WASHINGTON, DC, August 9, 2012 – The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) and its partner Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Armazenagem (ABIAF), the national cold storage association of Brazil, are holding a Latin American Cold Chain Summit, October 16-17, 2012 in São Paulo, Brazil.

“Development of the cold chain is critical in Latin America to meet the increasing demand for perishable foods caused by a retail boom and a growing trade business in the region,” says GCCA President and CEO Bill Hudson. “This summit will help cold chain companies from around the world develop their infrastructure and better meet international standards for quality and food safety.”

He added that presentations analyzing key trends in the region will help inform potential investors in the cold chain sector, using Brazil as a case study of a maturing cold chain market.

The summit will attract owners and top management from refrigerated warehouse operators, retailers, processors, and transportation companies based in both Latin America and outside the region.

GCCA will also plan a site visit to two cold storage facilities near Sao Paulo: Friozem Logística and Empresas BRF - Brasil Foods.

The summit will also include networking receptions and a trade show.

The summit will be held in conjunction with a meeting of the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) and World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) Boards of Directors, ensuring that top executives from several leading cold chain companies from around the world will attend. IARW and WFLO are core partner organizations of GCCA.

For more information, visit www.gcca.org/summit or call GCCA International Headquarters at +1 703 373 4300.