DC Welcomes 30,000 for the Summer Fancy Food Show, July 10-12

Convention Coincides With "Dc Eats" Summer Marketing Campaign From Destination DC

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- DC will welcome the 57th Summer Fancy Food Show, North America's largest marketplace for specialty foods and beverages, this Sunday, July 10. With more than 180,000 delicious products on display, the three-day show is expected to bring more than 30,000 attendees and exhibitors to the city and create more than $28 million in visitor spending.

"We are thrilled to welcome the Fancy Food Show to DC," said Elliott L. Ferguson, President and CEO of Destination DC. "Washington, DC is a world-class city for conventions, as well as a true Mecca for upscale dining and innovative cuisine. The organizers of the Summer Fancy Food Show recognized our international appeal and we are delighted to partner with them for this unique show."

The economic impact of the Fancy Food Show is particularly significant since summer is typically considered the slow season for conventions. The annual event, organized by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT), will be held for the first time at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center after being held in New York City for many years. The show is also scheduled to return to DC in 2012.

"Washington, DC is the perfect host city for the Summer Fancy Food Show," said NASFT President Ann Daw. "Metropolitan Washington and the Mid-Atlantic region are particularly strong markets for specialty foods.  After considering multiple cities, we were impressed with what DC has to offer as a destination and we knew it was a great fit for the Fancy Food Show in 2011 and 2012."

With more than 2,400 hundred exhibits, attendees will sample an array of specialty foods from vendors all across the U.S. and more than 80 countries. The Summer Fancy Food Show is a significant international event for DC that showcases local exhibitors too including Divine Chocolate from Washington, DC, Gifford's Wholesale Ice Cream from Silver Spring and Route 11 Potato Chips from Mount Jackson, Va.

The Fancy Food Show coincides this year with Washington's new DC Eats – Summer of Food (dceats.org) initiative. The program, aimed at locals and visitors alike, highlights DC's delicious dining scene with special discounts and deals at restaurants, bars and attractions in the Washington Metro region throughout the summer. The Web site also features food-focused DC itineraries for visiting foodies. Sponsored by Safeway, DC Eats will include in-store events with free popsicles, face painting and appearances by Chef Huda of Pretty and Delicious catering company.  Events will be held on July 16, July 23 and August 13.

Press Registration for Fancy Food: The Summer Fancy Food Show is for members of the specialty food trade only. It is closed to the general public. Press registration is at www.fancyfoodshows.com/attend.

About Destination DC: Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation's capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 850 businesses committed to marketing the District as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Destinationdc.com.

About the NASFT

The NASFT is a not-for-profit trade association established in 1952 to foster trade, commerce and interest in the specialty food industry. Today there are more than 2,700 members in the U.S. and abroad. The NASFT's website for consumers, www.foodspring.com  provides an insider's look at specialty foods and the companies, entrepreneurs and artisans behind them. For information on the NASFT, go to www.specialtyfood.com . For information on the NASFT's Fancy Food Shows, go to www.fancyfoodshows.com.

SOURCE Destination DC