Family Winemakers of California Tasting in San Diego is TODAY!

The best perk of working in the wine industry? Tastings!

I love being in a room full of people who share my passion for wine. And it is not often that you get the opportunity to meet so many winemakers face to face!

If you live in Southern California and have no plans for this beautiful Sunday, the Family Winemakers of California are hosting their second tasting today in Del Mar, San Diego. I was lucky enough to attend the tasting in 2009 and had an amazing time. I encourage anyone who lives in the area to go. If you are busy today, there is a tasting in Pasadena coming up!

Dubbed “The San Diego ‘Tasting 2010’, this event is the region’s largest California wine tasting and is an excellent opportunity for wine buying trade and wine enthusiasts to taste and explore award-winning wines from some of California’s finest winemakers.

 

The event will be open to qualified members of the wine buying trade from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and will be open to both trade and general public from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Tickets for the general public are $45 in advance and $55 at the door. For those who would like to get a head start, a complete list of wineries is available on www.familywinemakers.org.

 

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.familywinemakers.org. For any questions regarding “Tasting 2010,” contact tasting@familywinemakers.org. No one under 21, including infants, will be admitted to the tasting.

 

ABOUT THE FAMILY WINEMAKERS OF CALIFORNIA

 

Family Winemakers of California was established in 1991 in response to a need for public policy legislation for the small wine producers of California. The Association has become a strong force in the wine industry, lobbying for wine producer rights, and has an active membership of over 600 California wineries. Family Winemakers draws its membership from all the wine producing areas of the state, with the largest concentration coming from Napa and Sonoma Counties.

 

Family Winemakers trade tastings, held in San Francisco since 1991 and in Southern California since 2000, are well known in the industry for the quantity and quality of the participating wineries.  The tastings give members of the trade the opportunity to get to know wineries from all over the state, the well known and the unknown, the big and, especially, the small, all in one place at one time. Family Winemakers will follow the Del Mar event with its 11^th annual trade only tasting in Pasadena on Tuesday, March 16. 

 

I would like to say thank you in advance to the sponsors of this wonderful event:Bremmer Biscuit, First Republic Bank, Golden State Overnight, StaVin, WW Shipping Solutions, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Nestle Water and Dining Out Magazine.

 

I hope to see you there.

Leaving MACEF: Final Thoughts

By: Nancy Krabill


Italians do things differently; but then we knew that. What’s interesting is learning how many things are different, in so many ways. At this show, I’m impressed with the willingness to experiment, comfort with change and in taking a chance. These are not qualities that you normally associate with traditional Italy, but if you stick with that paradigm and you lose out.

Addressing the realities of the changing retail environment head-on, MACEF did the following:
. Reached out to small companies using “incubator projects” that allowed them to experiment with exhibiting at a large trade show at a reduced cost.
. Tapped the talents of set designer Anna Congiu to create two thematic displays “The Infinite Time of Food” and “Stories Around the Table” in areas that might have otherwise stood vacant. Using products from the show arranged in a whimsical manner, these areas stopped shoppers in their tracks and caused us to reflect, seeing new possibilities for the items on display.
. Focused on Italy’s core artisanal base. While items from China certainly carry a lower price point, consumers are increasingly interested in the stories and the people that make the products they place in their homes. Will that cause them to spend more money to buy the products, or is this just curiosity? Time will tell, but here at the “Made in Italy” area, a justifiably proud focus on Italy’s artistic past and potential for the future seemed the heart of the show. A dramatic diagonal heart-shaped walkway cut through the large exhibit and fairly pulsed with white light and energy.
. Created interactive, if sometimes messy “Made in Macef” activities at the entrance to the fair. These included a bakery, free internet, a “chill out” area with hammocks on wheels, and a chrome foosball table. I’m not sure it created the sense of community for which it aimed, but it was certainly a nice diversion and a very useful area. Also after hours, buyers, exhibitors, and professionals were invited to interact in discussion sessions together on topics such as innovative materials, technology, lifestyles, and the changing definition of the home.

