Summer Fancy Food Show Largest Ever in New York City
July 8, 2016
The 2016 Summer Fancy Food Show was the largest in exhibit space since it was established in 1954. More than 2,670 exhibitors filled the halls of Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, with the latest in specialty food and beverages from across the U.S. and 55 countries.
Owned and produced by the Specialty Food Association, the show ran June 26-28. More than 47,000 specialty food professionals were in the exhibit halls, which spanned the equivalent of six football fields.
"The show is the place to be to discover the latest in specialty food and what's next for stores and restaurants," says Laura Santella-Saccone, the association's CMO. "Record sales for specialty food have contributed to the strength of our show."
Offerings were plentiful from Italy, the largest international exhibitor, and Tunisia — the show's official partner country sponsor — was front and center with olive oil, harissa, dates and many more North African specialties.
Here is some of what to watch for on store shelves as noticed in the packed exhibit halls by the Specialty Food Association's panel of trendspotters:
· "Everything bagel" is not just for bagels anymore. The flavor cropped up in yogurt, nut mix, mustard and hummus.
· New twists on classics included savory yogurt, spicy granola, chocolate chip hummus and pepper-packed honey.
· Coconut and pumpkin were everywhere, as was maple. Elderflower made a strong showing in teas and bottled drinks and pickled products were plentiful.
Show highlights included Shelf Showdown, a specialty food pitch competition where four first-time exhibitors presented their products to a panel of seasoned specialty food buyers.
The winner: lawyer turned farmer and meat entrepreneur James Faison of Milton's Local won a promotional package from the Specialty Food Association for his uncured bacon sausage.
The 2016 sofi Awards, the "Oscars" of the specialty food industry, were showcased at the show's opening night party and in special showcases. This year ,there were a record 3,200 entries, 28 winners and 100 finalists.
The show had a full education program with industry experts speaking on topics from how to get started in the specialty food business to a futurist panel looking at ideas that will change how we produce, sell and eat.
The event ended on a high note. Exhibitors donated more than 100,000 pounds of specialty food, enough to fill six tractor-trailers, to the Specialty Food Foundation, which in turn donated it to City Harvest, New York City's pioneering food rescue organization.
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.
Remodeled Guest Rooms
MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
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