We are in preparations to attend to the PMA, Who’s going to attend?
PMA or Produce Marketing Association is a trade organization representing companies from every segment of the global fresh produce and floral supply chain.
PMA helps members grow by providing connections that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption.
This year PMA trade is taking place in New Orleans, Lousiana, USA on:
OCTOBER 19 – 21, 2017
We are expecting to connect with 1,000+ exhibitors and more than 19,500 attendees from over 60 countries and we are looking forward to meeting with our lovely clients, growers, leaders, consumers, and different companies in the same sector. We will get to know new people and connected with old friends, and see how today’s bright ideas are reshaping tomorrow’s produce industry.
As we get closer to the date of packing our luggage and heading over to New Orleans, Terra Fresh’s team is getting ready to share our past year’s experiences of growth and development of new projects in the produce industry.
In an interview with Terra Fresh Food, CEO, Maria Alejandra Gutierrez shars her past experiences and future expectations for this years meeting at the PMA in New Orleands, Louisianna.
“It has always been a great experience to go to the PMA. The first PMA I ever attended was in 2002 in New Orleans. I was a teenager and it forever changed the way I saw the produce industry. I’m excited to come back to New Orleans 15 years later after working together with the same people” says Maria Alejandra.
Why do you think assistance is important to the PMA?
“I think it is important to meet people in person. You can only get to know so much of a person over the phone. We do spend more than 8 hours on the phone a day. Eventually it is nice to actually see someone and break the habit of speaking like machines. Person-to-person interactions is what solidifies business relationships.”
What do you think may be different for Terra Fresh this year unlike last year
while attending this event?
“We have new additions to our team and have progressed to a different level this year. We have a lot more to bring to the table than ever before. Growth is a continuous process and as we look to further expand our knowledge, the PMA provides a great resource.”
What is your company goals and expectations for the PMA?
“Our objective is to learn, develop new ideas, meet new people, enjoy the company others in the same industry, develop new business relationships, and solidify those relationships already built from times past.”
How do you see Terra Fresh in 5 years?
“In 5 years I see Terra as a global company that doesn’t follow trends, but in turn creates them. I see Terra as a company that understands the world as a unit, and brings the best from different places around the world.”
Tell us a little bit of what’s coming in the future for Terra Fresh Foods?
“We have devoted ourselves this year to investing on technology and education. We want to prepare the company for a future in which we will be able to do more social work as Hands of Terra in places that we never before imagined. Through our industry and the platform it provides, we want to impact the lives of many who aren’t as fortunate as us. We are devoted to helping others, and therefore must grow our company in order to further our reach.”
What’s new for Terra Fresh Foods Team?
“Our Miami location has expanded. This year we are attending the PMA with our sales and marketing staff in order for others to get know us as a team. We grow as a team, and all have a responsibility to meet. I am really proud of us, the team we have become, and I’m excited to share all of our accomplishments together.”
What has happened this year with the market? Prices and availability?
“This year mother nature has made it very difficult. We went through a couple of hurricanes that shook us in many ways here in Miami, FL. Therefore, the availability of products wasn’t the best. However, these natural disasters allowed Hands of Terra to collaborate in new ways and to develop plans for the future.”
We are looking forward to meet with great people, lets do this!
