Summer Fancy Food Show heads to Washington, D.C. in 2012?

NEW YORK, NY -April 13, 2010 – The 2012 Summer Fancy Food Show will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The unanimous decision to move the Show in 2012 was made at a recent meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT).

The decision was made because of the expected ongoing renovation of New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, the show’s long-time home. Two years ago, the NASFT decided to hold the 2011 Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, D.C. NASFT believes the renovation in New York will not be completed by 2012 and will continue to adversely impact the quality of the Fancy Food Show.

“Metropolitan Washington and the Middle Atlantic region are strong markets for specialty foods,” says NASFT President Ann Daw. “Middle Atlantic retailers and foodservice professionals, along with buyers from the South and Northeast, will be excited by the 2011 Show and return to see more specialty foods in 2012.”

According to a press release from show sponsors, Washington’s central location, international reputation and role as the nation’s capital make it an ideal venue for trade exhibitions such as the Fancy Food Show. NASFT is already in the midst of developing a marketing program that will bring buyers to D.C. in 2011 and 2012.

The NASFT is committed to New York City, the birthplace of the Fancy Food Show, for the long term. Since the Javits Center opened 24 years ago, the NASFT has held the Summer Show outside New York City in only two years - Washington in 1992 and Philadelphia in 1996. The Javits Center is the permanent home of the Summer Fancy Food Show, and NASFT looks forward to bringing its 2,300 exhibitors and 25,000 attendees to New York City for years to come.

This year’s show is set for June 27 – June 29, 2010, at the Javits Center, and will feature more than 180,000 specialty food and beverage products from the U.S. and abroad. For additional information, visit www.specialtyfood.com.

The NASFT is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. Today, there are more than 2,900 member companies throughout the U.S. and abroad. For more information on the NASFT and its Fancy Food Shows, go to www.specialtyfood.com.