Below you will find answers to the questions most frequently asked about the NASFT and the Fancy Food Shows. Clicking on any question will take you to the answer section at the bottom of this page. Take a moment to look at the questions and answers.
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Registering to Attend the Fancy Food Show
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How can I register to attend a Fancy Food Show?
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The best way to register is online: Web site
You can also register by fax, or by mail. If you let us know your fax number or mailing address, we'll send you a registration form. Please leave this information by calling (212) 482-6440, ext. 310.
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How do I confirm my registration?
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The best way to confirm your registration is via our Web site. If you are unable to confirm your registration electronically, you can call 708-486-0710 (Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm CST).
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When do I receive my badges?
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Generally, badges are sent 4-6 weeks prior to the Show, as long as your registration form was submitted prior to the pre-registration deadline, and was complete and accurate.
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Can I cancel my registration?
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No, registration fees are not refundable.
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What if my badges haven't arrived in time for the Show?
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If you registered after the pre-registration deadline, your badges can be picked up at the PRE-REGISTRATION counter at the Show during registration hours. If you registered prior to the pre-registration deadline and are concerned that you have not yet received your badges, you can check on your registration status on our Web site, or call 708-786-4120 (Mon.-Fri. 9am-5pm CST).
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How do I register for Education Program seminars, workshops, and special events?
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You can register for seminars, workshops, and special events via our Web site, fax, or mail. If you provide us your fax number or mailing address, we'll be happy to send you the necessary forms. Please leave this information at (212) 482-6440, ext. 310.
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Exhibiting at a Fancy Food Show
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How do I exhibit at a Fancy Food Show?
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You must be a member of the Association to exhibit unless you qualify as an International Exhibitor. If you are a company located in the US, see if you qualify for Membership. International companies should contact the sales department directly by clicking here or by calling 800-NASFTNY or 212-482-6440, ext. 183 for further information on how to exhibit.
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How much does it cost to exhibit?
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The cost for a booth at the 2009 Fancy Food Shows is $33.00 per square foot for all three shows. The minimum booth size is 100 square feet (or about 9 square meters). This entitles Members to 2 undraped 6' tables, 2 chairs, a wastebasket, gray carpet, a booth ID sign and a listing in the official Show directory (these items must be ordered by the published deadline). In addition to the booth cost, you may have expenses for freight, drayage, samples, travel, hotels, meals and other expenses detailed in the Exhibitor Manual.
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How do I choose my booth space at a Fancy Food Show?
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You will be contacted by the NASFT sales staff to go over booth availability once you have turned in your contract and paid the appropriate amount. International companies should contact the sales department directly by clicking here or by calling 800-NASFTNY or 212-482-6440, ext. 183 for a contract and floor plan.
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How do I participate in the International section?
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Some of the International pavilions within the International section of the floor plan are organized by country governments, some are organized by private companies and some are organized by the NASFT. To inquire about a pavilion for your country, please contact the NASFT sales staff directly by clicking here or by calling 800-NASFTNY or 212-482-6440, ext. 132 for further guidance.
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I am an exhibitor with a question - who can I contact?
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Please direct your questions to our EXHIBITOR HOTLINE either via telephone at 1-800-627-3869 x309 or email. All questions submitted will generally receive a response within one business day.
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Membership in the NASFT
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What are the requirements for membership in the NASFT?
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Some of the requirements for Exhibiting Membership include References (Customer List), the company must be actively selling in the specialty food trade for a minimum of one year, products or digital photos (the product(s) must be judged to be specialty foods by the NASFT's Admissions Committee) and CGL insurance policy. There is also a non-refundable application fee of $100.00. If you do not qualify for exhibiting membership, you may benefit from the Member Candidate program. For more information, please view details under "Young and Emerging Companies"
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How much does membership cost?
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The annual membership dues fee is based on your company’s annual sales volume.
| ANNUAL SALES |
UNDER $1 MILLION |
$1-$5 MILLION |
OVER $5 MILLION |
| NASFT YEARLY DUES |
$200 |
$400 |
$600 |
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What are the benefits of membership?
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The major benefit of being an Exhibiting member of the NASFT is participating in the International Fancy Food & Confection Shows. Other benefits include advertising in NASFT’s Specialty Food Magazine, access to substantial discounts on NASFT’s Educational Programs (including seminars; workshops; publications; training tapes, videos, and manuals), access to the NASFT's legal counsel in Washington, the placement of press releases in Specialty Food News, the opportunity to participate in the NASFT sofi Awards and so on.
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How long does the membership admissions process take?
