Annual Meeting & Product Showcase '26
The Annual Meeting & Product Showcase ’26 will be held October 26-28, 2026 at the Wyndham Grand Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida.
Registration
Registration Fees
| Registration Type | Before Sept. 30 | After Sept. 30 |
|---|---|---|
|
Member |
$880 |
$940 |
|
Additional Members (2-7) |
$770 |
$830 |
|
Additional Members (8+) |
$660 |
$720 |
|
Non-Member |
$1,525 |
$1,590 |
|
University/Researcher/Spouse |
$240 |
$295 |
|
Group Activity Dolphin Boat Tour |
$35 |
$35 |
Advance Registration Deadline: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Registration Cancellation Policy: Registrations canceled after September 30, 2026 will be charged a $100 processing fee plus the cost of meals.
Spouse Registration Includes: Welcome Reception, Breakfast Presentation, Keynote Luncheon, Grand Reception, and Breakfast Session on Wednesday (OPTIONAL ADD-ON Group Activity)
Substitutions: Attendee substitutions may be made at any time prior to the event, provided that the substitute is from the same organization.
Photo/Film Policy: PPI may take photographs and film the event. By participating in the event, you authorize PPI, without limitation, the right to reproduce, copy, exhibit, publish or distribute any such film or photograph, and waive all rights or claims you may have against PPI and/or any of its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, or Assignees.
Data We Collect: By completing the following event registration form, PPI collects your name, email, address, company affiliation, personal preferences and payment information so that PPI can facilitate, process and confirm your registration for the meeting.
Payment Notice: A credit card processing fee will be applied to all credit card transactions. If you prefer to avoid this fee, payment may be made by check or ACH. Please contact [email protected] or Richelle Adams for payment instructions before completing your registration.
Registration Questions/Group Registrations: If you have any questions, please contact Richelle Adams at 202-331-2326 or [email protected].
Hotel Information
Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
100 Coronado Drive, Clearwater, FL 33767
Phone: (727) 281-9536
Website: Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
The group rate is $285.00 per night plus taxes and fees. All reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit guaranteed with a major credit card.
Book your group rate for PPI 2026 Annual Meeting & Product Showcase
The group rate is available until October 5, 2026. PPI recommends you make your room reservations as early as possible to ensure rooms are available.
Check-in time is at 4:00 PM and check-out time is at 11:00 AM.
Valet Parking is $40/day. (the hotel does not have electric vehicle charging stations)
Hotel cancellation policy: For guest rooms, a reservation must be cancelled at least 72 hours prior to arrival to avoid a one-night room and tax penalty.
Schedule of Events
Schedule is subject to change
Monday, October 26, 2026
8:30 am – 10:00 am
Manufacturing & Technology (M&T) Committee Meeting
The M&T Committee addresses issues of interest to briners and pickled vegetable manufacturers. The meeting is open to all PPI member company representatives.
10:30 am – Noon
Agricultural Research Committee Meeting
The Agricultural Research Committee supports industry activities related to seed research, disease resistance, and agricultural practices. The meeting is open to all PPI member company representatives.
Noon – 1:30 pm
Executive Committee Meeting
(Executive Committee Members only)
2:00 – 4:30 pm
Board of Directors Meeting
(Board of Directors only)
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Welcome Reception
Product Showcase at the Wyndham Grand Resort
Open Bar & Hors d’oeuvres
9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Future Leaders Committee Hospitality Suite
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
7:00 am
Coffee Time in the Product Showcase
7:30 am
Breakfast Buffett Opens
8:00 am
Breakfast Session
Get to Know PPI’s Green Shippers; A Grower Panel Discussion
A panel of PPI green shippers will discuss current crop supply conditions and the key factors shaping the pickled vegetable industry. Representing multiple growing regions, panelists will share insights into the challenges and opportunities facing growers and pickled vegetable manufacturers. Topics will include crop quality and processor expectations, regional production differences, labor and mechanization, seed varieties, sustainability initiatives, and resource management.
Technical Education Sessions
Garlic in Pickling: Understanding Flavor, Functionality, and Processing Challenges
Jeff Crace, President
Garlic King & California Garlic Co.
Jeff Crace is the President of the California Garlic Company and Past President of the Research Chef Association. Renowned for his expertise in product development and culinary innovation, he also advises on membership for the Association for Dressings and Sauces, driving progress in the food industry through leadership and vision.
Label Claims for Pickled and Fermented Foods in the MAHA Era
Martin Hahn & Mary Grywatch
Hogan Lovells Cadwalader
Tank Yard Safety – Demonstrating Safety of Desalting & Handling Fermented Products
Donald W. Schaffner, PhD
Department Chair, a Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University, and Extension Specialist in Food Science
Rutgers University
Donald W. Schaffner is Extension Specialist in Food Science and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University. He is the current Chair of the Department of Food Science. His research interests include handwashing, cross-contamination, and quantitative microbial risk assessment. He has authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications and educated thousands of food industry professionals. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists, the American Academy of Microbiology, the Society for Risk Analysis and International Association for Food Protection (IAFP). He served as president of IAFP in 2013-2014. He was an Editor for the ASM journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology from 2005 to 2020. He began serving as a Contributing Editor for Food Microbiology and as Associate Editor for Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (CRFSFS) in 2020 and as Scientific Editor for CRFSFS in 2023. He has been the Editor-in-Chief of Microbial Risk Analysis since 2022. In his spare time, he co-hosts the Food Safety Talk and Risky or Not podcasts.
