How to meet suppliers at a food trade show
Anyone can walk a trade show and collect samples. Meeting suppliers well is a different skill, and it's mostly about being useful and specific instead of vague and busy.
Know what you want before you say hi
The best opening line isn't what do you have. It's something like: I run a snack box in Amsterdam and I'm looking for a sour gummy with clean ingredients. Being specific tells the supplier you're a real buyer, and it lets them show you the right thing fast.
Ask the boring questions early
Minimum order, lead time, shipping, EU compliance. Get these on the table in the first few minutes. It saves both of you from a great conversation that dies three emails later because the minimum was way off.
Leave a trail
Ask how they prefer to be contacted, and write it down. A follow up that starts with great meeting you, you mentioned a 500 unit minimum, lands far better than a generic let's stay in touch.
We keep a simple list for every stand: name, product, number, next step. That list is the real value of the trip. More on how we run these meetings is in our sourcing guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a meeting last?
Ten to fifteen focused minutes is plenty.
What if I'm shy?
Lead with a specific need. It's easier than small talk.
Do I need to order on the spot?
No. Most real deals happen after the show.
Keep reading
Following up after a trade show so it works
Most trade show leads die in the inbox. Here's how we follow up so the good ones actually turn into orders.
DIY or curated gift box: an honest comparison
A DIY snack box feels personal, but it takes time, money, and three shops. A curated one shows up looking finished. Here is the tradeoff.
EU shipping rules for food, in plain language
The rules that govern food shipping in the EU are short and mostly painless. Here they are, minus the legal jargon.