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You will be notified within 5-10 business days of the receipt of your completed application. After the Admissions Committee reviews your company's application and product samples, and if your company meets the Admissions Committee criteria as authorized by the Board of Directors under the NASFT's By-laws, your company will be granted a Conditional Acceptance. What this mean is that your company will have an opportunity to exhibit at the NASFT Fancy Food Show(s) of your choice as well as take advantage of all NASFT Member Programs and Services.
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What is the Diversity Program?
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The NASFT is committed to advancing a diverse food culture in an evolving world of specialty food with its Diversity Program. The program aims to develop and strengthen minority-owned companies by providing business-building tools, including research, education and mentoring. U.S.-based specialty food companies with African-American, Caribbean, Hispanic, Latin American, Eastern European, Middle Eastern or Asian ownership qualify to apply to the NASFT as a participant in the Diversity Program.
For more information on the Diversity Program and certification, please click here or contact Tressa Kennedy at 646.878.0170.
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Young and Emerging Companies: Member Candidate Program
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I've been in business for less than a year and don't yet qualify for NASFT Exhibiting Membership. Is there a program for a manufacturer like me?
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Yes! The Member Candidate program has been created for small companies just like you.
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I’ve been in business for more than one year but have less than 5 retail accounts. Do I qualify for the Member Candidate program?
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Yes! No matter how long you’ve been in business, if you don’t meet the qualification of having 5 or more retail accounts normally asked when applying for full NASFT Membership, you qualify for the Member Candidate program.
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What types of retail establishments qualify as a “Retail Account?”
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Retail Accounts can include: farmer’s markets, small specialty food stores, large supermarket chains, catering or gift basket businesses, wholesale accounts.
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Is it mandatory to send in product samples?
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Yes! The Member Candidate Admissions Committee will need to see, sample and evaluate a sample of your products. You will receive the feedback cards from the Admissions Committee as your product(s) are being evaluated for entry into the program.
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Do I have to have a finished product with a label in order to apply for Member Candidate?
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Yes! You must currently have a finished product for resale meeting labeling criteria (company name, ingredients and origin).
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Do I need insurance to become a Member Candidate?
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Yes! You are required to submit proof of General Liability Insurance (in particular, Product Liability Coverage). Applicants must include, with the Member Candidate application, a copy of the declarations page of the Company’s Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance Policy with the NASFT as an additional insured under the same policy.
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Once I become a Member Candidate, can I participate in the sofi Awards?
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No! You will have this added benefit once you become a full NASFT Member. You will also be able to participate in a tabletop or special program at a Fancy Food Show, advertise in Specialty Food Magazine and participate in the What’s New, What’s Hot showcase at the Fancy Food Shows.
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Who can I contact to find out more?
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Please contact Erika Sipos at 646.878.0140 or email her to learn more about joining the ranks of our exciting new Member Candidate program.
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The Fancy Food Shows-General Info
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What are the dates of future Fancy Food Shows?
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Show Schedule for 2009:
Winter/San Francisco, CA= January 18-20, 2009;
Summer/New York = June 28-30, 2009
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How much does it cost to attend?
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If you pre-register the fee is $35 per person for the 3 days (Sunday, Monday & Tuesday)
$60 if you register at the Show.
There are no discounts for groups or students.
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Can my children come to the Shows with me?
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No one under the age of 18 will be admitted into the Show. This also applies to small children and infants in strollers or other carriers. The NASFT has made arrangements with KiddieCorp to provide child care services for Exhibitor's and Attendees' children, ages 6 months to 17 years during the Winter and Summer Show only. There will not be onsite childcare for the Spring Show in Chicago. Please call KiddieCorp at (858) 455-1718 for more information.
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Are there any special Show rules?
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Yes. Solicitation of Exhibitors or other Attendees in the exhibit halls by non-exhibiting visitors is strictly prohibited. Attendees are not allowed to use wheeled carts on the show floor, attendees are not allowed to leave the show floor with samples (sampling must be done inside the show hall) and only badged members of the press may take photographs inside the show halls. You will find a complete list of show rules and regulations in the Exhibitor Manual.
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Educational Seminars
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What is the schedule for the upcoming Show Educational Program?
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For a complete description of Show seminars, workshops and special events, click on the show you would like to attend and then click on the Educational Program link. Here you can access a complete Show Educational Program brochure and link directly to the Show Registration page to check event prices and order tickets.
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How much does it cost to attend an Educational Program event?
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Prices vary depending on the program. Exact prices can be found on the Show Registration Page. Please check under "Educational Programs" for more specific information.
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How do I sign up to attend a seminar, workshop or special event?
