Future Shows
2008 May 6-8 Las Vegas |
| |
CONTENTS:
FEATURE: Thank you Orlando and Hello Las Vegas in 2008!
Gourmet Gold Winners: Honoring Excellence
GOOD REP: Linda Sovner, owner, Tomlin Marketing, Wilmington, Vermont
|
 |
| Have Fun with Zak! |
That's just what Zak Designs did in their annual Gourmet Housewares Show competition, which let retailers show off some hidden culinary skills during their event at the Culinary Center. It was the second year Zak hosted this event, which had contestants facing off in some rather unusual circumstances.
For instance, a garlic peeler race determined who could peel the most cloves of garlic in 30 seconds, using Zak’s E-Z Roll garlic peeler. In the Secret Sundae- making contest, blindfolded, glove-wearing competitors had to build ice cream confections out of an assortment of mystery ingredients (choices included chocolate syrup or mayonnaise, sprinkles or rice, nuts or bacon bits, whipped cream or spray cheese, and cherries or olives) using Zak's Gemini Ice Cream Bowls. And then there was the Top Juicer contest which answered the age old question: Who can juice the most Florida oranges in 30 seconds? using Zak's citrus reamer and Royal VKB's Mix & Measure Bowls.
Amy Stoltz, Zak Design’s global marketing manager says the fun represents the company’s style. “We had repeat participants from last year. They couldn’t wait to see what we’d do this year,” she says. “Plus it is a great way to introduce our colorful collection of dinnerware, kitchen prep and party items to retailers in a fresh format.”
Over at the Viking Culinary Center a number of top chefs cooked up demonstrations even better than those you see on TV.
Ming Tsai got busy teaching a class.
Rocco DiSpirito called for volunteers during his demonstration.
Rocco's fans approve of the tasty results.
 Chef Homaro Cantu showed off the high-tech side of the kitchen.
|
| |
|
As always, finishing up the three-day Show that you and your staff have worked on for over a year is a bittersweet thing. We meet so many good people in putting together each event -- and we were especially happy to welcome all the new faces from the Southeastern U.S. to this year's Orlando location. We also had much fun with the spirit shown by the good folks at Zak Designs who held their annual retail competition, and the energy generated by chefs like Ming Tsai, Rocco DiSpirito, Homaro Cantu and Danny Mellman in our Culinary Center.
But now, we’re deep into planning next year's show in Las Vegas, (May 6-8), and if you haven't been to that city lately, plan to join us for what will be a great time in that emerging culinary Mecca.
We hope to see you all there -- and especially our new friends from the Southeast.
Enjoy your summer,
Susan Corwin
vp and show manager
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| FEATURE: Thank you Orlando and Hello to Las Vegas in 2008! |
After the final booth had closed up shop at The Gourmet Housewares Show this year, attendees had viewed more than 1,000 lines, many featuring products being shown in the United States for the first time.
The Orlando location also brought in a number of retailers from the Southeastern United States, expanding the show's reach there. The move to Orlando – which was for one year only – provided a hefty boost in attendance from Southeast-based retailers and retailers in the Northeast.
Taylor Erkkinen, for instance, made the trip from Brooklyn, N.Y. "I love the Gourmet Housewares Show and the variety and quality of fresh products the Show delivered," says Erkkinen, owner of the newly opened retail store, The Brooklyn Kitchen. "The organized show format allowed me to perform comprehensive product comparisons. I felt I got the attention I deserved."
The Show also brought out some influential members of the consumer press. Liezel Munez Gunn, a contributing writer for O and O at Home, says after touring the show floor she "ended up submitting a little over 40 products for editorial consideration for O and O at Home magazines." She'll be back she says. "I really like the show and am looking forward to covering it next year in Las Vegas."
And exhibitor Donna Hadjipopov of Bulgar, plans to be back as well, after her colorful Bulgarian-made pottery was such a hit. "I've got a big order that made the whole show worthwhile," she says. "And, I've got some new clients in the Northeast that I might not have found elsewhere."
Hadjipopov says two promotional opportunities -- The Gourmet Walk and The Gourmet Gold Awards display -- sponsored by show management, helped drive traffic to her booth. "Quite a few buyers told me they appreciated the fact that they were able to find new products/ companies that they might have missed at a larger show. We definitely made strong connections with the right kind of customer."
|
|
| |
|
| |
| Gourmet Gold Winners: Honoring Excellence |
Competition is heating up in the Gourmet Gold awards: entries were up 75 percent over the previous year as judges reviewed more than 127 products.
The awards honor the Show's breakthrough culinary products.
The panel of judges from the trade and consumer press were charged with awarding prizes in five categories along with a “Best in Show” award. And the winners were:
Cookware/Bakeware: B/R/K of Germany represented by Kitchen Resource, for the Pressure Cooking System
Kitchen Electrics: Zojirushi for the Rizo Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer
Gadgets, Cutlery and Accessories: Fusionbrands, represented by Harold Imports for the Poach Pod
Gourmet Gifts and Specialty Food: Real Chef for Flavor Magic
Tabletop and Textiles: Zak Designs for Confetti Dinnerware
Best in Show: Seasoned Palate for the TSP Spices
The winners were announced at the show's Opening Night Party, which doubled as a fundraiser for the anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength, raising more than $10,000 for that organization
|
| |
| |
Good Rep:
Linda Sovner, owner, Tomlin Marketing, Wilmington, Vermont |
Her vendors and retail customers say they appreciate the personal touch Linda brings to their business, and that she is always there with great advice. Sovner, just back from The Gourmet Housewares Show in Orlando, talks with Gourmet 365 about why she attends trade shows.
GOURMET 365: Why make the trip? As a rep what do you do as follow-up to attending the Show?
L.S. "During the show I immerse myself in product. My retailers don't make appointments with me during the Show because they know they will see me later on. I learn about the programs available that season so I can put together packages for my retail customers," she says. "It is important to me to see everything and touch everything so that when I go to my stores I know what is appropriate for them and can talk about the product."
GOURMET 365: How do you see the rep's function for a retailer?
L.S. "To understand accounts and what they are doing so you can help them make appropriate choices -- that's the most important thing. While the account has to understand their business, I also need to understand what they are doing to represent what is good for them."
GOURMET 365: What advice do you give retailers when you return from a Show?
LS: "When I meet with them after the Show I try to represent my vendors and give the retailers the vendor information again -- there's so much to see that they can forget about certain products until we sit down and talk about it. I make sure they have the right catalogs and that we are very specific about what my lines are doing for the next season."
Gourmet 365: What did you see during the Gourmet Housewares Show?
L.S. "I looked for trends, especially at the pottery and tabletop booths, to get a feel for what's happening in color. It's important for me to know about trends in the overall market, not just my lines. I love pottery for Gourmet Stores, but the handmade kind, not the stuff that’s mass produced overseas. Gourmet stores have to distinguish themselves with something different, and that's what the Gourmet Housewares Show has always been known for providing." |
|
| |
|
|
What Are Your Hot Topics? If you’d like us to address your specific concerns let us know by giving me a call at 207-799-3473 or e-mailing me at thyra_porter@glmshows.com
Thyra Porter, editor, Gourmet 365 |
| |
To register, or for the most up-to-date info, please visit www.thegourmetshow.com
|
|
