OUR WEBLOG: EXCERPTS OF EXPORTS

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Fingers Crossed - Part II

Well, I did say fingers crossed. Further I said if all goes well technology-wise, I would provide a video of my trip to Toronto. But you have to have the technology to be able to use it. I left my Treo in the lobby of the hotel and it immediately disappeared. (Thank goodness for insurance although the replacement I received yesterday did not work. I am waiting for my replacement’s replacement and am feeling very disconnected). But while the managers of the stores we toured welcomed us, taking any sort of pictures or videos was verboten. So I guess my losing my Treo from the standpoint of taking a video was a moot point.

Anyway the trip was great. We had tours of all levels of markets and met with their representatives. There is nothing like on-site visits to determine shelf space, placement and positioning. Pricing, labeling and portion sizes are also better understood “in person”. Toronto is a very cosmopolitan city with large ethnic communities. Canadians have sophisticated tastes and are looking for different products. Now is a great time to promote specialty food items to Canada. Hypermarkets are moving into Canada and supermarkets want to maintain their market share. Thus they are looking for new products to keep existing customers and entice new ones.

This is a delicious job and great fun. Not only did I travel to one of the best cities in the world, I sampled and pigged out on mouth watering food and wine. Aah, can it get any better than this.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Fingers Crossed

If all goes well from a technology standpoint, you will be able to follow my adventures into the world of Taste Test Marketing with some of Toronto’s leading gourmet food reps. Watch and learn as I dazzle the epicurian senses of these Canadian purveyors of great taste, while at the same time, creating a positive first step toward successful export sales.

In the spirit of good exporting, I’ll also make time to acquaint myself with the local folk, food and fun.

So this is what I plan to capture. I am almost as excited about the video of this event as I am about promoting U.S. specialty food products to the Canadian marketplace. I am prepped and I am stoked (I think this is still the vernacular of the day). So wish me good luck and bonne chance and you’ll see me “at the movies.”

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Toronto Taste Testing Countdown

Later in August, In-Compasse International will be in Toronto meeting with national food distributors representing clients who produce specialty food items.

The products, primarily from New Mexico, include chiles and salsas that contain chiles. New Mexico is one of the largest chile producing areas of the world; the climate perfect for chile growing.

New Mexico is also home to the Chile Pepper Institute whose mission is to “educate the world about chiles.” They must be doing a good job.

There has been a recent interest in spicy foods in Canada. Canadian distributors are looking for unique products for differing tastes; Toronto being one of the most diverse cities in the world. Toronto is home to to nearly all the world’s culture groups and is the largest city in Canada.

It has been a while since I have been to Toronto. Since moving to New Mexico, Toronto is not easily accessible. Not like when I lived in Michigan.

I would take the train to Toronto when I lived in Michigan. It was fun taking the train and a much better option than driving the straight, flat 401. I love Toronto. It is one of my favorite cities.

I expect it has changed. I will re-visit some of the museums, walk along the lake, perhaps go up the CN tower. Of course, I will have to try different restaurants. There are new foods to be sampled but then I have the inside track on that.

So go to Toronto, I must. But hey...somebody’s gotta do it and it might as well be me.

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