Members of the global floral community gathered in Miami on May 25 to better understand and discuss key supply chain issues affecting the industry, including transportation concerns. The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) hosted The Floral Conference – Miami for buyers, sellers, and supply chain experts to explore the latest developments and options.
“Supply chain disruptions affect all of our members, and it was productive to have a forum for learning and discussion,” said Becky Roberts, IFPA Director of Floral. “IFPA’s Ed Treacy (vice president of supply chain and sustainability) led the review of the current situation, what the future may hold, and potential solutions. The group gained insights from our transportation panel as well. We’re grateful to them for their expertise: Mark Peterson of C.H. Robinson, Sam Raymond of Sealand – A Maersk Company, and Felipe Sanchez of DSV Air & Sea.”
After hearing from the experts, conference participants collaborated to list major pain points they experience with the supply chain and assessed whether these need to be addressed in the short-term, medium-term, or long-term. Then they brainstormed solutions for the most significant pain points.
“We were glad to be able to bring the IFPA floral community together in person,” Roberts said. “Yes, it’s important for networking and connecting with friends. But the quality of discussion and interaction around critical issues like these bumps up a notch when it can happen in person rather than virtually.”
Nearly 200 members of the floral community attended the conference, which is part of the overall IFPA portfolio of floral resources, www.freshproduce.com/resources/floral.
For more information: 
Floral
+1 (302) 738-7100
freshproduce.com