Belgian Economic Mission USA : “Taste of Belgium” tasting & networking event
Please fill in the questionnaire below by 22nd May to prepare your participation in the “Taste of Belgium” tasting & networking event, which takes place in the framework of the “Belgian American Trade in Food and Drinks” program in New York on Wednesday 8th June.
Program “Belgian American Trade in Food and Drinks”
During the Belgian Economic Mission to the USA, on Wednesday 8th June, the three regional trade promotion agencies (AWEX, FIT and hub.brussels), Fevia (the Federation of the Belgian Food Industry) and VLAM (Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board) offer a full-day program on “Belgian American Trade in Food and Drinks” for the food & drink companies in the delegation.
The program consists of 3 parts:
- Workshop “The ins and outs of the US Food and Drink Market” (9:00-11:00, New York Marriott Marquis, lead: AWEX)
- “Taste of Belgium” event (12:00-13:30, Aliz Hotel Times Square, lead: Fevia & VLAM)
- B2B program for food & drink companies (13:30-17:00, Aliz Hotel Times Square, lead: AWEX, FIT and hub.brussels)
“Taste of Belgium” network event
The “Taste of Belgium” event is a tasting and networking event, organised by Fevia and VLAM, in collaboration with the three Belgian foreign trade agencies (AWEX, FIT and hub.brussels).
It will take place at Dear Irving on Hudson, the rooftop lounge of the Aliz Hotel Times Square. It is Manhattan’s highest open-air hotel bar, with a beautiful view on the New York skyline.
The trade promotion agencies invited the American companies, who will be joining the Belgian food & drink companies for B2B sessions in the afternoon, to attend this tasting & networking event. The food & drink companies can also invite their current clients or own prospects to this event.
The event thus gives the Belgian food & drink companies in the delegation the opportunity to showcase their products to their US clients and prospects.
VLAM will offer dishes with Belgian endives and other vegetables. We hope to add to these dishes as many food & drinks from the companies in the delegation as possible!
HRH Princess Astrid has a meeting with the Mayor of New York at the moment of the event, so unfortunately she will not be able to attend.
Showcase your products
Every food & drink company in the Belgian delegation can showcase its product(s) during this tasting & networking event.
Please note that each company is responsible for the timely delivery of its samples and accessories (eg. glasses) at the venue. There will be no facilitation from the organisers of the event for shipment or delivery.
If you which to participate, please fill in the below questionnaire by Sunday 22 May.
Delivery information
We are expecting around 80 guests. You can offer 80 samples of your product, but off course also less.
Your goods should be delivered on Tuesday 7th of June at Aliz Hotel Times Square, 310 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018, United States to the attention of Mr. Roman Volland (roman@yjrgroup.com).
Please add labels in large format with your company name on your shipment.
Timing 8th June
As organisers of the event, Gert Van Causenbroeck (VLAM) and Tine Vandervelden (Fevia) will be at Dear Irving on Hudson as of 9:00. They will assist the team of the bar to set up the event and will make sure all the products are displayed and/or served.
The participants in the workshop (part 1) will collectively leave the Marriott Marquis at 11:00 on foot and will arrive at the Aliz Hotel at 11:15.
Those who won’t join the workshop are expected to come to at the Aliz Hotel on their own and be there at 11:15.
The companies that showcase their products can help finalize the set-up from 11:15-12:00.
US guest are expected as of 12:00.
The tasting & networking event takes place from 12:00-13:30.
Contact persons for the “Taste of Belgium” event
Tine Vandervelden, International Business Manager at Fevia (Federation of the Belgian food industry), tvdv@fevia.be, +32 (0)478267472 .
Gert Van Causenbroeck, Export Manager at VLAM (Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board), gert.vancausenbroeck@vlam.be, +32 (0)491861700 .
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions!