SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Dec. 20, 2010 — The organizers of New Bedford’s 2010 Commercial Marine Expo have announced an innovative seafood sourcing and buying event called FirstSource: Retail Seafood. Sustainability expert Peter Redmond with present the keynote address. The industry gathering will bring select U.S. seafood buyers and suppliers together February 22-24, 2011 at the Tuscany Suites and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“FirstSource: Retail Seafood is a new way to introduce products to buyers that is cost- and time-efficient, unlike the hit-or-miss contacts at large tradeshows, or by making individual sales calls to 25 qualified buyers' individual headquarters,” said Brian Perkins, one of the event’s organizers.
The exclusive event opens with a reception Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, key suppliers deliver presentations about their products to a room of 25 leading supermarket buyers in the United States. Following the presentations, Tuscany chefs serve carefully prepared tasting samples of each supplier’s product to the buyers. On Thursday, buyers take part in private one-on-one meetings with suppliers of their choice to discuss pricing, production, and delivery capabilities.
Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Peter Redmond to Present Keynote
In addition, the event will feature two and a half days of one-on-one networking opportunities including gala receptions, dinners, luncheons and breakfasts. Peter Redmond, Vice President of Global Market Development for the Global Aquaculture Alliance, has been selected as keynote speaker for the event. Mr. Redmond will address the increasingly important role of sustainability in the sourcing and marketing of seafood products, and the effects of sustainability on the supply chain.
In addition to his presentation to the ninety high-level attendees during the event’s Wednesday luncheon, Mr. Redmond will be available both days to meet individually with interested supply and retail executives looking for guidance and insight in the complex and rapidly changing sustainability arena.
Mr. Redmond was employed by Wal-Mart Stores for 17 years in a variety of critical roles and capacities: store operations, international assignments, as a senior buyer and for seven years, as Vice President and Divisional Manager for Deli and Seafood. While in this capacity, Mr. Redmond was charged with developing the company’s seafood strategy for environmental sustainability. The resulting program and work are well known throughout the seafood industry and NGO groups.
In 2008, Mr. Redmond left Wal-Mart and formed Epiphany Group LLC, a company that focuses on consulting to the deli and seafood industry on environmental and business solutions. Through Epiphany, Mr. Redmond has worked with some of the largest retailers in the world, both nationally and internationally, along with a plethora of manufacturers and NGOs.
Hotel, airfare and meals for invited buyers are covered by FirstSource: Retail Seafood organizers. A limited number of pre-screened suppliers pay a fee to take part in the event.
FirstSource: Retail Seafood is the first of a series of FirstSource hosted-buyer events the company has on tap for vertical product specialties in the perishable food categories in the U.S. and Europe. "Our ability to combine high-level meetings and precisely executed product tastings makes the FirstSource concept unique and in the vanguard of food product marketing," Perkins explained.
For information on participating in FirstSource: Retail Seafood, visit www.FirstSourceEvents.com/RetailSeafood or contact Brian Perkins at +1 207-233-4475 or bperkins@highlinerevents.com.