United Fresh gearing up for annual Washington Conference
The United Fresh Produce Association recently opened the application period for the 2019 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship and revealed its plan to host a Produce Advocacy Bootcamp during the annual United Fresh Washington Conference.
The Caplan scholarship program, found in 2001 by sisters Karen Caplan and Jackie Caplan Wiggins in honor of their mother, Frieda Rapoport Caplan, provides the opportunity for representatives from family-owned, United Fresh member companies to attend the Washington Conference Sept 16-18 in Washington DC.
This year, scholarship recipients will receive complimentary airfare, hotel and registration to participate in the conference, United Fresh said. Applications must be received by Aug 8. Candidates are reviewed and selected by a committee using several criteria, including advocacy work and commitment to the produce industry.
“Thanks to the very generous support and leadership of the Caplan family, family businesses throughout the industry benefit from this exceptional leadership opportunity,” said Miriam Wolk, United Fresh’s vice president of member services. “This year’s recipients will take part in all facets of the United Fresh Washington Conference, and acquire the skills they need to be effective advocates on the issues that impact their businesses and the fresh produce industry.”
The Washington Conference brings together hundreds of produce leaders from all sectors of the industry for education on critical industry issues and meetings with members of Congress, their staff and top regulatory officials. Scholarship recipients will have an opportunity to network with produce industry executives from across the country, as well as gain an understanding of the political process and how to advocate for priority issues.
Visit unitedfresh.org to apply, or contact Mary Alameda at 202-303-3413.
The new Produce Advocacy Bootcamp is set for Sept 16 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in DC. It will offer simple and effective strategies industry professionals can adopt during their meetings with elected officials in the Senate and House of Representatives.
“Visiting elected officials on Capitol Hill can be exciting and intimidating,” said Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of United Fresh. “This year’s interactive Produce Advocacy Bootcamp will prepare new attendees with insights into what to expect and techniques for effectively communicating our industry’s needs with members of Congress.”
Attendees will participate in the march on Capitol Hill prepared with insider knowledge of what a day in the life looks like for a member of Congress, how meeting with staffers can be just as impactful as meeting with members, how to react to feedback and respond to policy questions during meetings.
Admission to the Produce Advocacy Bootcamp is included in a United Fresh Washington Conference registration. For more information and to register, visit unitedfresh.org.
