All Things Organic™ to Co-Locate With Expo Comida Latina
and All Asia Food June 16-18, 2009, in Chicago
PORTLAND,
Maine, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Organic Trade
Association (OTA), in partnership with Diversified Business
Communications, today announced it will co-locate its 2009 All
Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show with two of
Diversified's Cultural Food brand events -- Expo Comida Latina
and All Asia Food -- June 16-18, 2009, at McCormick Place in
Chicago, IL.
"This
is an exciting time to be involved in the organic and ethnic
and specialty product sectors, particularly as organic and specialty/ethnic
foods are the two fastest-growing segments of retail food sales,"
said David Gagnon, OTA's Interim Executive Director. He added,
"These co-located events will offer national and regional
forward-thinking retailers, foodservice professionals and manufacturers
access to valuable educational opportunities and sourcing options
that will help them stay competitive in the changing landscape
of food consumption in North America."
According
to the Organic Trade Association's 2007 Manufacturer Survey,
organic food and beverage sales represented approximately 2.8
percent of overall U.S. food and beverage sales in 2006, growing
20.9 percent in that year alone. Overall U.S. organic product
sales, including both food and non-food products, are estimated
to have reached $21.2 billion in 2007, and are projected to
surpass $25 billion in 2008.
With
more than 70 percent of U.S. households buying authentic ethnic
food and beverage products today, the demand for Hispanic and
Asian foods is greater than ever. According to the U.S. Census
Bureau, Hispanic and Asian Americans will make up 33 percent
of the U.S. population by the year 2050. Packaged Facts, meanwhile,
has projected Hispanic and Asian markets to top $7 billion and
$4 billion, respectively, in sales by 2009.
According
to The Natural Marketing Institute, Hispanic and Asian consumers
are more interested in organic foods than is the general population,
and are more likely to seek out stores that carry organic foods.
More than 50 percent of surveyed Hispanic Americans buy organic
products to better their health, improve the environment, and
support local farmers. The co-location of the three shows will
bring the certified organic and ethnic food and beverage markets
together in one focused event to deliver the latest trends and
showcase new and innovative products.
The
All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show will mark
its ninth year in 2009. Presented by OTA and Diversified Business
Communications, All Things Organic™ is the definitive
annual meeting place of the North American organic industry,
with an extensive conference program and a focused trade show
floor open to only certified organic products and products approved
for use in organic processing.
The
show has grown from 100 exhibitors in the 2001 inaugural event
in Austin, TX, to over 600 booths of organic products and services
and a buying audience of 12,000 in 2008. One hundred percent
of all revenue OTA receives from All Things Organic® is
reinvested in programs that support the organic business community.
Expo
Comida Latina and All Asia Food are the leading Hispanic and
Asian food shows in North America. As such, they focus on the
food and beverage buying trends of the growing Hispanic and
Asian American populations in the United States. The launch
of the 2009 event in Chicago will be in addition to an event
Oct. 13-14, 2008, in Los Angeles.
These
events offer food and beverage buyers across mainstream retail
and foodservice, ethnic markets and restaurants, distribution
and manufacturing an opportunity for face-to-face meetings,
networking, education, and a resource for authentic products
and ingredients from exhibitors around the world, including
pavilions and representation from the United States, Canada,
Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
"Chicago
looks forward to hosting this new co-location," said Tim
Roby, Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau (CCTB) President
and CEO. "We fully expect the CCTB's unique marketing programs,
coupled with our premier meeting destination, will meet all
expectations for a successful event."
OTA
and Diversified Business Communications are developing additional
opportunities for the co-location in Chicago. Look for more
information as it becomes available.Organic
Trade
Association (OTA):
The mission of the Organic Trade Association is to promote and
protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment,
farmers, the public and the economy. OTA envisions organic products
becoming a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people's
lives and the environment. As a membership-based business association,
OTA focuses on the organic business community in North America.
OTA's 1,700 members included farmers, processors, importers,
exporters, distributors, retailers, certifiers and more (www.ota.com).
Diversified
Business Communications:
Experts in bringing cutting-edge information and buying opportunities
to food professionals, Diversified Business Communications produces
over 20 food exhibitions and six trade publications for the
food industry worldwide, including Comida News and All Asia
Food News, on-line publications featuring the latest news and
information critical to food industry professionals looking
to navigate changes and maximize opportunities in North America's
dynamic food industry (www.divbusiness.com).
Contact:
Barbara Haumann, Organic Trade Association, +1-413-774-7511,
ext. 20