It is not only a Southern family—it is my Southern family, Mike Casazza tells me. When the subject turns to the Southern Exposure event, the camaraderie and warmth come rushing back, and Mike jumps at the chance to share just how important the council has been to him for more than 22 years—and, more importantly, why.
“It is a show and an organization that has not lost its heart. Other shows are about the shows; SEPC shows are about the people. It’s brilliant in that it worked because they follow their heart,” Mike, President of the Southwest Region for FreshSource, tells me. “The organization stands on strong pillars, built by Founder Terry Vorhees and moved forward by current SEPC President David Sherrod, in his image. David has been a brother to me for more than two decades. I could not have been any happier for him and the SEPC when he took over the reins of the organization and continued to build it into what it is today. It just warms my heart."
Mike pauses to settle into the storied history of SEPC and all that he has seen grow.
"SEPC never steered far from its original charter; it has remained a cornerstone of so many companies here in the Southeast and beyond," Mike says.
With a vision to cultivate the future of produce and uplift growers, packers, shippers, and buying operations in the Southeast and beyond, SEPC’s commitment to members is no small goal. Its values of integrity, morality, passion, accountability, charity, and teamwork reinforce an already strong position—one that holds as steady as the family we choose, and with the same depth of love and passion.
“There is just a traction to it all,” Mike explains. “You can just show up to an SEPC event as a new attendee or member, and everyone treats you as if you have been there forever. The organization has a way of making you feel like you just belong. Friendships form, competitors sit down at the same table, and people talk honestly about the challenges and wins in front of them—and that comes down to how the show has grown, but in a way that has kept SEPC gatherings intimate.”
A big part of how Mike believes SEPC stays true to its heart is by being of service. From mentorship and leadership programs to Southern Roots and its philanthropic endeavors, SEPC continues to give back long after the doors close on a show or membership fees have come due. It really is a thing of beauty.
"It just warms my heart. Because SEPC never steered far from its original charter, it has remained a cornerstone of so many companies here in the Southeast and beyond.”
Mike Casazza, President, FreshSource
At this point, I ask Mike about the moment when his journey first crossed paths with SEPC—and why it has remained such a home away from home for him and his team at FreshSource.
Mike goes back to the early days, when David invited him to Lakeland to sit down with Terry, who outlined the founding ideas—the basic structure of how this could turn into what it is today. What struck him most wasn’t the show—it was the intention.
“It was all about the people—family, faith… the pillars were phenomenal,” Mike shares. “Seeing that vision, I didn’t hesitate. I donated along with other early adopters, and that support helped seed the first show in 2004—just 80 booths, about 100 agriculture, retail, and foodservice professionals gathered, wide open space, and something unexpected happening in the middle of it all. It turned into something like a block party. Nobody cared that they were talking to competitors. From that moment on, I was in. I’ve been blessed to attend nearly every event since—watching it grow while never losing what made it special in the first place.”
What also sets SEPC apart, Mike explains, is how intentionally the experience is designed—down to the smallest details. From shared meals and thoughtfully planned events to natural touchpoints that make networking feel effortless, every element is built to bring people together. There are opportunities to connect with retailers outside the booth, curated gatherings that foster real conversation, and innovation sections that give new ideas a platform. In his view, it strikes a rare balance between utility and Southern hospitality—where business gets done, but never at the expense of human connection.
That intentionality creates something deeper: a sense of belonging that keeps people coming back. Over time, relationships become familiar, conversations resume as if no time has passed, and the event begins to feel more like a family reunion than a trade show. It is the warmth, generosity, and shared experience that linger long after the event ends—something that naturally draws people back year after year.
And that, perhaps more than anything, is what makes SEPC truly unforgettable. 
