If your work involves getting food and drinks from farm or factory to consumer tables—whether in transportation, warehousing, packaging, or temperature management—the Food Shippers of America Annual Conference in Palm Desert is designed with you in mind. It’s the only event of its kind focused squarely on the challenges and solutions in refrigerated and frozen food logistics.
Expect helpful case studies, new tech, peer networking, and sunny desert vibes to make the experience both valuable and memorable.
When & Where It Happens
- Dates: January 20–23, 2026
- Venue: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, California
- Event Schedule:
- Day 0 (Tuesday): Afternoon registration and welcome reception
- Day 1–2: Educational sessions, expert panels, supplier showcases
- Day 3: Wrap-up sessions, optional facility tours, resort activities
The resort offers a relaxed, connected environment—great for networking by the pool or golf course after a morning of learning.
What Makes This Conference Stand Out
- A highly focused agenda built for food‑grade logistics needs
- Sessions led by food producers, carriers, technology providers, and regulatory experts
- Case studies addressing real-world challenges like temperature excursions, packaging innovation, and last-mile delivery
- A trade show exhibition with coolers, thermal packaging, IoT sensors, temperature data systems, specialty carriers, and consulting services
- Peer roundtables and open discussions about shifting consumer tastes, evolving regs, and cold-chain complexity
It’s a must-attend learning ground for anyone working in cold chain for food or beverage.
Who Should Attend
- Supply chain and logistics managers in food manufacturing
- Temperature-control and packaging engineers
- Cold storage warehouse and distribution center operators
- Carrier execs and fleet managers specializing in refrigerated transport
- Technology leaders in IoT, data, tracing, and freshness monitoring
- Procurement and sourcing directors dealing with perishables
- Consultants and analysts in cold-chain logistics
- Regulatory, safety, and QA professionals in food quality
If you deal with keeping food fresh, safe, and traceable during transport—this conference is tailored for you.
What You’ll Experience
1. Insightful Educational Sessions
Topics dive into thermal modeling, insulated packaging design, regulatory changes, cold storage automation, last-mile consumer delivery, sustainability, and metrics for freshness.
2. Real-World Case Studies
Learn from peers who’ve reduced waste, solved spoilage issues, slashed energy costs, or handled tricky shipping lanes—complete with measurable results.
3. Supplier Showcase Zone
Meet vendors who specialize in refrigerated packaging, thermal liners, sensor systems, refrigerated trailers, cold-storage design firms, and specialty carriers.
4. Interactive Roundtables
Peer-led conversations address shared challenges: managing miles from harvest to market, temperature compliance, or multi-brand trucking partnerships.
5. Technical Workshops
Hands-on guidance on validating packaging, setting cold-chain KPIs, or navigating labeling and traceability standards.
6. Tours & Networking Events
Take a morning trip to a local cold-storage facility or carrier yard. Then connect with people casually over receptions, meals, or pool chats—relationship building in a relaxed setting.
Why It’s Worth Your Time
- Get real takeaways: You’ll see practical tools and methods you can bring back and implement
- Reduce loss and spoilage: Discover new solutions that directly impact your bottom line
- Learn from peers: These aren’t theoretical sessions—real logistics pros share results and lessons
- Access niche suppliers: Technology for cold chain is evolving fast; it’s hard to cover this in general supply‑chain fairs
- Build a community: Food shippers form a tight-knit group—connections run deep and last
- Balance work and rejuvenation: Resort setting makes learning enjoyable and low-stress
Cost & Registration Info
- Full Conference Pass: Includes sessions, meals, roundtables, and receptions
- Optional Facility Tours: Available for extra cost
- Registration Rates:
- Early-bird discount for booking months ahead
- Standard rate for on-time registration
- Group rate for teams from the same company
Watch deadlines—early registration saves money and secures access to tours with limited space.
Where to Stay
The conference is based at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, offering:
- Spacious rooms and suites with lounge access
- On-site restaurants, bars, spa, and golf courses
- Easy walk to session rooms, networking events, and tours
- Group room blocks—ideal for teams
If you prefer off-resort lodging, nearby hotels and rentals offer simpler pricing and commute options.
Getting There & Moving Around
- Air Travel: Palm Springs International Airport is about a 15-minute drive away
- Ground Transport: Resort shuttles, taxis, and ride-share options are available
- On-site Mobility: The venue is walkable, and staff offer golf-cart rides for easy movement
Event Prep Tips
- Review the agenda and select sessions most relevant to your day-to-day challenges
- Bring a pen-and-notebook or tablet for notes—technical info can be dense
- Prepare questions for vendors, such as about how sensor data integrates with your systems
- Attend a roundtable to hear how others tackle thermal belt issues or energy efficiency
- Sign up early for facility tours—they fill up fast
- Network during meals or on the golf course—these down times often spark game-changing ideas
- Share insights post-event—following up with peers can lead to partnerships or strategies
Final Thoughts
The Food Shippers of America Annual Conference in Palm Desert is a unique, practical, and highly relevant event for anyone working at the intersection of food, transportation, and logistics.
It’s not a general fair—it’s a professional incubator focused on preserving freshness, cutting costs, and managing complexity in cold-chain logistics. If you’re responsible for moving perishables, attending is one of the smartest investments you can make.
To learn more and reserve your ticket, visit:
https://www.foodshippersofamerica.org/annual-conference