Some things worked a little less well. The “US Home Style” exibits that I saw scattered in several areas consisted primarily of cleaning products and gadgetry, causing one to wonder if we have no “US home style” at this time. Also, the “Flexible Store” exhibit that was part of the “Crisis as an Opportunity, Flexibility as a Condition” conference was engaging, but lacking in impact. A neon “green” carpet drew you in to a large multi-media cube with four life-size videos on display concurrently. After an interesting start, the message was a little mundane: get some new products, have sales that don’t look desperate, and target new markets. Okay.

But, here’s the thing. In the American markets, we’re trying to look cheery, while at the same time hunkering down and waiting for things to get back to “normal”. Inside, we know that “normal” might look very different a few years from now. At MACEF, I appreciated the upfront acceptance of these hard times and the energy spent in encouraging new ways of doing business. Rather than drifting through display after display, worrying about price points and merchandising tactics I felt I learned something new. Will that translate into hard dollar sales? Time will tell. Maybe so, just maybe so.

Pictured above: A great product that exemplifies a tradeshow pitfall. I love this thing. It’s colorful, versatile, can be used to prop open windows or doors. We need a doorstop for the store, and I brought home a spunky blue one. The owners are young and interesting, and going to the Housewares Show in Chicago. I told them I thought that was great, but then started thinking. Do Americans have windows that open out? Noooooooo. When we do open them, they open up, and only the broken ones need a stop. Do we open our doors? Well, yes, at the store on nice days, but at home? With the bugs? I don’t think so! So I love this thing, and wish the owners the best. Maybe it will generate tons of interest in our doorway and we’ll end up selling them. But for the moment, I’ve avoided the trap of “trade show infatuation.” Gary can breate a sigh of relief.

MACEF International Home Show: Buying From the Right Side of the Brain

By: Nancy Krabill

I’ve got a new attitude. Yesterday I began by searching for new products for the store with a migrane-like tunnel vision. Later, I pulled back and focused less on the products themselves and more on the skills and intent behind them. I skipped over booths with cute, but mass-produced goods (after all, it’s a shorter, less expensive distance from China directly to the US than from China to Italy to the US).

Instead, I visited a hall dedicated to “Made in Italy” and did a little “right brain” shopping. (For those of you who weren’t around or aware in the ’80’s, Ned Hermann came up with a popular theory that said our brain has an analytical “left” side and a creative “right” side, with the idea that the more we integrate the two thought styles, the better off we are.) I looked at the products as art, rather than evaluating in the context of whether they would fit in our store. I met the producers and owners, who were mostly here at the show, practiced my Italian while they practiced their English, and learned their stories.

This is working for me, right now, in this time. Thinking back on our “killer app” (to borrow a term from my tech days) products that we’ve had in the store, the ones that sold out quickly, they were all surprises. Two good examples are The Wine Clip and Lazy Susans from Vintage at Heart. We didn’t find them in the usual places, they didn’t really “fit”, but we tried them out and they continue to be strong sellers today.

So, in this moment, here and now, I’m taking a step back and opening my mind to the creativity on display here. I’m stopping to visit the exhibits intentionally assembled by MACEF to help new young designers and artisans. And maybe, just maybe, if I don’t think about it too hard, out of the corner of my eye, I’ll catch a glimpse of something really special.

Pictured above: Left, handpainted scarves and “barberi” (wooden balls used to choose who’s up first at the Palio) from Siena. Right, a jeweler from Sardegna crafts tiny villages piece from piece out of rock, and decorates with silver jewels.

MACEF International Home Show: First Thoughts

By: Nancy Krabill

Fiera Milano is one of the best trade show spaces ever. Eschewing the view that buyers need to be sequestered indoors with little light and air, a la Las Vegas, Fiera Milano instead consists of an outdoors central Corso Italiano lined with blocky buildings on both sides. Contrary to that other viewpoint, the opportunity to walk outside between buildings provides a bit of a rest and energy, a change from the usual “show fatigue”. The sunny Corso is lined with cafes, benches, WiFi points, and is framed by swooping glass and steel decor, so Milano-modern.

