The 100th Western Growers Annual Meeting brought together a record number of attendees and their families at the Grand Wailea in Maui, marking a historic milestone for the organization and the specialty crop industry. The gathering united the industry’s top business leaders for several days of meaningful connections, dynamic networking events, educational breakout sessions and thought-provoking keynote presentations—all in celebration of a century of Western Growers leadership and advocacy.
Western Growers extends its sincere appreciation to the sponsors whose support helped make this milestone event possible. Sponsors across every level received prominent brand recognition throughout the meeting, including name and logo placement on event signage, in the conference guide and within the mobile app. Diamond Sponsors received additional recognition at each event, while individual event sponsors were acknowledged in front of their targeted audiences.
The 2026 Annual Meeting officially kicked off Sunday evening, Nov. 8, with a Welcome Reception on the Chapel Lawn. Against the backdrop of a Maui sunset, Western Growers members and industry partners gathered to reconnect, make new introductions and celebrate the start of a historic week.
Monday, Nov. 9, opened with the Kickoff Keynote featuring Bertie Gregory, a National Geographic photographer, wildlife filmmaker and television host. An award-winning filmmaker, Gregory has spent his career traveling to some of the world’s most remote and challenging locations to tell compelling stories about wildlife and the people working to understand and protect it. In 2020, he became BAFTA’s youngest-ever cinematography winner for his work with David Attenborough and the BBC’s Planet Earth series.
The PAC Lunch featured a timely and engaging conversation between Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia; Scott Jennings, CNN contributor, conservative columnist and former special assistant to President George W. Bush; and Paul Begala, CNN political analyst, Democratic strategist and former counselor to President Bill Clinton. The discussion explored the political landscape and the issues shaping the nation’s future.
The day’s final session, Western Growers at 100: A Century of Stories and Leadership, brought together generations of growers and Western Growers leaders for a special centennial conversation. Moderated by Tom Deardorff, the panel featured Alex Jack, Jack Bros.; John D’Arrigo, D’Arrigo Bros. California; Gary Pasquinelli, Pasquinelli Produce; Edwin Camp, D.M. Camp and Sons; and Carol Chandler, Chandler Farms. Together, they reflected on a century of agriculture, advocacy and leadership, sharing stories and perspectives that highlighted the people and milestones behind Western Growers’ enduring legacy.
Monday’s festivities continued at the resort’s Molokini Garden with a traditional Hawaiian Luau at Party with the Partners. Guests traveled through the decades, celebrating 100 years of growth and the many eras that have shaped Western Growers and the fresh produce industry.
Tuesday, Nov. 10, began with the invitation-only Diamond Breakfast, where Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia recognized representatives from the organization’s top sponsorship level: Bayer, Farm Credit, John Deere, Nutrien and RDO Equipment. Each Diamond Sponsor delivered a brief presentation to the Western Growers Board of Directors, highlighting its contributions and commitment to advancing the agriculture industry.
AgSharks returned with four cutting-edge agtech startups taking the stage to pitch their innovations to a panel of leading investors. In a first for the competition, two startups were selected for investment this year.
Sami Robotics took top honors, securing a $100,000 investment from Danny Bernstein, managing partner of Reservoir VC and one of the competition’s judges. Soiltech Wireless was also selected for funding, receiving a $25,000 investment from Plug and Play after being selected by judge Matthew Claxton, partner and global head of sustainability at Plug and Play. Rounding out the competition, Phiex Technologies earned the Audience Choice Award, determined by votes from attendees.
During the Chair’s Lunch, Western Growers Board Chair and President of Wonderful Orchards at The Wonderful Company Rob Yraceburu took the opportunity to thank Western Growers members, the Board of Directors, sponsors and industry leaders for their continued dedication to advancing the specialty crop industry. Following his remarks, Yraceburu led a conversation with Lt. General (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, exploring today’s geopolitical landscape, global economic challenges and the leadership needed to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Later that afternoon, the Hawaiian Family Games brought back a favorite Annual Meeting tradition. The event delivered plenty of friendly competition, laughter and island spirit, giving attendees another opportunity to connect outside the conference room.
Tuesday evening began with the Award of Honor Reception in the Haleakala Gardens, where guests gathered for cocktails and conversation ahead of the evening’s main event.
The Award of Honor Dinner Gala celebrated the remarkable achievements and contributions of D.M. Camp & Sons CEO Edwin Camp, recipient of Western Growers’ highest distinction, the 2026 Award of Honor. Following a series of heartfelt tributes recognizing Camp’s extraordinary career and lasting impact on the industry, Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Dana Carvey took the stage, closing out the evening with plenty of laughter.
Annual Meeting activities concluded Wednesday, Nov. 11, with two popular outdoor traditions: the high-spirited Western Growers Cup Golf Tournament at the Gold Course at Wailea Golf Club and the competitive Western Growers Pickleball Classic at the Wailea Beach Resort.
For 100 years, Western Growers has served as a gathering place for growers and industry partners to build relationships, exchange ideas and work together to advance the fresh produce industry. This year’s milestone Annual Meeting was a celebration not only of how far the organization has come, but also of the people, partnerships and shared commitment that will shape its future.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in Maui and helped make the 100th Western Growers Annual Meeting an unforgettable celebration. We look forward to continuing the tradition and seeing you next year!
