The Packer’s Global Organic Produce Expo (GOPEX) has been reinvented for 2021, offering organic fresh produce buyers and suppliers two chances to engage in this increasingly important segment of the industry. 

GOPEX 2021 is taking place January 25-29, 2021 completely digitally. GOPEX Home will feature exciting and interactive entertainment, thought leadership from key industry professionals and a unique program that attendees and sponsors will be talking about all year. In addition to networking sessions that include a virtual escape room and a BYOP (Bring Your Own Pet) happy hour, the January 25-29 online event will offer the quality educational programming and BizMatch meetings for which GOPEX is well known. 

Organic Trade Association will be presenting the following panel sessions during GOPEX Home in January: 

• Finding Trends in Organic Numbers
  Panel Session: Tuesday, January 26, 2:00 - 2:45 EDT Networking / Discussion: 3:00-4:00 EDT
  Featuring: Angela Jagiello
   
• The First 100 Days: An Industry Petition to the New Administration
  Panel Session: Thursday, January 28, 4:15-5:00pm EDT Networking / Discussion: 5:00-5:30 EST
  Featuring: Megan Debates

A second, in-person event, GOPEX Go, will take place in August 2021, with dates and location to be announced soon. The event will feature a more intimate outdoor expo/golf tournament format for 100 of the most influential retail and wholesale buyers in organic fresh produce. The in-person event will include BizMatch meetings, exhibits and social activities that will deliver exclusive sponsorship opportunities and deeper connections among all participants. 

If you are interested in connecting with Organic Trade Association at GOPEX, contact Angela Jagiello. 

The trade fair duo BIOFACH and VIVANESS will take place February 17-19, 2021 completely digitally. BIOFACH is the place where people share their passionate interest in organic food, get to know each other and exchange views, since 1990.

Although we will not be traveling together to Nuremburg, OTA is offering virtual exhibition opportunities in the online OTA and USDA booth! OTA will cover the costs of a STANDARD virtual booth package (value of 2,350 euros), which includes:

• Company profile, description, logo, contact info
• 3 pdf uploads, 1 video upload, 10 image uploads
• 10 exhibitor passes, 20 visitor passes for your contacts
• Up to 10 product listings
• Digital matchmaking
• Standard lead list of your generated contacts
• Participation in Biofach congress

REGISTER HERE!

USDA will be working with OTA companies to help arrange meetings with qualified contacts. The Biofach virtual show organizers are working to ensure qualified buyers attend the virtual event. OTA will work with you to help get your virtual booth set up and direct buyers to you during the show. OTA sponsorship will be available for a limited amount of companies, on a first come, first serve basis, so early signups are encouraged! Please direct any questions to Alexis Carey at acarey@ota.com

For all USDA MAP programs, all of the products you promote must be USDA certified organic, produced in the USA, and made of 51% or more of U.S. based ingredients either by value (cost of the ingredients) or volume (against overall weight of the product).  This is the federal USDA regulation for participation and part of declaration you agree to when signing up for Organic Trade Association activities.  All supplier participants must complete Organic Trade Association’s online evaluation following the activity and a 6 month follow-up evaluation. All participants must also agree to be available online for the entire meeting window. 

Gulfood will be taking place February 21-25, 2021 in Dubai. This edition Gulfood will equip the entire food industry to prepare for the inevitable changes and surge of demand that have bestowed upon us rapidly - online and at the event. 

Organic Trade Association will host an organic pavilion at the show for 6 U.S. organic companies. The exhibit space in this pavilion has already been filled. If you are interested in learning more in case space becomes available, contact Alexis Carey, International Trade Manager. 

FOODEX Japan is taking place March 9-12, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Over 80,000 qualified Japanese traders,wholesalers, retailers and food service buyers will attend.

Organic Trade Association will host a pavilion of 5-6 U.S. organic companies at the show. If you are interested in participating, contact Alexis Carey, International Trade Manager. 

Organic Trade Association will be hosting a Trade Mission to Australia and New Zealand, taking place May 4-6, 2021, for a limited group of U.S. organic companies interested in expanding in those markets. If you are interested in participating, contact Alexis Carey, International Trade Manager. 

The Organic Center will hold the largest ever virtual organic celebration on May 26, 2021 to showcase the latest science on the environmental and health benefits of organic farming, food and products.

