As we continue navigating how best to operate in a virtual world–something that may continue into the foreseeable future–the Food Export–Northeast team is investing in technology to help event attendees of the upcoming Seafood Buyers Mission get the most out of their online experience and build better export relationships. After extensive research, Food Export selected Pathable as the platform for virtual events for participant ease of viewing personal meeting schedules and requesting additional meetings, as well as the professional presentation it affords US suppliers to make to buyers. 

Participants in the March 2021 Seafood Buyers Mission will experience the new platform firsthand. It will provide Northeast US seafood suppliers the opportunity to market their businesses more effectively to international buyers through the following platform tools:

• Pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with international seafood buyers;
• A personalized up-to-date schedule of daily events;
• Buyer profiles for all supplier participants to review prior to the event;
• A virtual booth;
• Welcome videos for buyers to “meet” U.S. suppliers;
• Embedded product videos for collateral sharing and demonstrations;
• Group calls within the platform;
• And Food Export–Northeast staff assistance before and during the event.

“Although we’ve had a lot of success with past virtual events, we knew it was important to upgrade our offering and give suppliers a more collaborative experience,” said Andrew Haught, International Marketing Program Manager for Food Export–Northeast. “Creating connections and relationships is a critical part of selling overseas and Pathable more closely mimics in-person networking than other virtual event platforms we considered. Throughout the event, Food Export–Northeast will also receive real-time feedback from attendees to further help suppliers make important connections with buyers.”

Leading up to the Seafood Buyers Mission, the Food Export–Northeast team will be working with suppliers and buyers to ensure they’re prepared for all meetings and have the appropriate marketing materials available on the platform. Curious what you can be doing to prepare for the Seafood Buyers Mission? Check out our recent blog post on Virtual Event Best Practices.

Interested in registering for the March 2021 Seafood Buyers Mission? Register today.

If you’re interested in learning about other promotional opportunities or marketing activities, please visit the Food Export–Northeast website.

 About Food Export USA – Northeast 

With its extensive programs and educational offerings, Food Export USA–Northeast (Food Export–Northeast) is recognized as the preeminent expert and cost-effective resource for Northeast seafood and agricultural suppliers looking to sell their products overseas. Founded in 1973, Food Export–Northeast is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with its 10 member states’ agricultural promotion agencies from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, to facilitate trade between suppliers and worldwide importers and to promote the export of food, agricultural and seafood products from those states. Since its founding, the organization has helped Northeast seafood suppliers gain access to a broad range of export markets, supported overseas in-market educational and promotional programs and offers emerging suppliers access to funds to help grow their export business. The organization is funded through the Market Access Program (MAP), administered by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

Learn more about us and what we do for the Northeast seafood industry here.  Contact us.