I’m here to get a fresh look at trends, at this intersection of my old love: traditional majoliche ceramics, and the ever-fashionable contemporary “new” of Milano. I’m looking for a next great thing (aren’t we all?), something that will take customers from passive comments like “isn’t that cute/sweet/pretty” to “I’ve got the perfect place for this at home. I’ll take two!”. We’re in a communal funk here in the US, a funk with overtones of puritan virtue, that is justified on many levels. So, out of all these products, which ones set the right tone, are useful or exciting or virtuous? Where is the ball on this roulette wheel going to settle? What is that next new thing?

Gourmet Show Tips

With the August 8-10 Gourmet Housewares Show opening this weekend, exhibitors are crossing their fingers to discover how they fare in the Gourmet Golds competition. Selecting judges from top industry publications – including The Gourmet Retailer  - ensures that the winners in each category are truly the best of the best.

Gourmet Housewares Show exhibitors have been submitting new products introduced to the trade market between March and August of 2009. All submissions undergo a prescreening process and the finest products are selected for the Gourmet Golds Display.

Drawing from upwards of 100 entries the judges will have their work cut out for them. Selecting the top three in each of the following divisions: Cookware/ Bakeware, Kitchen Electrics, Gadgets, Cutlery, Accessories, Tabletop & Textiles, Gourmet Gifts & Specialty Foods, and Green by Design. In addition, a Best of Show Award will go to the one entry with the highest overall score.

Here are some highlights from the upcoming show:

Greystone Brand, Wine Things Unlimited, will be
expanding their collegiate collection of glassware, plates
and wine charms at the 2009 Gourmet Housewares
Show. Sure to be a favorite is the unique Party Plate-
designed to hold both food and a wine glass with just one
hand. Non breakable and dishwasher safe, the party plate
is a great addition to any gathering.

 

New for Fall 2009, the iSi North America Creative Whip is a multifunctional tool for today's imaginative home chefs. Replacing the need for a hand beater, emersion blender, stand mixer, frother, whisk and any other kitchen tool designed for beating and incorporating air into other ingredients, the Creative Whip is a handy tool that meets any chefs needs. Show attendees will be able to indulge in some sweet and savory Espumas (the Spanish word for foam or mousse) being served up by local Chef Frank De Luna from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Totally Bamboo will be launching new products at the Gourmet Housewares Show, one of which has been accepted into the Gourmet Golds competition under the "Green by Design" criteria. Totally Bamboo introduced  the world's first dishwasher safe cutting board GreenLite series.  At the Show they will present the latest addition to this series - the GreenLite Pizza Peel.  It's a classic made even better because it's bamboo, lightweight and dishwasher safe.

The Rice Plus Multi-Cooker with Fuzzy Logic Technology by Cuisinart features pre-programmed menu options, a 24-hour programmable finish time and an automatic "Keep Warm" setting that activates after cooking is complete.  One of the Multi-Cooker's most distinctive benefits is Fuzzy Logic Technology, which is comprised of a built in "brain" that senses fluctuations in cooking and automatically adjusts operation to ensure perfect results every time.   In addition, the unit has Quick Cooking and Reheat functions, making it one of the most versatile pieces of kitchen equipment a home cook can possess.

Centered in the culinary capitol of the US, the Gourmet Housewares Show in San Francisco continues to attract top of the line exhibitors and smart retailers looking for the best the gourmet industry has to offer.   Please visit www.thegourmetshow.com for additional updates and more detailed information.

Last Chance!

Gourmet Retailer Magazine, the leading voice for specialty food and kitchenware retailers, educational conference Retail 2020:  Surging Ahead in Challenging Times opens tomorrow with a welcome reception sponsored by Fortessa/Schott Zwiesel.

