Jim Lemke, President of Robinson Fresh, will be the keynote speaker at the Monday Opening General Session kicking off the inaugural Global Cold Chain Expo in Chicago, June 20-22.

More than 200 cold chain industry leaders will gather for the opening general session at the Palmer House Hilton on Monday afternoon, June 20. Lemke’s remarks will focus on emerging business opportunities for cold chain solution providers and will address the trends driving growth in fresh food and the global cold chain, including local and international consumer demand, and opportunities for the industry to adjust to these disruptions.

As president of Robinson Fresh, Lemke has global oversight of the company’s fresh produce and temperature controlled supply chain activities. A 27-year logistics and fresh produce industry veteran, Lemke was honored as the Packer’s “Produce Man of the Year” in 2008. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Minnesota, is the current chairman of the United Fresh Start Foundation, and a former chairman of United Fresh Produce Association.

The Monday Global Cold Chain education package also features eight workshops in three different tracks, including topics such as: low charge ammonia systems, cold storage capacity crunch, complying with the Sanitary Transportation of Food and FSMA, best practices in the fresh supply chain, automation in cold storage and retrieval, developing talent, and more.

Following the keynote session, all attendees will join in an opening networking reception for Global Cold Chain attendees at the Palmer House Hilton.

The focus shifts to the McCormick Place Convention Center on Tuesday morning with Global Cold Chain education and an additional Cold Chain Solutions track from 8:00-10:00 a.m., followed by the grand opening of the first Global Cold Chain Expo on the North Hall mezzanine level. Education and expo floor times will continue on Wednesday.

To register for the Global Cold Chain education package and trade show, visit www.globalcoldchainexpo.org.

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About the Global Cold Chain Alliance
Comprised of its Core Partners, including the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses, the World Food Logistics Organization, the International Refrigerated Transportation Association, and the International Association for Cold Storage Construction, the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) represents all major industries engaged in temperature-controlled logistics. GCCA unites partners to be innovative leaders in the temperature-controlled products industry. For more information about GCCA, visit www.gcca.org

About the United Fresh Produce Association
Founded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Association brings together companies across every segment of the fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations. We empower industry leaders to shape sound government policy. We deliver the resources and expertise companies need to succeed in managing complex business and technical issues. We provide the training and development individuals need to advance their careers in produce. Through these endeavors, we unite our industry with a common purpose – to build long-term value for our members and grow produce consumption. Visit www.unitedfresh.org