Food companies go Dutch in search of €250,000 in sales from database
This impressive database of industry contacts is the result of a recent trade-only ‘Taste Cork’ food and drink event in Amsterdam by Cork County Council, and Cork County and City Enterprise boards. The event was co-ordinated by Bullseye marketing group.
Having represented 54 Cork food companies, the trade delegation is optimistic that these companies will develop further business as a result of the mission.
Mayor of Cork county Tim Lombard said: “Holland is a very important market for the Cork region from a business tourism point of view. The conference, meeting, and event agents who attended the Taste Cork evening event, organised by CCB [Cork Convention Bureau], represent strong potential business opportunities for Cork.”
The delegation says it achieved its overall aim — increasing Co Cork food producer exports to Holland — by targeting key Dutch food importers, distributors, agents, chefs, Irish pubs, and speciality food retailers.
The group met with 24 organisers of meetings, events, and conferences from the greater Amsterdam area. The companies whose foods were presented include Murphy’s Irish Seafood, Nohoval Brewing Company, Tom Durcan Meats, Ummera Smokehouse, Seymours Fine Foods, O’Flynn’s Gourmet Sausage Co, Molaga Honey, and the gluten-free bakery Delicious.
The event also generated tourism contacts. An aligned tourism event hosted by Cork Convention Bureau, Aer Lingus, and Tourism Ireland was also a success. CCB, with Aer Lingus and Tourism Ireland NL, met Dutch tourism professionals in Keizer Culinair Cookery School in Amsterdam.
The feedback from Dutch trade visitors has been positive. “The evening was refreshingly different and most inspired,” said Marianne van Dijk, project manager with GI Travel.
“It was a pleasure meeting all of you yesterday,” said Anneke Egbers, of travel group Becker & Egbers. “Never been in Cork before but I surely will plan a trip for my clients in the near future.”
The CCB has been asked to submit a proposal for an incentive trip to Cork for 120 staff members from the Dutch office of a worldwide financial services company.
The event manager for this company visited Cork last year on a familiarisation visit hosted by CCB and supported by Aer Lingus.
A second meeting with this contact at the event in Amsterdam further developed negotiations. The potential value of this business to the Cork region is €100,000 to €120,000.
Three other leads are also being developed by CCB as a result of the Amsterdam event, including a group of 61 who are interested in coming to Cork in June. The Dutch market has huge potential for Cork, with two direct flights each day from Amsterdam with Aer Lingus.
Merging the tourism and catering interest, CCB also offered an array of locally produced Cork food to the Dutch business tourism contacts.
The Amsterdam event is the first in a series of such initiatives in support of the food industry.
“The event stakeholders have learned lessons in staging this event, which will stand us in good stead for future events,” said Mr Lombard. ” This was a ground-breaking event and the first of its kind that any region in Ireland has done abroad.
“A comprehensive Cork Food Finder’s Directory in Dutch was prepared and circulated. Linkage opportunities between Cork producers and distributors in areas such as distribution are also being progressed.”
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