Western Growers new Center for Innovation and Technology is expected to open later this month in Salinas, California. As part of that initiative, we are launching a comprehensive “innovation” program to help find and accelerate the availability of technologies and services that will help members deal with the pressing problems of producing more high quality safe fresh produce in an era of scarce resources and intense regulatory and marketplace pressure. We are currently recruiting companies to locate in the Center for direct interaction with the industry and will be featuring several of them during our 90th Annual Meeting in San Diego at a workshop entitled the “Innovation Arena.”
This Shark Tank-like workshop will allow entrepreneurs to pitch their offerings to a team of judges as well as the audience to determine the top AgTech innovations. Join WG Vice Chairman and Workshop moderator, Sammy Duda, as he leads what is sure to be a lively discussion showcasing several new offerings in the technology arena while our diverse panel of industry judges asks participants probing questions. As an attendee, we also look forward to getting your opinion on the potential benefit these technologies would have on your operation.
Workshop Details
Workshop III – The Innovation Arena
November 10, 2015 – 9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Ballroom A
Moderator
Samuel D. Duda, Vice President, Duda Farm Fresh Foods
The Judges
David Petrocco, President, Senior Grower, Petrocco Farms
Bridget (Bengard) Rotticci, Project Manager, Bengard Ranch
Neill Callis, Sales, Exports, and Business Operations, Turlock Fruit Company
Edwin A. Camp, President, D.M. Camp & Sons
Stephen J. Barnard, President and CEO, Mission Produce
Robert K. Barkley, President and CEO, Barkley Ag Enterprises
For more information on this workshop or on the Annual Meeting, contact Randy Hause at (949) 885-2265.
