Portland, Maine — Diversified Business Communications, a US-headquartered international trade show, publishing and eMedia company, announced the success of their recent co-location of the International Boston Seafood Show (IBSS) and the New England Food Show (NEFS). The event brought over 26,000 food professionals to Boston from March 14 – 16th.
“Diversified’s mission is to deliver events that provide context, build communities and drive business,” commented Nancy Hasselback, CEO and President of Diversified Communications, “The co-location was an obvious way to provide additional value to both our attendees and exhibitors.”
When asked about the value of the co-location, NEFS exhibitor Dave Cooper, owner of Dere Street Bakery, had an enthusiastic response, “Because of the co-location, I was able to meet representatives from large supermarket chains, mid size grocery retailers, specialty food stores, large universities and foodservice distributors who previously did not carry my product. In past years exhibiting, I would meet with buyers of foodservice products only. Not many shows attract both retail and foodservice audiences. It is a great strategy.”
Other exhibitors agreed with the new strategy. The New England Food Show, which is sponsored by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, had one of its highest re-sign rates in its 29 year history. The event’s roots are based in bringing buyers and sellers together in the foodservice industry in New England. In recognition of the emerging trend of exhibitors supplying the foodservice and retail industry, the event now serves both these communities.
TheInternational Boston Seafood Show is North America’s largest seafood exposition and has been held in Boston since 1982. Each year, it brings together key seafood buyers in the foodservice, retail and distribution channels from over 90 countries. IBSS is sponsored by its sister publication, SeaFood Business magazine, and the National Fisheries Institute.
The co-location provided an additional value for the IBSS buyer. While the focus of the IBSS attendee is seafood, many expressed the benefit of broader exposure to foodservice and retail food products and equipment outside of the seafood industry.
One of IBSS’s high volume chain restaurant buyers commented, “The co-location was great. I visited all the produce exhibitors at the New England Food Show and found an excellent supplier of roasted tomatoes.”
Diversified ensured the delivery of quality buyers at both events by qualifying the attendees who would have access to both show floors. The strategy was successful. One IBSS exhibitor commented that he believed a whole new source of prospects opened up to him with the co-location.
The International Boston Seafood Show and the New England Food Show will be collocated again next year in Boston from March 20 – 22, 2011.