Organic industry leaders and consumers will come together for the virtual event to celebrate the (in)credible science behind organic. The celebration will feature inspiring keynote speeches, informative research updates and organic recipe tutorials with influencer watch parties, raffle prizes, and ways to support sponsor companies and engage in the work of The Organic Center.

“The Organic Center is committed to the pursuit and achievement of sound science for the public good. Its research empowers consumers and helps strengthen and expand sustainable farming to make organic even better by tackling critical issues like soil health, biodiversity and how organic can positively impact the environment and human health,” said Bob Kaake, Organic & Natural Technical Director at General Mills and member of The Organic Center’s Board of Trustees.

Kaake added: “By leading with science, The Organic Center is at the forefront showing how organic agriculture can be part of the solution to climate change. Please support The Organic Center so it can continue to provide ‘(In)credible Science, Credibly Sourced.’”

The virtual benefit will include live and pre-recorded program elements that feature the latest science on the environmental and health benefits of organic farming, food and products. With no cost to attend the event, the consumer audience is expected to be large and diverse.

Dr. Tyrone Hayes, groundbreaking biologist and activist, will be one of a handful of inspirational keynote speakers. Fan-favorite celebrity Chef Megan Mitchell will create video tutorials with custom recipes created from sponsor products. The virtual menu will be shared in advance so attendees can follow along from home.

The event will be held during Natural Products Expo West, and will be hosted on New Hope Network’s Natural Products Expo Virtual platform, which will also be the digital site for the organic and natural products community to access other virtual components of Natural Products Expo West. The Organic Center’s annual celebration has for 15 years been one of the most highly anticipated events at Expo, and is the single biggest fundraising event for The Organic Center.

“We are very excited about our new venue for our benefit in 2021, and the potential to tell organic’s amazing story to a bigger audience than ever before,” said Dr. Jessica Shade, Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center. “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to do things in new ways, and it’s made organic, and the research on organic, even more important.”

“At Organic Valley, we know the world needs more organic food. Research from The Organic Center shows the benefits of organic food and farming, and is essential to debunking myths and maintaining trust in the Organic seal. As a TOC board member, I believe funding this research is critical. The Organic Center continues to conduct and support innovative research on organic animal care, climate-smart farming practices, and more,” stressed Logan Peterman, Agricultural Data Scientist for Organic Valley and trustee for The Organic Center.

Current sponsors for the 2021 event are Albert Lea Seed House, Aurora Organic Dairy, Cal-Organic/Grimmway Farms, Danone, Firmenich, Lundberg Family Farms, New Hope Network, Organic Valley, Presence Marketing, Rogue Creamery and Whole Foods Market.

There are six levels of sponsorship available. Contributions support The Organic Center’s work and allow it to continue to be THE trusted resource for scientific reporting on agriculture and food. For details on how to be one of the benefits sponsors, contact Douglas Korb.

The Organic Produce Summit will take place July 14-15, 2021 in Monterey, CA. 

Organic Trade Association will be hosting a Produce Buyers Mission in coordination with the show, including international buyers from 6-8 different markets. Meetings will take place July 14-15, 2021. If you are interested in participating, contact Alexis Carey, International Trade Manager. 

The Organic World Congress (OWC) is taking place September 8-10, 2021 in Rennes, France. 

The organic sector assembles to host the Organic World Congress (OWC), the world’s largest organic gathering, every three years. Drawing from the motto, ‘From its Roots, Organic Inspires Life‘, this conference will address questions around resilience, societal transformation, ecosystem regeneration, health and food sovereignty are more. 

OWC 2021 will aim to provide organic and likeminded stakeholders working toward sustainable agriculture, value chains, and consumption with an opportunity to exchange their knowledge, innovations, and experiences. The congress offers momentum and inspiration to all who take part and is seen as a leading event for the global organic sector.

Organic Trade Association staff will be participating in some of the sessions. Check back soon for more details on session topics! 

For more informatoin, contact Angela Jagiello, Organic Trade Association's Director of Education & Insights. 

Anuga will be taking place October 9-13, 2021 in Cologne, Germany. This is the world’s largest trade fair for food and beverages, breaks new grounds for the developments of the entire industry. It is the most important industry meeting point as the figures of 2019 once again impressively demonstrate: With 7,972 exhibitors and about 169,653 visitors, Anuga Cologne is clearly the number one food fair!

Organic Trade Association will host a pavilion at the show for 8 U.S. organic companies. If you are interested in participating, contact Alexis Carey, International Trade Manager.