capitol, immerses you in the excitement that comes with being in the heart of American politics. Randy Scott Category Manager, Produce Delhaize America
Was hi ng ton Pu bl i c Pol i cy Confe rence | S e p t e m b e r 3 0 - o c t o b e r 2 , 2 0 1 3
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It’s an incredible story that United Fresh gets to tell each year and I’m always honored to be a part of that support group, because today more than ever it’s important that we let people understand that good nutrition means good health." Representative Jim Costa — D-California
Hear From Key Members of Congress and Top Administration Officials
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas
R e g i s t e r To d a y ! w w w. u n i te d f re s h .o r g 202.303.3400
Schedule of Events Monday, September 30 All Day
Volunteer Leadership Meetings
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm
United Fresh New Member & First-Time Attendee Welcome
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Advocacy & grassroots Seminar Featuring: Lessons from the Advocates Panel
4:15 pm – 5:00 pm
Fresh Impact: Next generation Panel
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Welcome Reception
6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
United FreshPAC Dinner (Ticketed Event)
Tuesday, October 1 7:30 am – 9:30 am
opening general Session Breakfast
9:45 am – Noon
Connecting Policy Issues to Your Business Education Sessions
Noon – 1:30 pm
general Session Luncheon
2:15 pm - 5:30 pm
March on Capitol Hill: U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Meetings
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Leadership Alumni organization Dinner (Invitation Only)
Wednesday, October 2 7:30 am – 9:00 am
general Session Breakfast
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Forum at U.S. Food and Drug Administration
9:00 am - 11:30 am
March on Capitol Hill: U.S. Senate Congressional Meetings
Noon – 2:00 pm
Closing general Session Luncheon
Reserve Your Room! The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill will serve as the host hotel for the Washington Public Policy Conference. The United Fresh rate is $289 if reserved by August 28, 2013.
Visit www.unitedfresh.org to reserve your room today!
www.unitedfresh.org or call 202.303.3400
R e g i s t e r To d a y !
the Produce Industry to Shape a Better BUSINESS FUTURE
CoNNECTINg
September 30 - october 2, 2013
www.unitedfresh.com 202.303.3400
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20006