International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns will deliver the annual State of the Industry address on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, opening the Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Florida. According to the International Fresh Produce Association, the keynote address will run from 8:45 to 10:00 a.m., connecting supply chain volatility, artificial intelligence, and food safety across the global sector.
Global Produce & Floral Show Transitions to New Schedule
The Global Produce & Floral Show runs from October 14 to October 16, 2026, shifting to a new Wednesday-through-Friday schedule in Orlando, Florida. According to International Fresh Produce Association announcements, the event brings together more than 20,000 global decision-makers and over 1,000 exhibitors. Cathy Burns stated that the new midweek format offers the worldwide community a dedicated space to address industry questions and build commercial momentum away from the weekend.
Connecting Macro Trends Across One Global System
Cathy Burns’s opening address examines how defining issues connect across a single global system rather than existing in isolation. Documentation from the International Fresh Produce Association outlines primary priorities that encompass climate and sustainability, artificial intelligence, food safety, trade and supply chain disruptions, the necessity of boosting consumption, and restoring consumer faith after illness outbreaks linked to food.
“The challenges confronting our industry do not exist in isolation, and neither do the solutions,” Burns said, according to International Fresh Produce Association reports. She added that the keynote will show how collective influence and innovation move the system forward.
Trust, AI, and Strategies for Industry Resilience
Participants in the address are urged to foster greater resilience, safeguard year-round supplies, maintain consumer trust and confidence, and ensure that fresh items are readily accessible for selection and enjoyment by consumers everywhere. According to International Fresh Produce Association statements, Cathy Burns emphasizes that fresh products move at the speed of trust, where functioning markets rely on consumer confidence.
The association highlights that the event provides members with practical innovation, intelligence, and advocacy tools during a period of accelerated change. Prospective participants can secure guaranteed seating for the State of the Industry address and the full program by obtaining an All Access Pass through the International Fresh Produce Association website.
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