The London Produce Show and Conference (LPS), presented by the Fresh Produce Consortium and Produce Business, brings together some of the sharpest minds from the global fresh produce industry and beyond to present a series of educational seminars and workshops that explore the topics and issues which impact directly or indirectly on the working lives of every delegate at the show.
This year, the educational seminar sessions are sponsored by packhouse solutions specialist Compac, and there are two stages running in the Great Room of Grosvenor House throughout June 9, 2016. The multinational list of speakers and panellists are drawn from several sectors of the trade around the world, as well as from external organisations that perform vital functions for the trade. The stage 2 seminar programme takes place in the Buckingham Suite from 11.15am to 5.30pm.
LPS16 Stage 2 seminar schedule
11.15am NEGATIVE CLAIMS DO INDUSTRY NO FAVOURS
Dr John Stanton – Professor, St Joseph’s University
Professor Stanton has carried out a research study that reveals how different packaging statements and label claims significantly impact consumer purchase decisions. The research shows, for example, that when companies put negative label claims, such as “no pesticides” or “no GMOs” on certain products, it has a negative effect on consumer perceptions of the whole category and adversely influences the intention to buy. He argues that the industry is shooting itself in the foot and consumers have trouble evaluating the negatives.
12pm TASTE AND NUTRITION KEY TO LIFE EXTENSION GOALS
Gal Wollach – vice-president of international sales, R.O.P.
Wollach says there has to be far more to modern produce packaging solutions than simply extending the shelf life of the product to gratify buyers. He believes that the number one goal should be not to extend shelf life for the sake of it, or even to sell more packaging, but to create the solutions that allow fruit and vegetables to perform and taste as they really should while keeping all or most of their nutritional values.
1pm THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Andy Barnetson, director of packaging affairs at the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) and Jan Gramsma, marketing director of the European association of corrugated manufacturers (FEFCO).
The duo of speakers will discuss the evolving role of corrugated packaging in the fresh food industry, using case studies to look at best practices and highlighting recent developments that move away from the standard cardboard box towards shelf-ready packaging, and announcing a new industry standard that aims to further enhance the performance of corrugated packaging in the UK and European marketplaces.
2pm INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND GLOBALISATION OF THE PRODUCE INDUSTRY
Dr Miguel Gomez – Professor, Cornell University
Professor Gomez will talk through some of his work on global trade patterns for fruits and vegetables, the key drivers of global demand and assess the situation and outlook for countries and regions that are rapidly gaining share in international produce markets.
3pm ALL NEW FROM PERU
Veteran produce market researcher John Giles, divisional director at Promar International, will give an overview of the exciting new products and ranges Peru has to offer the global market. He will present the facts; making particular reference to the opportunities in the UK and Ireland.
This will be followed by a panel discussion comprising industry experts that source from Peru, including Juan Carlos Leon, executive director at Barfoots of Botley and Rob Cullum, managing director of Pacific Produce.
4.30pm IMPORTED FRESH PRODUCE RESTRICTIONS AND WHAT THEY MEAN FOR BUSINESSES
Alex Schofield, senior imports policy adviser, Regulatory and Legal Strategy Directorate, UK Food Standards Agency (FSA)
During this workshop, Schofield will explain how imported food legislation comes into force, what this means for businesses and what steps the FSA are taking to improve the delivery of official controls at all points of entry into the UK. Alex will devote time at the end of the session for questions from the audience.
5.30pm – SEMINAR PROGRAMME CLOSES
Seminars sponsorship
Compac is the world leader in complete, turnkey sorting and packing solutions for the fresh produce industry. The New Zealand based firm works with the world’s leading packhouses to deliver end-to-end solutions that improve performance, streamline operations, ensure quality and consistency of produce and reduce labour requirements.
Ken Moynihan, Compac’s chief technology officer, will deliver a presentation on the evolving role of data and how it can be used more effectively by the industry to protect brands and the consumer on Stage 1 on the Great Room Balcony at 12pm on June 9.
Register now
LPS16 opens next week. If you haven’t signed up, there is still time. Registrations are made online and the show is free for buyers of fresh produce and flowers to attend.
Book a hotel room
You can also book a hotel room at the LPS16 venue, the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane. This way you can benefit from the convenience of having the LPS on your doorstep during the show dates and also take advantage of pre- and post-event networking with other delegates and exhibitors. There are a limited number of rooms available for LPS delegates. Book here.
For more information on the LPS16 seminar programme, visit www.londonproduceshow.co.uk or email [email protected]
