MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION
JUNE 2025 – MAY 2026
Behind every piece of produce are countless people who helped along the way – the skilled hands, sharp minds, and big hearts that comprise a critical industry in our country. SEPC brings these worlds together. Because together, we create a strong, vibrant industry now and for decades to come.
TOGETHER WE GROW HIGHER!
Please review the updated membership information on our website, including restructured membership tiers, and select which annual membership* best suits your company's needs. Once your current membership status is confirmed, then you'll be able to register for our events.
*Note that our annual membership period runs June through May of the following year. We do not prorate our membership fees. Contact our office if unsure of current membership status.
**All conference attendees are required to be SEPC members in order to attend any events. SEPC conferences have their own registration and fees. Exhibitors are required to maintain a corporate membership.**
OUR SPONSORS
SEPC sponsors are a vital part of our existence. Simply put, sponsor contributions help us bring more to the table for everyone. Like better networking and education events, fresh talent, and a broader awareness of best practices throughout our industry. And of course, when you help us promote produce, your organization will gain crucial exposure at our events and engagements throughout the year.
Together We Grow Higher!
FEBRUARY LEVEL SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
🌟 INVEST IN THE FUTURE 🌟
Sponsor SEPC Educational Programs!
SEPC offers exclusive sponsorship opportunities dedicated to driving our best-in-class educational programs! With different tiers available, you can directly contribute to the future education of our next generation of produce professionals.
Visit our website today to learn more about the innovative ways you can support the future of our industry and gain exposure for your organization!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025-2026 FUTURE OF INDUSTRY SPONSORS!
🎶 KNOW BEFORE Y'ALL GO! 🎶
Put on yer boots and grab yer best hat — it's time to gather for the rootin’-tootin’est Buyer roundup this side of the Mississippi!
🧑🏼🌾Attendee Check-In & Badge Pickup👩🏼🌾
Badges are required at all SEPC events. View the hours during which you can pick up your badge below.
Location: Cypress Rotunda
Thursday, February 26th: 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Friday, February 27th: 7:00am – 9:00pm
Saturday, February 28th: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Need to update your registration or purchase event tickets? Visit the Member Services Desk for assistance with registration changes, ticket purchases, and other event-related inquiries. You may also log back into your registration at any time to modify and add tickets.
🚜Transportation🚜
Activity transportation will take place at the Convention Center Entrance:
Tom Page Golf Classic
The Cool Cucumber Classic Pickleball Tournament
🌽Conference Address🌽
Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Drive
Orlando, FL 32821
🐎Stay Connected🐎
Charging Stations will be available throughout the conference
Follow us on Social Media
💻DIGITAL TOOLKIT💻
Quit your fiddlin' around and Gear Up for Southern Exposure! We’re pullin’ out the stops and puttin' the best assets right in your hands. The Southern Exposure Digital Toolkit is ready for download!
Inside, you’ll find all the banners, logos, and official graphics you need to promote your company's presence at the freshest show in the South.
Don't be a cotton-headed ninny muggins! Get your digital assets today and start spreadin' the word!
🎻Events🎻
This year's conference will be educational and fun-filled, but some of our events require additional fees during registration. Be sure to purchase ahead of time so you don’t miss out! Space is limited at these sessions:
Southern Roots Women’s Luncheon
Good Seeds MENtor Program
Hee Haw Hootenanny (Opening Gala)
Keynote Brunch
***Please note, you must wear your conference badge and bring a valid ID to each of the events. Any badge swapping will result in dismissal from the event***
🤠Who’s Attending?🤠
The attendee list can be accessed by logging in to your registration and selecting “Attendees” within the post registration menu dropdown.
*Please note that any external company solicitation has not been approved by the SEPC.
