Chat - Amy Philpott on the WPPC

Amy Philpott of United Fresh Produce Association took time this a.m. for a Fresh Talk "chat" session about the upcoming Washington Public Policy Conference (Sept. 10-12), among other topics.


:02 AM me: Hi Amy r u there?

amyphilpott1: Hi!

9:03 AM me: Thanks for taking time to give us an update on the upcoming public policy conference for United - via "chat mode"

9:04 AM amyphilpott1: Thanks for the opportunity - I love the new format!

9:05 AM me: Before I ask you the particulars about this year's event - what's the general ratio of attendees who have never been to a WPPC and those who are regulars?

9:07 AM amyphilpott1: We typcially get about 10% first-time attendees. This year, we are running at about 12% new attendees.

9:08 AM me: Interesting... and Robert mentioned the other day that registrations were running quite strong..what's the update there?

9:10 AM amyphilpott1: We are actually running ahead of last year with nearly 300 registered attendees and two weeks to go - last year we had about 300 total.

9:11 AM me: This has been quite a year for the industry - and for United staff - in dealing with the salmonella outbreak, among everything else - how has it been personally for you in helping to manage media issues related to that big story?

9:16 AM amyphilpott1: The industry does so many great things. It is hard when issues such as outbreaks detract from the many healthy, safe products that we do deliver everyday. Staying on top of the latest information, correcting misinformation, providing data, and helping the media understand that is exhausting - but I truly enjoy working to get the industry's message out.

9:18 AM me: I think what you and others do is not an easy task and a big industry service, of course. back to the WPPC. what do you hear from first time attendees about the event - what do they come away talking about?

9:23 AM amyphilpott1: It never fails - every year I hear it from first-time attendees, "This conference is the most incredible eye-opener! These issues are so important to our industry and being here in DC is an incredible experience." I think most people are put off by politics until they realize that they can have an impact. The WPPC is the perfect venue - we do all the logistical work and attendees just focus on helping the industry and their businesses...of course, we manage to slip in some fun too!

9:25 AM me: This year the agenda inlcudes a visit to the FDA - quite a coup...do we have confirmation on what FDA officials will represent the agency - that might be a tough crowd for them...

7 minutes

9:32 AM amyphilpott1: No doubt it will be an interesting meeting, but the purpose is to engage in consructive, two-way dialogue. We have a unique opportunity here so it can't just be a gripe session - we have to forge a foundation from which a longer-term working relationship can grow. We've done that as an association, but now it is time for members to take an active role. FDA has said that they "know it is an important event and definitely the right people will be there."

9:33 AM me: Amy, you have been generous with your time as usual. If people want to find more about the event and the agenda, where can they go to find the info? And thanks again for another "chat"..

9:34 AM amyphilpott1: Just go to our home page www.unitedfresh.org and click on the blue WPPC Capitol dome logo.

9:35 AM me: Thanks again..we'll see you in DC then

amyphilpott1: Thanks! See you there and it was good "chatting" with you again. ciao