Two groups representing the produce industry announced a new name for their soon-to-be combined organizations: the International Fresh Produce Association.

In an online briefing with reporters, Produce Marketing Association CEO Cathy Burns and United Fresh Produce Association CEO Tom Stenzel unveiled not just the new name and logo, but a series of events planned in the U.S. and other countries in the coming year. The largest will be a combined trade show called the Global Product and Floral Show, to be held in Orlando in October 2022. Neither association has held an in-person trade show since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In a world full of uncertainty, there is one thing I am absolutely certain about, and that with these two organizations coming together to form a new organization, we will absolutely be better together," Burns said.

PMA and United Fresh announced in March they intended to merge into a single association on Jan. 1. Burns and Stenzel will work together as co-CEOs to oversee the merger and shepherd IFPA through its freshman year. Then Stenzel will step down and Burns will be the group's sole CEO starting in 2023.

Burns will report to a volunteer executive committee as well as a larger board of directors, with members coming from several countries. That international focus is also reflected in the merged association's 2022 event schedule, with planned conferences and trade shows in the U.S., Germany, Mexico, Australia, South Africa and Brazil.

The merged association will have about 80 staff, Burns said. Some staff at the two associations were let go to avoid duplication, mostly on the administrative side. The groups will also merge their foundation and workforce development programs into a single organization, The Foundation for Fresh Produce.

IFPA plans to retain PMA's offices in Newark, Del., and United Fresh's offices in Washington, D.C.

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