🧑🏼🌾What Do I Wear?🥾
Overall conference attire is business casual. Use this guide to help decide what to wear throughout the week:
- TOM PAGE GOLF CLASSIC: Golf attire
- COOL CUCUMBER PICKLEBALL CLASSIC: Pickleball attire
- SEPC UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS: Business casual
- HEE HAW HOOTENANNY (Opening Gala): Family-friendly, Hee Haw-themed attire or resort casual
- KEYNOTE LUNCHEON & EXPO: Business casual
- AL FINCH MEMORIAL PRAYER BREAKFAST: Business casual
💰CONTESTS & PRIZES!💰
COSTUME CONTEST
Join our Opening Gala on Friday night in Hee Haw-themed, family-friendly attire to compete in our costume contest for a chance to win one of these AMEX gift cards:
1st place: $200
2nd place: $150
3rd place: $100
Best Group: $300
BOOTH DECORATING CONTEST
Have a booth idea embracing our theme – From Fields To Families? Decorate your Hee Haw-inspired booth on Saturday at the expo for our booth decorating contest! Three of the best decorated booths will receive a prize of one of the following AMEX gift cards:
1st place: $1,000
2nd place: $500
3rd place: $250
💚SEPC CARES INITIATIVE💚
As part of our SEPC Cares commitment to giving back, we are seeking support for our Good Seeds Buckets and Strong Roots, Strong Heart initiatives. These bags and buckets are filled with essential items for the homeless, and your support will have a meaningful impact on those in need.
In appreciation of your generosity, we will send you a copy of our new book, For the Love of Produce – Southeast Produce Council's Culture and Spirit, which features personal stories and experiences from our members.
We encourage you to join us in making a difference in our community — because Together, We Grow Higher!
Produce Donations
The SEPC is proud to donate all leftover produce from Southern Exposure to Society of St. Andrew. A Society of St. Andrew representative will be dropping stickers off to each booth during the expo. If your company is interested in donating leftover product, please attach the stickers to your donations and leave them in your booth after the expo. If you have any questions, please stop by the AGS Service Desk in the expo hall.
😋Expo Extras💆🏼♀️
We will feature refreshment stations as well as a relaxation station during the expo. All badge-wearing attendees of Southern Exposure are welcome…and did we mention it’s complimentary?!
⛪Al Finch Memorial Prayer Breakfast⛪
We invite SEPC members and family to join us in worship and fellowship on Sunday morning during our SEPC Prayer Breakfast.
🪕 Don’t dilly-dally — click below to register and claim yer spot today!
We’ll be hollerin’, learnin’, and two-steppin’ our way through a mighty fine time — and we sure hope to see y’all there!
Southern Exposure Office Hours
Our office will be closed Monday, February 23rd through Monday, March 2nd. Please contact us with any questions at info@seproducecouncil.com. Be sure to visit our FAQs section on the Southern Exposure website for help while we're offsite.
Meet SEPC’s STARS Class of 2026
Click the link below to catch our STARS! We are excited to have each of these students attend Southern Exposure this year to introduce them to our members. Check out their bios and resumes on our website:
The Future of Fresh Starts Here
Join us at our Fresh Futures event during Southern Exposure 2026 and help shape what’s next for the produce industry.
This exclusive experience connects your company with high-potential students who are eager to launch careers in fresh produce. These emerging leaders are bringing bold ideas, real passion, and a desire to learn, and they’re looking for internships, mentorship, and career pathways.
Fresh Futures is designed to bridge today’s industry leaders with tomorrow’s talent.
🌱 The future of fresh is being built now. Don’t miss your seat at the table.
📅 Reserve your company’s spot today
Share Your Expertise!
The Southeast Produce Council invites you to share your expertise as a presenter during our STEP-UPP Virtual Education Days. These sessions provide class participants with valuable insights into all aspects of the produce industry — from growing and harvesting to distribution, marketing, and emerging trends.
Unlike our in-person tours, Virtual Education Day presentations are open to companies nationwide. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your knowledge and highlight your company’s role in the supply chain, regardless of location.
To ensure these sessions are as impactful as possible, we kindly ask that presentations remain educational in nature rather than promotional. The goal is to equip participants with tools, insights, and real-world knowledge they can carry forward in their careers.
