NASDA'S USA PAVILION AT THE 11TH AMERICAS FOOD & BEVERAGE SHOW A SUCCESS

News Date October 20, 2008

       The 11th America's Food & Beverage show--the only food trade event dedicated to trade within the Western Hemisphere--took place from September 24 to 26 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.  Featuring national pavilions from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Caribbean, Italy, Canada, and the United States, the event showcased hundreds of food products for food service and retail applications.
       This year's show highlights included a new Florida pavilion, a reception that was hosted for FAS-sponsored buyers, a new products showcase, the annual chefs' competition, and the food & beverage awards ceremony which recognized exhibitors showing outstanding products. These highlighted events allowed industry leaders to explore new ideas on food preparation and display, and gave them the opportunity to preview items that consumers from their countries will want to see on the shelves of their grocery stores or on their plates at their favorite restaurants.
       This one-of-a-kind food show generates a buzz among the industry because the region it covers boasts a selection of traditional commodities, along with fresh, new products that have recently emerged in the marketplace. The 5,868 attendees from 87 countries saw a wide range of products including baked goods, ethic foods, dairy products, meat, poultry and seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, and organic and natural health foods.
       In addition to the exhibits and new products displays, the Americas Food and Beverage show featured seminars and meetings about better servicing and packaging products, computer systems to track inventory and production, processing, warehousing, and other subjects affecting the food industry. 
       Sponsored by NASDA and the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), USA Pavilion exhibitors included the Illinois, Louisiana, Georgia, and Minnesota departments of agriculture, enterprise Florida, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA), and the U.S. Meat Export
       The 2009 Americas Food & Beverage Show featuring the USA Pavilion will be held next November 9 to 10 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.  This is a great opportunity for U.S. companies to explore and expand trade opportunities in the lucrative Caribbean, Central American, and South American markets.  (Contact DeWitt Ashby or Megan McDonald)