May 8, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Pace International 7th Annual Postharvest Academy sets attendance record

Pace International held its 7th annual Pace Postharvest Academy last Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 at the Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, WA, gathering over 150 industry leaders from various countries.

The half-day conference explored game changing ideas and innovative solutions and strategies for pome and stone fruits that can help customers address challenges found in packinghouses today.

“Pace’s Postharvest Academy is about sharing innovative ideas, but also about bringing solutions to our customers that can be implemented as soon as they go back to their operations. There is nothing more rewarding for us as an organization than to help our customers be better. If they succeed, then we do too”, said Rodrigo Cifuentes, VP Marketing and Business Development, Pace International.

The line-up of speakers and topics in this year’s academy included:

  • Mark Seetin - Director, Regulatory & Industry Affairs, US Apple Association
    2017 Apple Crop – Outlook and Overview
  • Kate Woods - Vice President, NW Horticultural Council
    FDA Listeria Guidance: Best Practices in Packing Line Sanitation & Beyond. A Practical Solution
  • Dr. Richard Kim - Director of Plant Pathology, Pace International
    Strategies to Breaking the Fungicide Resistance Trap
  • Dr. Jennifer DeEll - Postharvest Physiologist, Ontario, CAN
    Effects of Multiple 1-MCP Applications on Apples & Internal CO2 Injury and Browning of Honeycrisp and How They May Be Controlled
  • Dr. David Felicetti - Product Development Manager, Pace International
    Game Changing Innovations on ecoFOG® & FYSIUM® Applications
  • Dr. James Adaskaveg - Professor of Plant Pathology, University of CA Riverside
    BioSpectra™ - The New Biorational Fungicide for Cherries
  • Frank Gasperini – Executive Vice President/ CEO, National Council of Agricultural Employers
    Agriculture, Labor, and Immigration – Eyeing Potential Changes & Updates on Temporary Work Programs

Pace’s academy has established itself as one of the most important meetings in the postharvest industry and continues to grow its attendance and geographical expansion.

“Our goal is to replicate this model in other regions, crops and markets as well. We need to be able to share these exciting and innovative ideas with customers in other areas. The growing population and reduction of food waste will require that we think outside the box if we are to feed 8.5 billion people by 2030,” said Jorge Gotuzzo, Marketing Director, Pace International.

About Pace International:

Pace International, LLC is a subsidiary of Valent BioSciences Corporation, a Sumitomo Chemical Company. Pace collaborates with growers, packers and agricultural organizations to develop innovative solutions to enhance, protect, and preserve fruit and vegetable quality. Pace is the leading provider of postharvest solutions and technologies, equipment and technical services to maximize efficiencies in packing operations and increase the value of crops being processed.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.paceint.com

About Valent BioSciences Corporation

Headquartered in Libertyville, IL, Valent BioSciences is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Company and is the worldwide leader in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of biorational products with sales in 95 countries around the world. Valent BioSciences is an ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company. For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.valentbiosciences.com

About Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Sumitomo Chemical is one of Japan’s leading chemical companies, offering a diverse range of products globally in the fields of petrochemicals, energy and functional materials, IT-related chemicals and materials, health and crop science products, and pharmaceuticals. The company’s consolidated net sales for fiscal year 2014 were JPY 2.38 trillion. For additional information, visit the company’s website at www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/.