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Ordering tickets to attend an Educational Program event is easy. Once registration is available for a Show, you can go to the Educational Programs area at www.fancyfoodshows.com. Here, you can order tickets, as well as show badges online OR you can download an Educational Program Ticket Order Form and fax it to the customer service number printed on the form.
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I'm interested in speaking at one of the Fancy Food Show Educational Program sessions. How do I apply? How does the process work?
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In the early fall, NASFT solicits proposals for educational sessions at the next year's Fancy Food Shows. In order to receive information on the proposal process in the fall, please click here and send us an email with your contact information. We'll add you to the mailing list and contact you when the proposal process opens.
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What's New, What's Hot! (formerly Focused Exhibits and Product Listings)
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What is What?s New, What?s Hot!
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NASFT members and Fancy Food Show exhibitors can feature their products in the NASFT's major trade promotion platforms:
| In Print |
Specialty Food Magazine's What's New, What's Hot! 50-word listings?section is now separated by category |
| On-site |
Display showcases at the Fancy Food Show?the only area segmented by category |
| Online |
What's New, What's Hot! listing on specialtyfood.com, the trade's online hub |
Option 1: Choose your In Print advertising program in Specialty Food Magazine's What's New, What's Hot! section. If you choose to advertise in a Fancy Food Show issue, and you are exhibiting at the Show, you'll receive a 1/2 shelf in the on-site display showcases and an online listing on specialtyfood.com for free.
Option 2: Choose the On-site Display Showcase space only at the Fancy Food Show.
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What are the What's New, What's Hot! categories?
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For the On-site option at the Fancy Food Show:
| What's New? |
Products that have been introduced into the marketplace since the previous year’s Fancy Food Show. |
| Natural & Organic Foods |
Products that do not have any synthetic or artificial ingredients and/or are certified organic. |
| Gift & Holiday |
Products that could be gifts on their own or could be part of a gift basket; and products themed for the holidays. |
Extra categories for the In Print option of Specialty Food Magazine:
| Foodservice |
Products that are made available in bulk or portion-controlled formula specifically for foodservice applications. |
| What's Hot! |
Products of interest to buyers, outside of the categories above. |
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How can I purchase either or both of the What’s New, What’s Hot! options?
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Online registration instructions are included in the Exhibitor Toolkit. If you have any questions, click here to contact us or call Cynthia Eisemann at 800.627.3869, ext 138 or 646.878.0138. International exhibitors please contact Cynthia Eisemann.
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Business Builders 1 to 1 (formerly Interview Program)
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What is "Business Builders 1 to 1"?
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Business Builders 1 to 1 is a special program designed to give you the opportunity to present your company and products in pre-scheduled 10 minute appointments with some of the industry's most important distributors, retailers and foodservice buyers. There is no additional cost for this program. It is one of the value-added services available to exhibiting members.
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When are they held?
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The Saturday before the Show opens.
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How do I sign up?
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*You may register online at www.fancyfoodshows.com
*You will need to sign in using your company's username and password. This was sent to the main contact of your company on file with the NASFT.
*If you don't have this, email Samara Plastini at splastini@nasft.org and she will send it to you.
*Once you have signed in, click on the Account Management button (on the upper right-hand part of the screen).
*Then click on the Business Builders 1 to 1 button (on the left-hand side of the screen and you will see Sign Up Now buttons on the upper right-hand side of the screen.
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Who can participate?
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NASFT members exhibiting in the Fancy Food Show and all First-Time Exhibitors
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The sofi Awards
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What are the sofi Awards?
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The sofi Awards, formerly known as the NASFT Product Awards, is an annual competition held each Spring to honor truly outstanding specialty foods: the best of the best. A panel of distinguished specialty food professionals will select Finalists from among 30 categories. You must be an NASFT member in order to participate in this program.
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When are the products judged?
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The competition is broken into two parts: Part 1 consists of 29 categories ranging from Outstanding Salad Dressing to Outstanding Cheese or Dairy Product; Part 2 consists of a single category - Outstanding New Product. The initial round of judging to determine Finalists for Part 1 is held in late March or early April; Outstanding New Product Finalists are selected in June. The final judging is held at the Summer Fancy Food Show where nearly 1,000 retailers and foodservice professionals from around the country come to analyze, taste and vote for one Winner in each category.
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When are the awards presented?
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Winners are announced at the Meet the Tastemakers Reception(tm) during the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City.
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How do I enter my product?
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You must be an NASFT member to enter your products in the sofi Awards Competition. A participation packet is mailed in late February which includes all information (registration forms, facts sheets and deadlines) for Part 1; Part 2 packets are mailed in May.
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How much does it cost to enter a product?
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Each NASFT member company may submit up to five entries for Part 1 and up to two entries for Part 2. Each entry costs $50.
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