Caribbean Export Takes a Bite Out of the “Big Apple”

A great time was had by many if not all exhibitors and attendees at the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade’s (NASFT) 55^th Summer Fancy Food Show held at the Javitz Center in New York City —June 28-30.

According to NASFT’s website, “the recent Fancy Food Show attracted up to 24,000 attendees from every major food buying channel, influential members of the trade and consumer press and other related businesses.  This year’s show had a record breaking 2,300 exhibitors showcasing 140,000 specialty foods and beverages from the U.S. and more than 70 other countries.” NASFT will continue its YouTube Channel and blog. So join them on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook!

I had an opportunity to meet with a few friends from the Twittersphere. One of my most interesting observations at the show was that some of the exhibitors used social media as a low/no cost option to promote their company and products/services. Congratulations to the exhibitors — @MarieSharps, @SomebodysMother, @CiaoBellaGelato, @FINDOOD, @patsysnyc, @IsabellasNYC, @GagneFoods, @KlickKitchen, @midclass, @Gourmetibles — who successfully used Twitter to gain booth traffic and potentially develop long term business relationships.

Conversation snippets heard on the floor:

• Great show…better than last time I was here
• This is my first time exhibiting at the show and I am not leaving NYC until I get a distributor for my product (exhibitor secured a distributor and was able to forge relationships with others in his specialty food area)
• My legs hurt! (Oh that was me saying that….)
• Food Network stars—Bobby Flay, Barefoot Contessa—got to have them at my booth

For the 4th year, we worked with Sam Kruiner of The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in the marketing and promotion of Caribbean Export’s ”Caribbean Pavilion” participation in the show. We provided marketing consultation, event brochure design and PR services.

I was delighted to say hello to old friends as well as meet new ones at the 2009 Caribbean Pavilion. Exhibitors in the Pavilion included Baron Foods, Ltd, Belize Aquaculture, BABA Ltd, BIDC, Central Food Packers, Calypso Rum Cake, CED, De La Grenade Industries, Erica’s Country Style, JTI, Country Traders, Honey Bun, Value Manufacture, KC Candy, Matouk’s, Marie Sharpe’s Fine Foods Ltd, Susie’s Hot Sauce, St. Vincent Breweries, St. Vincent Distillers, TTABA-Flavour Islands, and West Best Foods.

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