 

This intensive 3-day conference, which is designed to help retailers thrive in difficult times, will be held at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco from August 4 – 6, just prior to the Gourmet Housewares Show. Specialty independent retailers and industry experts will meet in a retreat environment to discuss the nuts-and-bolts strategies for maintaining growth and profitability and a culture of fun and customer service.

Featured speakers, including consumer guru Phil Lempert, and Joe Wheeler, co-author of The Ownership Quotient, will provide the vision and tools as independent retailers listen and share business successes.  Panel discussions include The Perfect Storm:  Solutions for Today’s Challenges, featuring industry experts from Bill Snyder, President of William Glen inSacramento, Calif.and Larry Uhl, President of West Point Market, Akron, Ohio. Registration is still open at www.Retail2020.net.  You can also come to the Bently Reserve at 3301 Battery Street in San Francisco and register on-site. Registration opens at 2 p.m.

San Fran Fun

The Gourmet Housewares Show® co-location with the summer San Francisco International Gift Fair® and the collaboration with the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, SF Chefs, Food, Wine. Event, are not the only perks of the August 8-10 Show. Adding to the excitement is a partnership formed between the Gourmet Housewares Show and the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau with the Show Your Badge program, providing market attendees with exclusive benefits at local San Francisco businesses. 
 
As part of the initiative, attendees and exhibitors will receive discounts at hundreds of surrounding retailers, restaurants, museums and more by displaying their Show badge upon entry. A list of contributing Bureau members taking part in the program will be posted online at www.OnlyInSanFrancisco.com.  Additional participants will be added up until the Show's opening, with a complete list available onsite.
 
Located in the North Hall of the Moscone Center, the Gourmet Housewares Show announced 25% of the exhibitors are brand new to the Show. At the same time, the San Francisco International Gift Fair will be thriving in the South Hall taking cues from the city of San Francisco itself. The SFIGF will create an unforgettable market destination with a variety of unique resources for the gourmet industry  --- products with distinctive creativity and trend-defining innovation. This exciting collocation will provide an unparalleled opportunity for kitchenware retailers.

Here's a highlight of a few innovative products making their way to the show:

From Tuttle Publishing comes The Asian Barbecue Book is perfect for barbecue enthusiasts looking for exciting new ingredients and techniques to create that perfect hot-off-the-flame meal. It is full of rich, smoky and meaty barbecue dishes, including classic Asian recipes such as Indonesian Satay, Korean Barbecue and Persian Shish Kebabs—and new favorites like Chicken Wings with Hoisin Honey Marinade, Beef Short Ribs with Teriyaki Glazing and Salmon Filet with Miso Marinade. Introductory sections include barbecuing fundamentals—essential for beginners and a great review for more experienced grillers—as well as dozens of recipes for Asian rubs, glazes, marinades, basting sauces and condiments to liven up your grill and table. Complete with sides, salads and desserts, this treasury of Asian barbecue recipes will be a resource for years to come. Alex Skaria is a master griller and expert in all styles of Asian barbecue. A world traveler, he has been collecting, testing and perfecting recipes from around Asia for more than two decades. He lives in
Bangkok with his family.

Puttin On The Pizzelles! The Chef’sChoice® PizzellePro™ Model 834 bakes two thin traditional sized (4¾) delicious and delicate pizzelles in less than 30 seconds. Makes perfect size pizzelles for cannolis too. Featuring a baking indicator light and consistent even heating for perfect baking, it’s always ready to bake with instant temperature recovery and non-stick easy release coating. MSRP $49.99.

Wonderful Waffles: Prepare the world’s most delicious classic Belgian waffles in 90 Seconds™ with the revolutionary Chef’sChoice® WafflePro® newly-styled with elegant ribbed top. The unique Quad® Baking System allows you to choose either a fast or deep bake and you select the ideal flavor, texture and color.  This professional, heavy duty unit offers “waffle ready” beeper and lights, non-stick deep channel griddle, an easy clean overflow channel and space saving upright storage. Available in 5 of Hearts too! MSRP $59.99.

