Michelle McDonald, director of member and buyer relations at the Specialty Food Association, spoke with SFA News Daily about the programs and Show features that are geared toward buyers for the upcoming Winter Fancy Food Show.
Which buyers will be represented at the Show? There are so many fantastic buyers coming to the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show. I don’t want to focus on specific retailers since SFA values buyers from all retailers, as each plays a valuable role. We will have retailers from all channels represented at the Show, including, for the first time, the fuel convenience channel, along with a few large drug store retailers, which is very exciting. Additionally, Key Buyer registration is 15 percent higher for the 2023 Winter Show and with three weeks left for advanced registration the number of registered Key Buyers is sure to grow.
What is SFA’s Key Buyer program? The Key Buyer program is a benefit program for select retailers as well as buyer members of the SFA. The program provides these buyers with privileges such as complimentary Show badges, a dedicated registration/badge pick-up area, complimentary bag and coat check, early access to the Show floor, upgraded Show bag, access to the Key Buyer lounge (located on the Show floor), and the refreshments contained within. These buyers also have access to complimentary meeting rooms attached to the Key Buyer lounge. The Key Buyer meeting rooms can be reserved in advance, for any amount of time, including the entirety of the Show. Reservations for these rooms can be made directly with me. Other services provided for Key Buyers and buyer members is coordination and implementation of open-call exhibitor presentations for specific categories a retailer is interested in viewing products for, as well as concierge business builder events for retailers who would like to meet with a large variety of manufacturers that they aren’t currently doing business with.
What channels of trade does it focus on? The program falls across all retailing channels. While all retailers who attend Fancy Food Show are important, I’m currently focused on several specific retail channels to grow SFA’s engagement and presence such as club, national, regional, natural, convenience, drug, and discount retailers, as well as alternative channel/ecommerce retailers. These channels have a strong influence with consumers and, with the growth of specialty food products continuing to outpace conventional grocery, it is critical for SFA to further champion the importance of specialty foods with these various retail segments. Consumers today are much more knowledgeable about food and quality ingredients. They want better-for-you brands and specialty products have always been about quality ingredients, small batch, and artisanal processes, and why, as an organization, we want to help grow the presence of specialty within these channels.
What is the Hosted Buyer program? It’s an invitational program geared towards retail buyers who aren’t familiar with or who have had very limited involvement with SFA and the Fancy Food Shows. The growth of specialty foods continues to outpace the sale of conventional grocery items, and consumers look to purchase specialty products in almost all retail venues. Invitations are extended to buyers to attend the Fancy Food Shows as a guest of SFA so they can discover, taste, and learn firsthand about the vast array of innovative, quality products SFA exhibiting members produce. Specialty food products provide an ideal way for mainstream retailers to grow sales and set themselves apart from their competition.
What are Meet Suites and how can they be booked? The Meet Suites are dedicated meeting areas on the Show floor which are available to all exhibitors and attendees who need a place to hold a meeting. The spaces will consist of meeting pods, which provide more privacy, as well as high-top tables for those who simply need a quick spot to convene. Advanced booking is not necessary, any available pod or table can be used on the spot by signing in with the receptionist. Or, if preferred, an advanced reservation can be made with the Meet Suite receptionist for the specific day and time a meeting spot is required. For advanced reservations, stop by and see the receptionist anytime during Show hours.
Is there anything more you’d like to share? The upcoming 2023 Winter Show is going to be one of the best Winter Fancy Food shows to date. Anyone even remotely on the fence about attending should not hesitate any longer and plan to be at the Show. There is going to be so much to see and do, it would be a shame to miss out. Viva Las Vegas!
Related: NEW NOW NEXT to Feature Startup and Incubator Products; SFA Hosts Winter Fancy Food Show Booth Contest.