Leadership Symposium speakers challenge attendees to strategize and innovate in 2011

Newark, Del. - Senior executives are encouraged to challenge their global, corporate and personal enrichment strategies by attending the 2011 Produce Marketing Association Foundation for Industry Talent (PMA FIT) Leadership Symposium, to be held Jan. 19-21 in partnership with Cornell University at the Omni Dallas Park West, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Past symposium attendees attest to the event’s effectiveness at jump-starting their business calendars with fresh perspectives on strategies and leadership of their companies. “I came back extremely happy and energized,” said Miguel Usabiaga, vice president of Empacadora G.A.B. Inc. “I started focusing on the personal goals of my people, becoming more interested in what motivates them. I've already started implementing some of the things I've learned, and there is so much more I want to do.”

The educational program for this annual 2½ day-event once again features four top leadership speakers who will build collaboration and challenge attendees on strategy and innovation.

• Former CEO and Travelocity Founder Terry Jones, will talk with attendees about business innovation as a path to growth. Jones created a culture of innovation where new ideas were celebrated, mistakes became fast learning loops, and employees learned that anyone could innovate. Jones will take participants through the steps he employed to nurture new ideas and discuss critical elements like the right organizational structure and team composition.
• Thought leader on global management issues andone of the foremost business management thinkers, Tom Stewart will demonstrate that today’s market winners are now separated from the losers based on how they strategically invest in intellectual capital to transform their organizations. Stewart will share with symposium participants the four pillars of the “Global Knowledge Economy.”
• Dr. Charles Prather, one of today's most respected innovation consultants,will give his perspective with lessons of experience, innovation, problem solving and skill building. Prather will share ways to think "out of the box" more effectively by using the KAI Innovation and Adaptation Assessment, which creates an awareness of how people prefer to use their creativity style to solve problems. The results can be used to develop strategy that leads to greater organizational output with more effective teamwork and increased job satisfaction.
• Mark King, CEO of TaylorMade Adidas Golf will focus on real-life lessons in leadership.Although he was highly successful at running sales forces, once he assumed the president & CEO role at TaylorMade, he quickly realized his experience as a sales leader didn’t fully prepare him for the daily battles of leading a global company in a challenging market. King’s first-hand experiences will educate participants on how to challenge people to excel beyond expectations.

Space is still available for the 2011 symposium, but is limited in order to offer an intimate, personal learning and networking environment. Top executives throughout the global fresh produce industry are invited to apply by Dec. 31. Visit the 2011 PMA FIT Leadership Symposium website for more information and to apply.

About PMA Foundation for Industry Talent (PMA FIT)

The PMA Foundation for Industry Talent was founded in 2006 by Produce Marketing Association, the leading trade association for the produce industry. PMA FIT is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation providing produce companies with unique programs to attract, develop and retain the produce industry’s most valuable resource - talented people. PMA FIT is dedicated to ensuring a quality workforce for the industry, and making a positive difference in the lives of current and future produce professionals by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth and career success. For more information, visit www.pmafit.com.

About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)

Founded in 1949, the Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing nearly 3,000 companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. Members rely on PMA year round for the business solutions they need to increase sales and consumption, build strong professional relationships, and expand their business opportunities. For more information, visit www.pma.com.