Known for its expansive line of innovatively designed, gourmet tea and coffee brewing products, BonJour introduces a new Teakettle and Lucie Unbreakable French Press Coffee Maker at the 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California (August 8 – 10).  BonJour’s booth number is 3547. The new traditional style, 2-quart-capacity BonJour Teakettle features a gleaming, highly polished stainless steel body with a fast-heating copper metal base that is designed with a distinctive European flair. The Teakettle’s shapely black handle is made of soft Santoprene rubber, which provides a comfortable slip-free grip, and makes it easier to lift from the stove.  BonJour’s high performance, beautifully designed Teakettle adds a chic touch to all kitchen decors and looks especially elegant perched on top of stainless steel and on-trend bronze-hued, pro-style ranges.  BonJour’s new Teakettle is priced at $59.99 suggested retail.

Take the lid off with the Deluxe Gripper Jar Opener from Kuhn Rikon, a new tool with wide sales appeal.  Functional and easy to use, it makes struggling to open jars a thing of the past.The patented design gives anyone the leverage and strength to open nearly any jar, from cocktail olives and pickles to pasta sauce, jelly jars and even twist-top bottles of wine. The Deluxe Gripper Jar Opener works for any sized threaded lid from one to four inches, and is also highly effective in opening smooth-sided or grooved caps. This easy-to-use tool is the ideal choice for anyone, young or old, who wants to make everyday life in the kitchen just a bit easier. The effortless functionality even gives the elderly, or those with arthritis, the ability to perform this everyday task without strain or frustration. The Deluxe Gripper Jar Opener has a suggested retail price of $20. It will be available for shipment, September 2009.Visit Kuhn Rikon booth #4061 at the 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show in August.

 

New PepArt Torch Mills from William Bounds Ltd. are designed for sea salt or peppercorn and feature a gently tapered brushed steel body topped off with decoratively colored tops. The new mills are part of the PepArt collection of art for the table, designed exclusively for William Bounds by artist Robert Wilhelm. This is the first mixed material PepArt design that combines painted wooden tops with metal bodies.Four eye-catching styles include black with white dots, yellow with red dots, red with black stripes and brown with black stripes.  Each comes in two sizes: 9-inch and 12-inch.  Coordinate the styles or mix and match one for pepper and another for salt, for creative personalization of your table setting or kitchen counter. In addition to high style, PepArt Torch Mills feature the exclusive William Bounds high-output ceramic milling mechanism that crushes ingredients rather than grinding them. The result is a more durable mill and greater output of freshly ground flavor. The three-step adjustment dial located at the top of the mill allows the user to select fine, medium or coarse grinds. PepArt Torch Mills have suggested retail prices of $40 for the 9-inch and $50 for the 12-inch. They are available for immediate shipment. Visit the William Bounds booth #3371.

Please visit www.thegourmetshow.com for additional updates and more detailed information.

GHS Show Tips

The countdown continues. The 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show is right around the corner. And we're continuing to showcasing products that are ready to inspire you for your fourth quarter sales and 2010 inventory. Here's a highlight of a few innovative products making their way to the show:

Harold Import Company (HIC) will showcase a wealth of product at The Gourmet Housewares Show. Including the designers of the award-winning World’s Greatest Potato Masher present The Ultimate Rapid Whisk. The stainless steel double-spring whisk suspended inside the silicone-coated double-wire whisk incorporates more air with every stroke. Whips faster and more efficiently. Silicone coating prevents scratched stainless steel bowls and cookware. Easy to clean. Dishwasher safe. SRP$  8.99.

