SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE, USA — Early feedback on the latest installment of FirstSource: Foodservice Seafood is overwhelmingly positive. Buyers and vendors spent three days discussing products, needs, trends, commodity forecasts and exploring opportunities to work together. Buyers used this time to understand new products available and to build networks with others in their category and channel, and vendors spent time learning the diverse needs of the marketplace, while offering innovative products to buyers.
"It would take weeks to get one-on-one meetings with all these companies, to get product in, [and] coordinate with the chef."
–Tony Drane, Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., Corporate Director, F&B Sourcing
"We sat down and asked buyers, well what do you want? Which is something they don't have time to do when they're in the office, to go into the details… And at FirstSource they have time to sit down, relax and open up, to say this is what we have that is good already, and this is what we have that we wish to do better. They have time to tell us their story."
–Damien Claire, Analyst, South Pacific Specialties
The activities involved closed-door vendor presentations, icebreakers, personalized product sampling and various formal and informal networking opportunities.
The event included a bit of local culture with a trip to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the historic Woodford Reserve Distillery, where buyers and vendors mingled over dinner and an on-site tour of the 200 year-old facility.
Publisher Urner Barry held a special informational session, open to all attendees, on forecasting and seafood commodity trends. The company also took part in several of the individual sessions and events.
Next Foodservice Seafood Event Scheduled for 2014 in Dallas
FirstSource is already signing up participants for next year's FirstSource: Foodservice Seafood event. This event is slated for Nov. 11-13, 2014 at the Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott.
For more information about the FirstSource: Foodservice Seafood 14 event, contact:
Brian Perkins, Event Director, (207) 799-1356, bperkins@FirstSourceEvents.com
Hilary Manning, Foodservice Recruitment Director, (207) 372-06668, hmanning@FirstSourceEvents.com
For a full list of foodservice and retail events, visit www.FirstSourceEvents.com.
More Information About FirstSource Events
FirstSource Events is now in its fourth year, and is run by an experienced team of event professionals with a wealth of perishable and retail industry experience. The team brings exceptional experience in event sales, marketing, operations, and innovation, and is committed to delivering powerful, attendee-driven, vertically integrated events that are highly efficient sourcing opportunities for buyers and vendors.
For information on FirstSource visit www.FirstSourceEvents.com.
Source: FirstSource Events