Only NASFT Members can exhibit at the Shows, where retailers, restaurateurs, distributors and others discover innovative, new food and beverage products. The Shows are attended by every major food buying channel, influential members of the trade and consumer press and other related businesses
The 57th Summer Fancy Food Show relocated to Washington, D.C. from its longtime home in New York City, and the move was a success. The show, July 10 – 12, 2011, was held at the state-of-the-art Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where exhibit space sold out weeks before the show, and goals for the show were met on all counts.The exhibit halls were filled with 2,400 specialty food companies featuring 180,000 foods and beverages from 80 countries and regions, including hand-crafted salami from Salt Lake City, caramels with ghost chili from Seattle, hibiscus jam from Senegal and plantain chips from Ecuador. The products represented the best in new flavors, ideas, trends, and innovation that the global specialty food industry is known for.
There were 15,400 attendees representing important names in retailing and restaurants from across the U.S. and around the world. The show attracted a new cadre of attendees: almost half the buyers had never before been to a Fancy Food Show, or had not attended in the past five years, reflecting a lot of potential new business for exhibitors.
The show used the entire convention center, covering more 318,000 square feet of exhibit space. There were 197 first-time exhibitors, including 46 international newcomers such as Botswana, Bulgaria, and Kenya. Countries back with larger exhibits than at last year’s Summer Fancy Food Show included Barbados, Tunisia, Peru, Sri Lanka, Greece, Morocco, China and France. Italy boasted the largest international presence.
Great Buzz
The Fancy Food Show made headlines around the world. Close to 500 journalists scoured the show for trend-setting products and the stories behind them. Good Morning America kicked it all off with a pre-Show segment on July 6, and The Today Show aired a post-Show wrap-up on July 26th. During the Show, there was extensive television coverage on FOX 5 TV, the Washington, D.C. news affiliates of ABC, CBS and NBC, and Voice of America. The Washington Post, Reuters, The Philadelphia Inquirer, O, The Oprah Magazine, Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, plus all the key industry publications including Gourmet Retailer, Gourmet News, and Specialty Food Magazine were there.
For a sampling of coverage, go to the Summer Fancy Food Show In the News Page.
Show Highlights:
- Opening Ceremony presenting donation to Operation Homefront DC Metro, a not-for profit organization that provides emergency financial assistance, food and housing to wounded veterans and families of service members.
- Visits from elected officials invited by the NASFT, including three U.S. Senators and close to 40 Congressional staff members, who attended the show to visit companies from their districts.What’s New, What’s Hot! a display with hundreds of on-trend exhibitor products representing the latest in gift, holiday and natural and organics.
- New Brands on the Shelf Pavilion drew crowds. This sold-out area featured 26 of the industry’s newest producers who showcased dozens of niche and artisan foods on table-top displays, including pasta sauce with ouzo, smoked sausage, and apple-pie kits. These companies are candidates for membership in the NASFT.
A-List Buyers Seeking New Products
If there’s one show for specialty food buyers to attend all year, it’s the Summer Fancy Food Show, the largest marketplace for specialty foods and beverages in North America. This year’s show drew buyers from top names including Whole Foods, The Fresh Market, Crate & Barrel, Sam’s Club, Delta Airlines, Christmas Tree Shops, and such notable regional markets as Central Market, Di Bruno Bros., Hubbell & Hudson and Hyde Park Gourmet.
Contact Details
Contact Person:Louise Kramer
Telephone:（646）878-0130
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