We encourage presentations that may include:
📹Virtual field or facility tours🏭
🌱💡Educational sessions on sustainability, innovation, or retail/foodservice trends📈
🎯🚚Insights into marketing, distribution, or processing practices ⚙️
🧠Other impactful topics that provide learning and leadership development🌟
Thank you for helping us inspire and equip the next generation of leaders in the fresh produce industry. Together, we grow higher!
As part of our SEPC Cares commitment to giving back, we are seeking support for our Good Seeds Buckets and Strong Roots, Strong Heart initiatives. These bags and buckets are filled with essential items for the homeless, and your support will have a meaningful impact on those in need.
In appreciation of your generosity, we will send you a copy of our new book, For the Love of Produce - Southeast Produce Council's Culture and Spirit, which features personal stories and experiences from our members.
We encourage you to join us in making a difference in our community—because Together, We Grow Higher!
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Our featured charitable partner for February is Bridge the Gap Ministries whose mission is to provide a safe, supportive, Christ-centered environment for men and women who struggle with life-controlling issues. SEPC partners with Bridge the Gap to reach people with the life changing Gospel, while educating their men and women on the importance and benefits of eating fresh produce during their recovery and long after….Leading to a long, healthy life.
We're excited to welcome a new charitable partner to our SEPC family! Founded in 1906, Nazareth Child & Family Connection is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for every child, individual, and family.
Nazareth has an array of services which are provided in their continuum of care including Family Foster Care, Adoptions, Transitional Living Services for Young Adults, Level II Therapeutic Residential, Short Term Care, Individual and Group Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatric Services, and Outpatient Substance Abuse Therapy in Rowan and Davidson Counties.
🌱HOPE GROWS HERE🌱
Thanks to generous support from the Southeast Produce Council, the Hope Grows Garden at Palmer Home helps their campus serve as a restorative environment for children and families in need of hope and healing.
ESP exists to create transformative experiences for people with disabilities and their families, changing communities for the better. The 100 donated produce boxes help us to provide nutritional, fresh food for our families. This gift is a tremendous benefit each month that provides assistance with our families monthly costs.
Thank you to Nickey Gregory Company for packing, shipping, and delivering the monthly produce boxes to ESP - Athens, GA!
A huge thank you to Freshway Produce and our amazing Southern Roots – Roots on the Road ladies for volunteering your time and hearts at the Hands On South Florida food drive. This is what staying rooted in our communities is all about 🌱👏
We’d love to see even more of our Southern Roots ladies show up and give back!
The next South Florida/Hallandale Beach food drive is February 27th. Registration info is in the link below.
To learn more about SEPC Cares and how you can join the Southeast Produce Council in giving back to the community by educating others about the benefits of healthy eating and habits, click the link below.
The Vorhees Vision Scholarship was created to reward the achievements of young individuals who demonstrate a true entrepreneurial spirit in their lives as they pursue their educational goals.
This scholarship is named in honor of the late Terry L. Vorhees, founder and first Executive Director of the Southeast Produce Council. Because of his vision and efforts, the Southeast Produce Council became and remains one of the best resources in the produce industry today.
DETAILS
One college-aged student (graduating high school senior or current college student) will receive a one-time scholarship of $10,000 to their enrolling college/university. The 2nd place recipient will receive $1,500, and the 3rd place recipient will receive $1,000.
Thank you to each of this year’s Vorhees Vision Scholarship applicants! The recipients will be announced February 9th!
Visit our website for more scholarship information!
Congratulations to Craig Fields of RPE for being the first to answer our January SEPC Fruit & Veggie Trivia Question correctly!
❤️ February Fresh Trivia: Fruits & Veggies We Love
Be the first to answer correctly and win a $25 gift card!
Which heart-healthy vegetable is rich in folate, supports blood flow, and is naturally heart-shaped—making it a Valentine’s favorite?
Red bell peppers
Tomatoes
Beets
Radishes
Show some love to your heart this February! ❤️
Our office will be closed Monday, February 23rd through Monday, March 2nd while we're offsite for Southern Exposure. Please contact us with any questions at info@seproducecouncil.com.
Contact Us!
242 North Masonic Street | Millen, GA 30442 | 877.720.SEPC (7372) | info@seproducecouncil.com