Don’t Let Mother Nature Write Your Paycheck: Cucumber Crop Insurance Options
Robert Cerda, President
Crop Insurance Systems Inc.
Cucumbers are one of the most weather-sensitive crops you grow — a late frost or a week of cold, wet weather at the wrong moment can wipe out a season’s income before you ever send a load to the processor. Crop insurance exists precisely to stand between you and that kind of financial catastrophe. By establishing a guaranteed level of production based on your own historical yields, crop insurance ensures that when the weather turns against you, your operation survives with minimal financial pain. Whether it’s hail damage, excessive rain, an irrigation failure, or acres that had to be by-passed entirely, a well-structured policy keeps your cash flow alive and your business intact when things go sideways.
This presentation draws on 15 years of actual cucumber crop insurance data covering $370M in insured cucumber crops across 9 states. The results tell a compelling story. In states like Texas, growers have received more than $3.50 for every dollar they paid in premium. In Alabama and Florida, that figure climbs to nearly $5 back for every $1 in. You’ll see exactly how coverage levels work, how grades factor into your guarantee, and how a loss payment is calculated when yields fall short.
Crop Insurance Systems, Inc. is actively working to bring this proven program to cucumber growers in states and counties not currently being served — and this session is your opportunity to get in on the ground floor. You’ll learn what data is needed to establish coverage in your county, what the coverage options look like, and how the program would be tailored to your operation. If you grow pickling cucumbers under contract and want to protect your investment from the unpredictable forces of weather and nature, this is a session you cannot afford to miss.
Trade: Tariffs, USMCA and What Comes Next?
Doug McKalip
Fair Markets Trade Consultants
It has been a tumultuous year in international trade. The United States chose not to renew the U.S, Mexico, Canada agreement and the remainder of 2026 will include intense negotiations, both north and south of the border. Meanwhile, many new tariff initiatives have placed uncertainty in supply chains around the globe. Ambassador Doug McKalip, former Chief Agricultural Negotiator of the United States, will provide an in-depth analysis of the current state of USMCA. He will also provide the pickle industry with a summary of trade conditions and policies, with a focus on how pickle production can maintain supply chains and maintain open market access in times of realignment.
Doing Business in Mexico
Ruben Olmos
President, Global Nexus LLC
This session will examine Mexico’s current political landscape, key policy developments, and the upcoming midterm elections, with a focus on grower‑relevant states such as Michoacán, Sinaloa, Guanajuato, and Colima. Rubén Olmos will also discuss the status of USMCA, its effects on the sector, and broader implications for the U.S.–Mexico relationship.
Noon
Keynote Luncheon
How to Make Your Brand Legendary
Scott Wozniak
Scott Wozniak is a former leader at the Chick-fil-A Support Center, a trusted advisor to leaders at some of the best brands of our time, from Disney to Starbucks to Crumbl–plus a lot of business-to-business companies that are famous in their industry.
In his early years, Scott worked for leaders with big dreams and good intentions–only to end in failure. These painful lessons launched Scott on a journey of discovery to determine how to become great and stay great. Scott earned a Business Masters in Organizational Leadership, hired a leadership coach and began reading over 200 books per year. Eventually he became the head of an international leadership coaching firm.
His growth into a leadership consultant led to Scott joining the staff of the Chick-fil-A Support Center for a unique job, called Organizational Effectiveness. He worked directly with the executive team, though he didn’t run a department. Half of his time he spent traveling the world, going inside the best companies and learning how they operated and the other half of his job was turning those ideas into upgrades for their customer experience and operations.
Scott lives in Atlanta with his wife and has four children, scattered across the country pursuing their dreams. He is known for his high-energy, quick-witted, and practical presentations.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Future Leaders Committee Meeting
The Future Leaders Committee prepares the younger generation of PPI leaders for roles in association governance. The Committee considers outside the box ideas for future PPI programs and services while helping to identify new potential members. This meeting is open to any PPI-member company representatives interested in the future of the association.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
PPI Dolphin Boat Tour (optional group activity; advanced registration is required)
Experience one of Clearwater Beach’s most popular attractions with fellow attendees on the PPI Dolphin Boat Tour aboard the Sea Screamer! This one-hour sightseeing cruise offers the opportunity to spot playful dolphins in their natural habitat while taking in the beautiful Gulf Coast scenery. Relax, enjoy the ocean breeze, and connect with industry colleagues during this fun and memorable coastal adventure. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot! Cost is $35.
