While wicked winter weather was pounding the East Coast at the end of last week, produce growers, researchers, suppliers, and other industry stakeholders found safe haven in Savannah, GA, at the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference (SERFVC).
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Let's Convene
The Savannah International Trade and Convention Center once again served as the venue for the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Meet & Greet
The Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference not only draws attendees from the region, but from all over the country and beyond.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Warm Welcome
The Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference celebrated its 15th anniversary this year. The multi-day event, presented by the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Association and the South Carolina Peach Council, continues to grow in scale and scope.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Media Savvy
Proud to be a participant and education sponsor of the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference, Meister Media Worldwide's tradeshow booth was packed with information for the taking.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Show Time
The 2017 Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference tradeshow floor comprised more than 85,000 square feet of space filled with scores of industry suppliers showing off the latest products, equipment, and services.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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On a Roll
The latest innovations in postharvest packing equipment were on display on the tradeshow floor of the 2017 Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Pit Stop
There was plenty of farm equipment - big and small - on display for attendees to get an up-close look.
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Getting Educated
Elizabeth Little, University of Georgia, led a presentation about the efficacy of biocontrols for plant disease. The short course for the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference featured more than 80 hours of educational programming spread over multiple tracks, including: blueberries; business operations; caneberry; food safety; muscadine; organic; peaches; farm marketing; strawberries; and vegetables.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Down the River
The Savannah River and its eye-catching traffic provides a stunning backdrop for the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Produce Pickings
The centerpiece of any good farm trade show is the actual end product.
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Rise of the Machines
With farm labor being such a concern for the industry, mechanical berry harvesters like this drew the looks of many at the 2017 Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Fun and Games
Looking for a fun way to pass the time during a trade show? Southern States Toyota Lift invited show-goers to play a game of cornhole.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Berry Interested
Florida blueberry growing pioneer Alto Straughn gets the lowdown at the BASF booth during the 2017 Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Plugged In
Sonya Carns of Ag-Tronix addresses a visitor's question during the 2017 Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
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Say Cheese
For Ben Martin of Cravo, and may others in attendance, it was all smiles in Savannah.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
For those in the U.S. specialty crop sector, January kicks off the high season for trade shows and conventions. Now in its 15th year, the SERFVC — presented by the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) and the South Carolina Peach Council — boasts what is by far the largest educational conference and trade show in the region. This year’s edition did not disappoint.
According to Charles Hall, Executive Director of the GFVGA, attendance figures were impressive, clocking in at more than 3,300. This was no small feat as not too far north of the gathering, snow, ice and wind played havoc with travel plans. In fact, there were more than a few in attendance whose itinerary had to be adjusted – some more than a few times — due to Mother Nature.
Even though the cold front did finally make its way to Savannah early Saturday morning, the blustery, rainy weather that lasted until about noon did not deter another huge crowd from turning out for the event.
Scan the photo gallery above to get a taste of some of the sights from Savannah.
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Paul Rusnak is the Senior Online Editor for Meister Media Worldwide's Specialty Crops Division, which consists of American Vegetable Grower, American Fruit Grower, and Greenhouse Grower magazines, all Meister Media brands. He is based in Northeast Florida. See all author stories here.
January 9, 2017 
