2009 MIAMI SHOW A BIG HIT WITH WESTERN HEMISPHERE BUYERS

News Date December 15, 2009

The recently concluded (November 9-10), 12th annual Americas Food & Beverage Show is the only trade show focused on food trade within the Western Hemisphere. 

Exhibitors in NASDA’s USA pavilion collected valuable information and met new business prospects at the 12th edition of the Americas Food & Beverage show.

A wide variety of fresh, new products from the U.S., Brazil, Canada generated show floor “buzz” as attendees from 87 countries saw and sampled from a plethora of products including bakery, ethnic, dairy, meat, poultry, seafood, beverages, organic and natural, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

While the smallest of NASDA’s three domestic export events, the U.S. Pavilion at the AFB event succeeds through its regional focus and strong exhibitor preparation.  According to Jonathan Martinez, from the Foreign Agricultural Service’s office in Caracas, “The buyers from Venezuela said they appreciate how well the US exhibitors understand the Latin America market and culture. Having knowledge on how the culture affects the market is crucial when selling to this clientele.”

2009 show highlights included an extensive slate of pre-arranged meetings for U.S. exhibitors focused on meeting key contacts from the Caribbean, Central and South American markets. 

Other highlights of the show were a new products showcase, the annual chefs' competition, and the food & beverage awards ceremony, which recognized exhibitors showing outstanding products. These events allow 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.

In addition to the exhibits, new products displays, and the one-on-one meetings between buyers and suppliers, the show featured seminars and meetings about better servicing and packaging products to maximize profit in a down economy, computer systems to track inventory and production, 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 Federation.

The 2010 Americas Food & Beverage Show featuring the USA Pavilion will be held October 26-27 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 Ashbyor Megan McDonald)