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Supplier Advisory Committee Meeting
The Supplier Advisory Committee includes all PPI Associate category members (suppliers). The Committee advises PPI on programs for the spring and annual meetings, product showcase logistics, and identifying new member contacts. This meeting is open to any PPI-member company representatives in the Associate category.
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Grand Reception
Marina Cantina – Tropical Finale
Close out the 2026 Annual Meeting & Product Showcase with an unforgettable evening at our Grand Reception at Marina Cantina! Join fellow attendees for a tropical-themed celebration featuring waterfront views, live entertainment from a steel drum band, and curated rum tastings.
Celebrate the connections made and memories created throughout the meeting as we gather for one final night of fun and fellowship. We invite you to embrace the island spirit and wear your favorite tropical or resort attire for this festive finale to our time together in Clearwater Beach.
Tropical Attire Contest
Dress in your best tropical attire for a chance to win a prize! Think bright colors, floral prints, Hawaiian shirts, linen outfits, sundresses, leis, straw hats, and other island-inspired accessories. We can’t wait to see your tropical style!
9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Future Leaders Committee Hospitality Suite
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
7:30 am
Breakfast Buffet Opens
8:00 am
William R. Moore Hall of Fame Award Presentation & Lecture Honoring
Fred Breidt, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Agriculture
A Pickle Science Perspective: Looking Beyond the Brine
Fred Breidt, Ph.D.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The William R. Moore Hall of Fame award is the highest regularly bestowed award of Pickle Packers International, Inc. The award is designated for professionals that make the greatest significant contributions to the advancement and protection of the pickle industry by supplying technical service, basic research or inventions of exceptional benefit.
Fred Breidt’s research has benefited PPI, its member companies, and the entire pickled vegetable industry for more than 36 years. Dr. Breidt’s research focused on food microbiology, including food safety of acid and acidified foods, microbial ecology of food fermentations, and microbial genetics and genomics. Dr. Breidt has worked in the USDA/ARS Food Science Research Unit at NC State in Raleigh, NC since 1990, and is currently a USDA/ARS Research Microbiologist and Lead Scientist and USDA Professor in Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at NC State University.
Dr. Breidt is a scientific advisor to PPI’s Manufacturing & Technology Committee, and he served as an advisor to the Tank Yard Task Force, supporting the publication of a task force white paper on the safety of tank yard fermentations. Dr. Breidt graduated from The Ohio State University, (Genetics) and he received his Ph.D. at the University of Kansas, Lawrence (Microbiology). Dr. Breidt has produced 74 publications and book chapters.
10:00 am
Door Prize Drawing (must be present to win) & Meeting Adjourns
Product Showcase
Product Showcase “Open” Hours
Monday, Oct. 26, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Welcome Reception
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7:00 am – 8:00 am – Coffee in Product Showcase & Breakfast Presentation
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 11:00am – 12:00 pm – Last Look in Product Showcase
Product Showcase Set-Up Hours
Monday, Oct. 26, Noon – 4pm
Product Showcase Teardown Hours
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
PPI’s Product Showcase highlights our important industry suppliers. The Product Showcase promises great networking opportunities with more than 250 industry professionals. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Want to exhibit at the the Annual Meeting & Product Showcase ’26? Download the Exhibit form below to claim your spot!
| Exhibitor Type | Cost |
|---|---|
|
Member |
$800 |
|
Non-member |
$1,850 |
Sponsorships
Your support will be recognized by all and allows PPI to continue offering excellent educational programming and exceptional networking opportunities.
New Exclusive Hospitality Suite Sponsorship — $3,500 per Night
Put your brand at the center of the conversation.
The Hospitality Suite will provide attendees with a relaxed and engaging environment to network, connect, and continue conversations beyond the main program. As the exclusive sponsor for one evening, your company will have a unique opportunity to increase visibility and engage directly with attendees in an informal setting.
| Sponsorship Type | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
|
Hospitality Suite Sponsorship (night 1 and night 2) Available to only one sponsoring company each night – 2 sponsorships available |
$3,500 |
|
Tiers of Sponsorship
| Sponsorship Type | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
|
Platinum |
$4,500 |
25-word company advertisement in Mobile Meeting App Company banner flag prominently displayed Company presented with sponsorship trophy Recognition at Breakfast at Closing Breakfast Includes all benefits in Gold, Silver & Bronze Sponsorships |
|
Gold |
$3,250 |
Recognition in the post event newsletter, Let’s Get Together Recognition at Keynote Luncheon Brand Presence pre and post meeting Logo featured in promotional emails Includes all benefits in Silver & Bronze Sponsorships |
|
Silver |
$2,750 |
Verbal Recognition at President’s Breakfast Logo featured in promotional emails Includes all benefits in Bronze Sponsorships |
|
Bronze |
$1,200 |
Listed in Mobile Meeting App Logo recognition on the PPI website Ribbon on name badge identifying company attendees as a sponsor Logo recognition on presentation slides during |
Thank you to our sponsors!
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