 

Meyer gets cooking with Circulon® Contempo, a new collection with modern styling. Marking the brand’s 25th anniversary, which officially begins in 2010, Circulon Contempo will be unveiled at the 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California (August 8-10).  Meyer’s booth number is 3547. Constructed of highly durable, professional heavy gauge hard-anodized aluminum, a material that is twice as hard as stainless steel, Circulon Contempo provides fast and even heating and eliminate hot spots for perfect cooking results every time. Designed with a youthful eye and contemporary sensibility, new Circulon Contempo features stylish, ergonomically designed handles and lids that are double riveted to prevent loosening.  The sleek and comfortable stainless steel and black silicone handles provide a secure, slip-free grasp.
 

People are spending more time at home, cooking and entertaining in their own kitchens – and having fun doing it. Many are taking the opportunity to practice and perfect their culinary skills to impress their friends and family. Buyers looking to tap into these trends will be thrilled with the new products that will be available at the Leifheit International USA booth (North Hall 3853) at the Gourmet Housewares Show in San Francisco, Aug. 8-10, 2009. Leifheit USA has two new extensive lines of kitchen tools: the 29-piece Proline and 42-piece Comfortline. Both contain all the kitchen essentials – and more than a few luxury gadgets. (SMRP ranging from $6-50 per item).

For coffee lovers who are partial to the exceptionally rich, full-bodied flavor of coffee brewed in a French Press coffee maker, BonJour introduces the Lucie Unbreakable French Press in two sizes – a portable 3 Cup capacity model that’s travel-ready and perfect for single servings, and a larger 8 Cup size.  
As its name implies, the new Lucie Unbreakable French Press features a translucent, heat-resistant and highly durable polycarbonate carafe, which unlike glass, will not break and shatter if accidentally dropped.  A boon to anyone who might be a tad clumsy in the kitchen – particularly in the morning before the first cup of coffee – the new Lucie Unbreakable French Press is both sturdy and extraordinarily lightweight. Known for its expansive line of innovatively designed, gourmet tea and coffee brewing products, BonJour introduces a new Teakettle and Lucie Unbreakable French Press Coffee Maker at the 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California (August 8 – 10).  BonJour’s booth number is 3547. 

Sharpen In Any Language. Packaged in an elegant brushed metal casing, the Chef’sChoice® Diamond Hone® AngleSelect™ Model 1520 is the world’s most versatile sharpener designed to restore and recreate both, a 20 degree edge for European and American style knives and a 15 degree edge for Asian style knives. MSRP $199.99. Gourmet Housewares Booth 3571.

The Hurom is not a juicer or a blender. It is the only squeezer which makes an undiluted juice – juices maintain their natural color, taste and nutrition because the unit pushes slowly and extracts the juice without grinding. Hurom uses a patented squeeze technology instead of centrifugal method. It’s also the first soy juicer on the market and makes an undiluted juice and soybean oil. The system as an automatic cleaning system and has a quiet operation with an AC induction motor. The Hurom will debut at Retail 2020 and The Gourmet Houswares Show next month. For more information, Sky Kim ksky113@gmail.com or call 310-515-7107.

Visit www.thegourmetshow.com for additional updates and more detailed information.

Coming Soon!

The 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show is right around the corner. A range of familiar and new companies will debut their wares for retail during the August 8-10 Show in San Francisco.  From collections of high-end cutlery, practical kitchenware gadgets/accessories, and environmentally friendly cleaning products, the growing roster of small innovative companies is expected to create a valuable marketplace for retailers.

We'll be showcasing products that are ready to inspire you for your fourth quarter sales and 2010 inventory, so come back to TGRBlogBites.com each day to see what's new! Here's a highlight of a few innovative products making their way to the show:

 
A multipurpose accessory encouraging environmental responsibility, the g-Spout is a flexible removable spout and strainer that will make its debut in San Francisco. Originally created to increase awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death of women in the United States and other countries, g-Spout was developed to encourage people to pour off the fatty oils from their cooking.  Made of high temperature food grade silicone and microwave and dishwasher safe, the spout clips onto different sized containers to help pour.  It has the ability to withstand the rigors of the kitchen, craftsroom, garage, or workshop, allowing the g-Spout to be a practical tool to have around the home.

