FOOD INDUSTRY The National Supermarket Association's 2024 Trade Show RD O C RE KE O R B By Violeta Montes de Oca he National Supermarket Association (NSA) broke throughout the East Coast, records at its 2024 Trade Show on August 14th and 15th Mid-Atlantic region, and at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey. Florida. 吀栀e event brought together leading supermarkets and The association has grown Tsuppliers from across the country to showcase their dramatically over the past two products and services, network with industry professionals, decades and currently provides its members with hands-on and explore new business opportunities. representation in both the private and public sectors, "吀栀is year we broke the attendance record. I believe more than 3,000 people attended the show, and I believe many companies also broke sales records," said Anthony Pena, Vice President of the NSA in an interview with Abasto Media. 吀栀e Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Costa Rica were three countries with a strong presence at the trade show, exhibiting their typical products focused on independent supermarkets. "吀栀e ideas shared, the connections made, and the innovations presented are a testament to the vibrant community we have in our industry. We are excited to see such enthusiastic engagement and believe the ideas exchanged will lead to great things in the future," shared Seny Taveras, executive director of NSA through an Instagram post. 吀栀e trade show brought together panelists such as Antonio Escalona, Senior Vice President of Emerging Businesses at PepsiCo Food North America; Pablo Maldonado, advocating for issues that impact the entire supermarket Business Intelligence Manager at Goya Foods; Eddie Vargas, industry. 吀栀e current membership represents approximately independent supermarket operator; and Ken Scher, Senior Vice 600 supermarkets. Most members are of Hispanic origin President of Associated Supermarket Group. and their stores are predominantly located in minority 吀栀e NSA, founded in 1989 by Hispanic entrepreneurs, is a neighborhoods. trade association that represents the interests of independent For next year, the NSA is already planning its trade show, supermarket owners in New York and other urban cities also to be held in August in New Jersey. 4848 NNOOVVEEMMBBEERR/ D/ DECECEEMMBBEER 2R 200224 4 AABBAASSTOTO..CCOOMM