Do you know an individual or organization that has harnessed science or technology to solve a produce or floral industry business challenge – in particular, that is helping industry to work smarter, not harder? Nominate them by March 23 for Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) second-annual Science & Technology Circle of Excellence Award.
“This award recognizes leaders who are helping our industry turn to science and technology rather than more labor to solve industry challenges, so that we are working smarter and not harder with the labor we do have,” said PMA Chief Science & Technology Officer Bob Whitaker, Ph.D. “We intentionally named this award ‘Circle of Excellence’ because by recognizing innovators, we hope to inspire others to follow their lead.”
The inaugural 2017 award went to SmartWash Solutions, for its systems that help packers and processors of fresh fruits and vegetables to monitor and enhance wash water quality in real time. SmartWash Solutions systems help companies save labor while also enhancing food safety and protecting public health.
“While SmartWash has been honored with numerous awards, as a company born from the needs of the produce industry, receiving the PMA Science & Technology Circle of Excellence Award was particularly gratifying for our team,” said SmartWash Solutions President Jim Brennan. “To be singled out by our peers in the industry as a leader of technological food safety innovation has re-energized our efforts to further push the boundaries of the science of food safety.”
PMA members can submit nominations for the 2018 award, though nominees do not have to be members. Self-nominations are accepted and there is no cost to enter. A panel including PMA staff science and technology subject matter experts and industry executives will select this year’s award winner.
The 2018 Science & Technology Circle of Excellence award winner will be announced at PMA’s Tech Knowledge Conference May 2-3 in Monterey, Calif., USA, and recognized again at PMA’s Fresh Summit Convention & Expo Oct. 18-20 in Orlando, Fla., USA. The winner will receive complimentary full registration to Tech Knowledge and Fresh Summit, and be recognized by PMA via public relations, social media and PMA.com.
For more information and to submit a nomination for the Science & Technology Circle of Excellence Award, visit www.pma.com/members/awards-of-excellence.
The Science & Technology Circle of Excellence Award is one element of PMA’s year-round work to help its members harness science and technology to sustain and grow their businesses. PMA also hosts in-person and virtual science- and technology-themed events throughout the year, including the first-ever Fresh Connections: Technology on Feb. 20, Tech Knowledge in May, Fresh Summit in October, technology educational content in other PMA events, and webinars in between. Members can also access a broad range of science and technology content 24/7/365 via PMA.com.
The Science & Technology Circle of Excellence Award is one of five Awards of Excellence that PMA bestows annually:
- PMA’s Floral Marketer of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and an uncommon commitment to the mass-market floral retail industry.
- The Robert L. Carey Leadership Award recognizes one individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and an uncommon commitment to PMA and the fresh produce and floral industries.
- PMA’s Bryan E. Silbermann Collaboration Award honors a PMA member who has addressed an industry issue and/or challenge through collaboration.
- Center for Growing Talent by PMA’s new Women’s Catalyst Award recognizes industry individuals who cultivate women’s potential by mentoring and fostering a path for leadership, development and participation.
For more information:
Cassidy Taylor
Produce Marketing Association
Tel: +1 (302) 781-5852