A LOOK BACK AT THE WESTERN GROWERS 2025 ANNUAL MEETING By Brittany Thomas, Event Manager
Joelle Mosso, Western Growers’ AVP of Science Programs, addresses the crowd during the Featured Session - AI: Food Safety's Friend or Foe?
The Western Growers 99th Annual Meeting welcomed more than 550 specialty crop industry leaders and guests for four dynamic days of networking, compelling speakers, educational panels and a celebration of the industry at the iconic Hotel del Coronado in Coronado, Calif. The conference kicked off with a keynote from Bryan Stern, a global crisis response leader with more than 25 years of service across the military and intelligence community. Momentum continued at the PAC Lunch with an engaging conversation between Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia and Eli Lake of The Free Press on national and geopolitical issues, followed by a packed Featured Session, “AI: Food Safety’s Friend or Foe?”, exploring the expanding role of artificial intelligence in food safety. Guests later boarded the W.G. Navigator for the nautical-themed Party with the Partners.
The return of AgSharks energized the program as four startups pitched bold ideas to investors. At the Chair’s Lunch and Keynote, WG Chair Stuart Woolf reflected on his two years of service and thanked members, board leadership, sponsors and partners. The event was followed by a Q&A with economist Jeremy Siegel on the economy and current administration policies. The Award of Honor Dinner Gala provided a memorable opportunity to present Stewart Resnick of The Wonderful Company with the industry’s highest honor, closing with a comedic set from Aaron Weber and a speakeasy-themed afterparty. The Annual Meeting concluded with the Pickleball Classic and the Growers Cup Golf Tournament. We look forward to seeing you next year!
The Award of Honor Dinner Gala in the Hotel Del Coronado’s famous Crown Room.
A bird’s eye view of the Award of Honor reception.
24 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com January – March 2026
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