Press Go!

Some show organizers and exhibitors realize that the media these days can make or break new brands. The press room was flawlessly run by The Specialty Food Association and I was handed a simple guide to show news, saving me tons of time. The shelves were well-stocked with some of the most creative press kits I’ve seen in ages. The organizers made covering the show easy as pie!

And, if you want to influence taste-makers, what better way than to give them a taste of their product before they head out on the show floor. Companies like Feridies, Grey Ghost Bakery, Stoneridge Orchards, McCrea’s Slow Cooked Handcrafted Caramels, and jcoco affixed snack packs to their press kits.  Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery used an old-fashioned branded clothespin to clip the press kit to some promotional materials. And see below for a  super-cool (and memorable) giveaway from Coyo. What rhymes with Coyo?

My only (minor) criticism: The press should be allowed to remove product samples from the show floor. Having my bag searched as I left the show was a tad icky.

But, all in all, I didn’t feel like “just another blogger” at the show. Kudos to the Specialty Food Association!