Give Your Customers a Taste for the World

This year, FMI Connect will help in a way it never has before as it introduces multiple new pavilions to the FMI Expo, providing you with contacts to not just international suppliers that will be at FMI Connect for the first time, but also state-specific pavilions where you’ll be able to find the exhibitors you want to meet in the most convenient, efficient way possible. As you work your way through the FMI Connect Expo, you will find pavilions with suppliers from around the world.

By: Margaret Core, Vice President, Industry Events, Food Marketing Institute <iframe width="400" height="240" align="right" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RLBqQRkuwuk" frameborder="0"></iframe> America’s taste for the rest of the world gets more sophisticated every day. Consumers now are experimenting with cuisines from regions and countries that their parents or grandparents would have turned their noses up at, if they even knew the cuisines existed. As retailers dedicated to serving customers’ insatiable desire to try something new, it’s important to assure that you can provide them the opportunity to experiment with the latest taste sensations. New & Expanded Country & State Pavilions in the <a href="http://www.fmiconnect.net/">FMI Connect Expo</a> This year, <a href="http://www.fmiconnect.net/">FMI Connect</a> will help in a way it never has before as it introduces multiple new pavilions to the FMI Expo, providing you with contacts to not just international suppliers that will be at <a href="http://www.fmiconnect.net/">FMI Connect</a> for the first time, but also state-specific pavilions where you’ll be able to find the exhibitors you want to meet in the most convenient, efficient way possible. As you work your way through the <a href="http://www.fmiconnect.net/">FMI Connect Expo</a>, you will find pavilions with suppliers from: <ul> <li>China</li> <li>Italy</li> <li>Mexico</li> <li>Thailand</li> <li>Quebec, Canada</li> <li>Illinois</li> <li>Michigan</li> </ul> You’ll learn how you can provide your customers with the international and regional cuisines they have come to expect – and possibly even break down some barriers as you do it. For instance, said Nelson Zhang of Fujian, China’s <a href="http://www.hktdc.com/">Huiyuan International Exhibitions</a> and organizer of this year’s China pavilion (Booths 3617-3723), “’Made in China’ is not the stereotype of low prices anymore, but of quality goods and resourceful products. As the huge market it is, China can cater to many, many different needs.” Also for the first time this year, attendees will be able to sample and experience the unique flavors and tastes of Greece that their customers have loved for some time when dining out and can now experiment with in their own kitchens. “Greek products – from extra virgin olive oil and olives to yogurts, nuts and sweets – are recognized worldwide,” said Alkis Kalabokis of <a href="http://www.greatexhibitions.gr/">GREAT Trade Exhibitions and Exports</a> (Booth 3910). “We plan to display samples of the very best we have to offer.” Returning and expanded this year, the Italian Trade Agency-Italian Trade Promotion Agency and its partners - the CIBUS International Food Exhibition, Federalimentare—The Italian Food & Drink Industry Federation, TUTTOFOOD and Vinitaly - will host more than 60 Italian companies showcasing authentic Italian products.  Among them will be companies like Riso Di Pasta Viazzo (Booth 1245) with its line of gourmet gluten-free pasta made from parboiled rice and Ragnoli (Booth 1438), which specializes in delicacies like marinated eel, fried whitebait, mackerel and sardines. Alinor (Booth 1146) will have its legendary organic dairy products like panna cotta, dairy cream and béchamel and Firma Italia (Booth 739) is just one of the many companies with a wide selection of Italian sauces and pastas. And that’s not all: <ul> <li>At the <a href="http://www.cherrycentral.com/">Cherry Central Cooperative</a> (Booth 710), you’ll sample the finest and sweetest cherries the state of Michigan produces, along with cranberries, pomegranates and asparagus grown on farms across the state.</li> <li><a href="http://www.vitafoodproducts.com/">Vita Food Products</a> (Booth 518) will bring you fish and seafood products only available from producers in the state of Illinois – like olive oil-poached herring, raspberry shrimp wraps and salmon with lemon dill butter.</li> <li>Back again, as well, will be the very popular Italy pavilion with exhibitors like <a href="http://www.terradeltuono.com/">Acetaia Terra del Tuna</a> (Booth 3627) and its seasonings such as its unique balsamic vinegar from the Emilia-Romagna region.</li> </ul> Finally, remember, these exciting exhibitors are not just available to you in the <a href="http://www.fmiconnect.net/">FMI Expo</a>. Arrange in advance for one-to-one meetings with all of them in the <a href="http://www.fmiconnect.net/2016/do-business/connect-business-exchange">Connect Business Exchange (CBX)</a> before the show even opens.

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