Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 12:48 pm
ECRM, a global leader in end-to-end product sourcing solutions for retailers, said that registration for 2021 Global Market: Food & Beverage has reached nearly 1,000 buyers and brands from more than 30 countries in just three weeks. The digital experience will bring together retail and foodservice buyers and product suppliers from around the world to meet face-to-face on June 28 through July 2.
“We are thrilled by the reception we’ve received for the 2021 Global Market: Food & Beverage,” said Greg Farrar, CEO of Cleveland, Ohio-based ECRM. “Buyers and suppliers from every corner of the world are eager to experience what will be a first-of-its-scale opportunity for product discovery, engagement and education in the food and beverage industry.”
In addition to seamless integration of RangeMe’s immersive product discovery experience and ECRM Connect’s virtual meeting platform for brands and buyers, Global Market: Food & Beverage features a lineup of content curated to deliver a combination of insights and practical “how-to” knowledge for participants. 
Among the presenters are:
- Gary Vaynerchuk, chairman of Vayner X and five-time bestselling author;
- Andrea Albright, merchandising SVP – snacks, beverages, alcohol, front end and convenience stores, Walmart;
- Larry Levin, EVP of marketing and shopper intelligence, and Joan Driggs, VP of content and thought leadership, IRI;
- Liz Buchanan, head of consumer intelligence, NielsenIQ;
- Phil Lempert, The Supermarket Guru;
- Lyn Graft, author of Start With Story; and
- Wendy Saltzman, three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and CEO of The Power Media Agency.
The educational lineup also includes a panel discussion on certifications featuring The Non-GMO Project, Plant Based Foods Association and Fairtrade America; a Store Brands magazine-led retailer panel discussion on private label supplier best practices; and insights presentations from Menasha and Ideoclick. Participants can add each of these programs to their schedule with the click of a button on the Global Market site.
“The combination of product discovery opportunities and top-notch education makes this a great opportunity for buyers,” said David Arens, divisional merchandise manager at The Exchange. “Using the RangeMe and ECRM Connect platforms, I can craft a mix of content opportunities and supplier meetings that best fits my category needs and objectives in a schedule that works for me.”
The product discovery stage for registrants begins on May 17 and runs through June 21. During this time, food, beverage and foodservice buyers can browse relevant brands and products attending 2021 Global Market: Food & Beverage within their respective categories on RangeMe, and select brands that they would like to meet with virtually. Brands that are selected will be invited to choose an available time on that buyer’s calendar for a virtual face-to-face meeting. Scheduled meetings are June 28-July 2 on ECRM Connect and run 24 hours a day to accommodate global participants.
“We’re excited for this unique opportunity to introduce our products to buyers around the world by leveraging the best-in-class technology of RangeMe and ECRM,” said Shiv Joshi, managing director of Greystone Premium Organic Tea, one of the supplier registrants of ECRM’s Global Market. “Plus, the outstanding content lineup will provide great insights to help move our international family business forward.”
