As we head into better weather across the Midwest and Northeast, I want to take a moment to highlight one of the most important opportunities we offer to U.S. suppliers each year: Summer in the Cities.
Returning this August with stops in Detroit, Indianapolis, and Albany, this buyers’ mission series is our flagship domestic platform for connecting U.S. food and agricultural companies with serious international buyers who are actively looking for new products.
I spent years helping coordinate this program when I started at Food Export nearly 15 years ago, so I have seen firsthand the impact it can have. At its best, it does more than generate leads. It builds relationships, opens doors to new markets, and gives companies a clearer understanding of how their products compete and resonate globally.
The structure is a big part of what makes it work.
Suppliers receive pre-scheduled, one-on-one meetings with buyers they select. This is completely different from setting up a booth at a trade show and hoping the right people stop by. These are focused, intentional discussions with importers, distributors, and retailers from nearly 20 regions who are prepared to talk business. Buyers receive your company profile in advance, and there is time to connect virtually before the event, so conversations start at a much higher level.
Right now, that kind of face time matters more than ever.
We are seeing export growth from the United States, but it is uneven. It looks different depending on the product category, and there is no single “hot” market driving results. In most cases, companies are finding success by exploring several markets, not just focusing on one. That puts a premium on having access to the right opportunities and building the right relationships.
That is exactly where Summer in the Cities comes in.
By bringing together buyers from a wide range of countries, this program allows suppliers to engage multiple markets in one setting. It creates space not only to pursue existing targets, but also to explore new opportunities that may not have been on the radar.
In fact, some of the most valuable outcomes come from unexpected connections. I have seen buyers walk into meetings without high expectations and leave excited about a product they had not considered. As so often happens in the food industry, taste and quality can change minds. Sometimes it is the story behind the brand. Sometimes it is simply the right conversation at the right time. Those moments often turn into real partnerships.
It is also quite accessible for businesses of any size.
For $325, suppliers gain access to a curated group of international buyers, pre-qualified meetings, and direct, candid feedback from people who understand their markets. For a small- or mid-sized company, that is a low-risk way to test new markets, validate your product, and start building export relationships without the cost and complexity of traveling overseas.
Just as important is the support behind it.
Our team and our in-market representatives work closely to ensure those meetings are productive. We also partner with state departments of agriculture to expand the resources available, particularly for small- and mid-sized businesses. Whether a company is new to exporting or looking to grow an established presence, the experience is tailored to meet them where they are. Many of our in-market representatives are available for one-on-one meetings during the event, and our technical experts support companies before and after to help turn conversations into results.
There is also a dynamic built into the program that suppliers may not always see.
Before meetings begin, buyers participate in retail tours in each host city. They spend time in stores evaluating packaging, pricing, and positioning. In some cases, they are seeing participating products on the shelf before ever sitting down for a meeting. That context leads to more informed conversations and helps suppliers stand out in a very real way.
At its core, Summer in the Cities reflects what we aim to do every day. We connect U.S. suppliers with global opportunities in a way that is practical, strategic, and grounded in real relationships.
It also serves as a bridge to what comes next. Our 2027 Program Year launches August 1, and this series sets the tone for the kind of engagement and growth we are working to drive now and in the future.
If you are looking for a way to expand your reach, diversify your markets, and engage directly with the right buyers, I strongly encourage you to consider participating.
This is one of the most direct, efficient, and impactful ways to start building what comes next.
Sincerely,
Brendan Wilson
CEO, Food Export-Midwest & Food Export-Northeast
Your Input Matters: If there is a topic you wish for me to discuss in this space, let me know. You can reach me at info@foodexport.org. Just put Attn: Brendan Wilson in the subject line.