 
The Simple Wave, LLC. Cali Bowl™  is designed with an inward-curving lip the guarantees the food, dip or condiment will be scooped onto the utensil, chip, food item or back into the bowl preventing messy spillage. Better still, it discourages the unhygienic practice of double dipping and allows for the complete and total consumption of the bowl's contents leaving behind no remnants. The CaliBowl lineup consists of both BPA-free plastic and ceramic bowls, each coming in a variety of different colors, sizes and packages. Being introduced at the 2009 Gourmet Housewares Show is the new 12 cup mixing blow stack along with other non slip bowls convenient for any kitchen.

 

Two Lumps of Sugar is introducing new Thermal Picnic Totes and Inflatable Coolers, among others.
Thermal insulate picnic totes in 23 cotton coated fabric patterns that coordinate to many of other Two
Lumps of Sugar products. The bags keep food hot and cold and are perfect for any outdoor meal and
for transporting. The blow up coolers come equippedwith pump for easy inflation and deflation, making
cleanup and storage a breeze.
 

 
 
 
The Gourmet Housewares Show continues to attract new, innovative exhibitors that see the location and timing perfect for 4th quarter fill-in buying.  These additional collaborations will only add to the experience of the growing number of attendees. 
 
Visit www.thegourmetshow.com for additional updates and more detailed information.
 

Bite of Brazil

Brazil is the home of Carnaval, Traffic and, of course, Fispal Technologia & Fispal Food. This Expo,  now counting  its 25th anniversary, is the premier event of its type for South America. More than 2100 exhibitors and 60,000 attendees invade Anhembi Exhibition Hall in São Paulo.

A Rube Goldberg  wonderland, the space has gadgets and machinery around every corner. Robotic arms, vaccuum movers, preform bottle machines, all moving in a controlled race. Like those in the mind of a child,  these shiny, stainless, crazy contraptions can foil wrap pebble sized mints or fragile potato chips. Another machine with tubes and blowers transforms coarse corn meal into puffed corn nuggets, instantly. The clicking and clacking of the of these inventions playing  a mesmerizing tune. Hundreds of bottles are filled, capped, boxed and wrapped in a moment, while rolls of “ flex” are printed and stamped. Innovation and automation seems to be “de Riguer”, if it needs to  be boxed, wrapped, bottled, stamped or contained, you,ll find it at Fispal Technologia.

Not only is metal, plastic, corrogate other materials on display, support of machinery, marketing strategy seminars, advertisers, innovation workshops and discussion of “environmental awareness” was on parade. Here, they seem to be taking a very pragmatic approach to recycling and what it really means. “Being Green not Greenwashing”, as stated by Tim Corvin of Webb Scarlet de Vlam. To look at the big picture of operations, from start to finish, being economical, efficient and honest, while truly working towards sustainability. This type of educational program góes far beyond the Standard marketing “tips” garnered from most trade programs.

The Fispal Food event smaller in scale, but well attended. Chillers, ranges, pasta machines and fryers with coffee machines leading the pack. This show seemed more typical, with samples of ice cream, beer, frozen fish and candies. There were also many pizza ingredients, being that there are na average of 1,000,000 pizzas sold daily in São Paulo, population 16,000,000. They love there pizza and cheese. The flow was enhanced with many “action” events; the national pizza cook-off, Young chefs competition, the barristas competition and numerous choclate and pastry demos.

In this nation of great seafood, advanced aqua culture and incredible fruit, I would have liked to see more “fresh” exhibits.

The smooth operations, setup and organization of the Expo’s falls on Marco Antonio Mastrandonakis; a fortyish Brasilian, with an infectious laugh and casual style. Marco is the CEO of BTS, Brazilian Trade Shows, and with the help of his knowledgable staff, runs the shows and 5 large trade publications.

Though Marco and his crew seem to have their hands full, planning for the addition of two more shows to Fispal, I challenege them to take on the world, and bring all the great ingredients of Brazil out of South America. And show us all that Brazil is more than Carnaval and coffee.