INDEPENDENCE, KY - The Crosset Company is swinging for the fences again this year with its annual Buying Food Show and Educational Seminar at the Great American Ball Park, in Cincinnati, OH. Crosset, a proud member of Castellini Group of Companies, offers exceptional wholesale distribution and logistics resources, as well as a skilled network of in-house and field buyers and in-house ripening and value-added capabilities, including fresh-cut produce.
With the event just around the corner, Bob Lummis, Sales and Merchandising Manager, joined me to discuss the upcoming show, and what we have to look forward to as August 10th approaches.
“This year’s theme is ‘It’s a Whole New Game,’ and it truly is for Crosset as we continue to capture more market share across the board,” Bob tells me. “We are thrilled to welcome attendees, buyers, and vendors from the produce community to the 2016 show. With the goal of building relationships, creating opportunities for continued exposure for our suppliers, and driving innovation to the forefront of our initiatives, we hope to hit it out of the park once again this year.”
The Buying Food Show is another one of the many great Crosset platforms that connect members from around the industry. Attendees will take advantage of special deals with savings on products through the end of the year from more than 50 top produce and floral suppliers.
“This event is all in the name of profit and driving sales for our attendees. Building our brand and our message is key in increasing produce consumption and growth at both foodservice and retail,” Bob adds.
The day will kick off with Michael Sansolo, Retail Food Industry Consultant and former SVP of the Food Marketing Institute, as the first in a line of influential keynote speakers. Sansolo is now a consultant, speaker, and author who has conducted numerous studies with years of work with some of the world’s most innovative companies. This experience has allowed him a unique and insightful view of the changing nature of trends impacting shoppers, employees, competition, economics, supply chains, and management. Sansolo currently serves as the Research Director of the Coca-Cola Retailing Research Councils of both North and Latin America.
Kevin Coupe, “Content Guy,” for MorningNewsBeat.com, author of "Retail Rules! 52 Ways To Achieve Retail Success," and Co-Author of “The Big Picture: Essential Business Lessons From The Movies,” will rally the crowd next. Coupe will bring a wealth of experience and insights as well to the show, with unique worldviews and serious levity about the world of business and consumers to share with attendees.
Special guest speaker and former Cincinnati Reds Manager, Lou Piniella, will then grace the podium to round out the morning. As the Field Manager of the Reds’ 1990 World Series Championship Team, Piniella will share his vast knowledge of the game and the story that has colored an amazing career.
"The day will wrap up with a dinner cruise up the beautiful Ohio River aboard BB Riverboats’ Belle of Cincinnati, docked at Newport Landing,” Bob adds. “We look forward to growing our current relationships and creating new ones.”
Crosset maintains over 400 SKUs, one of the largest inventories of Certified Organic Produce. Crosset also maintains upwards of 1000 SKUs of Conventional Produce. Crosset’s products come from some of the most recognized and respected growers and shippers in the industry including Lady Moon, Braga, Cal Organic, Organic Girl, Earthbound, Mother Earth, Greenfield Farms, Organic Valley, Homegrown, Stemilt, Sunkist, Grimmway, Driscoll’s, Chiquita, Del Monte, and Dole.
For those attending the annual event at the Great American Ballpark, I’ll see you all next week! Safe travels!
