The Southwest International Produce Expo will place the future of fresh produce under a microscope when SWIPE 2026 convenes industry leaders in Arizona this January.
The produce expo will deliver forward-looking education sessions that confront uncertainty, technology disruption, and trade volatility shaping today’s global produce supply chain. Organizers say the goal remains clear: to provide decision-makers with practical insights they can use immediately.
Held Jan. 22–24 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa, SWIPE 2026 brings together retailers, wholesalers, growers, and service providers. Educational sessions will take placeon Friday, Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., drawing heavily on real-world experience from veteran leaders.
SWIPE 2026 Focuses on Real-World Challenges
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), which organizes the Southwest International Produce Expo, designed the education program to move beyond theory. Instead, panels highlight firsthand lessons from executives who have navigated disruption under pressure.
To achieve that, the FPAA SWIPE Committee assembled panelists representing every central touchpoint in the buyer experience. Retailers, wholesale operators, and strategic leaders from Wakefern Food Corp., Markon, Charlie’s Produce, H-E-B, and Associated Wholesale Grocers will share the stage.
Organizers say that the mix ensures suppliers and partners hear what buyers actually need, not what sounds good on a slide deck.
“These panels are designed to deliver actionable information,” the FPAA said in its announcement. “Every speaker has dealt directly with the issues under discussion.”
Preparing for Black Swan Events
The education program opens with a sobering but necessary topic: crisis readiness.
From 10:00 to 10:45 a.m., SWIPE 2026 will host a panel titled Black Swan Event: Preparing for the Unpredictable. Matt Mandel of SunFed Produce will moderate the session.
Panelists will examine how companies can insulate operations from catastrophic disruptions, including another global pandemic. Speakers will also discuss business continuity planning, supply diversification, and recovery strategies tested during recent crises.
Rather than revisiting old mistakes, the panel aims to sharpen preparedness for whatever comes next. Panelists will emphasize decision-making frameworks and leadership discipline when information is incomplete.
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AI Reshapes Grocery Operations
Next, SWIPE 2026 shifts focus from survival to innovation.
From 10:45 to 11:30 a.m., Tony Mitchell, president of Indianapolis Fruit, will moderate AI in Grocery: Easing Shrink and Other Common Challenges. The session brings together retailers and artificial intelligence experts already applying AI tools in live grocery environments.
Panelists will explain how AI improves inventory management, reduces food waste, and cuts shrinkage. They will also address how data-driven forecasting helps offset rising labor and operational costs.
Importantly, speakers will outline where AI delivers measurable returns today, and where hype still outpaces results. That clarity matters as produce companies weigh technology investments under tight margins.
Duties and Tariffs Remain Front and Center
Trade uncertainty closes the education lineup.
From 12:45 to 1:30 p.m., Ron Lemaire, president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, will moderate Duties & Tariffs: How Retail is Navigating the Impact of an Unstable Supply Chain.
The discussion will explore cross-border complexity, regulatory shifts, and tariff exposure affecting produce flows. Panelists will share strategies for maintaining supply continuity while protecting consumer loyalty during volatile trade cycles.
As trade policy continues to shift, organizers say the session offers timely guidance for companies managing North American sourcing.
Industry Leaders Drive the Conversation
According to FPAA President Lance Jungmeyer, SWIPE 2026 education sessions reflect hard-earned experience rather than abstract commentary.
“SWIPE education sessions are designed to get beyond surface-level chatter,” Jungmeyer said. “Our panelists have faced the challenges, solved real-world problems in our sector, and done the work.”
He added that the sessions balance insight with engagement, making the day both informative and enjoyable for attendees across the produce industry.
A Strategic Gathering for Fresh Produce
As supply chains continue to face uncertainty, SWIPE 2026 positions itself as a strategic benchmark for the industry. By combining crisis planning, emerging technology, and trade realities, SWIPE 2026 aims to equip produce professionals for what lies ahead.
Registration and the full agenda are available at swipeexpo.com.