August 2010 Poll - What Hot Sauce Show Would You Attend - the Fiery Foods Show or ZestFest?

Scott Roberts August 16, 2010 at 10:00 am Digg this Article

Two of the biggies of the spicy food trade show world are occurring early next year within 45 days of one another - ZestFest in Irving, Texas from January 28 - 30, and The 23rd Annual Fiery Foods and BBQ Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico from March 4 - 6.

If you were able to travel to only one of these shows (either as a regular attendee or as a vendor), which one would you choose?

Comments

Jonathan Passow
2010-08-16 08:09:29

WOHOO!!! 3 way tie!

DEFCON Creator
2010-08-16 08:15:06

Not any more.

Mark V
2010-08-16 11:46:35

CI can't really vote on this one - Will be attending my first Zestfest in Jan. so have never been to that one before - but I am already planning on being back for the FFS when it rolls back around - the only thing I can say is my vote definately wouldn't be for the third choice!

Buddah
2010-08-16 15:15:35

I can't afford to do both so close to each other. I feel for the vendors who have to spend so much so close to each other. I am planning on doing the FFS again, and do not want to take the chance on snow canceling my flight in January. I would love to go to this special Zestfest though, so it kind of sucks I won't attend.

Jay
2010-08-16 20:54:44

Undecided at this point. I should know in the next month or two.

Sébastien
2010-08-17 01:03:51

I imagine that the fiery is the older one.
But which one is the biggest ?

Lee@DC
2010-08-17 07:19:28

FFS show is bigger. As a vendor, we had more fun in Texas, but sold more at FFS. Maybe that's about to change?

DEFCON Creator
2010-08-17 08:38:28

FFS is bigger, but I agree Zest Fest is a lot more fun. We tend to do a LOT better at Zest Fest, as the attendees aren't all 'grazers'. I think the next Zest Fest will be one for the record books!

I think it also has a LOT to do with the cost of doing the shows. FFS costs us in excess of $6k, and about half of that for Zest Fest (freight, airfare, hotel, etc).

Lee@DC
2010-08-17 08:54:40

Good points. Since we drive, airfare and shipping aren't concerns. Although I do agree, you sell more product per person in Texas, but overall we sell more at FFS. We're actually not going to stay at the Casino at FFS anymore. Hotel Blue downtown is $80 a night and right by all of the bars. Plus last year Danny and guys ran into KG from Tenacious D at the free breakfast. So much cheaper and more fun downtown. Join us!

DEFCON Creator
2010-08-17 10:12:29

I also find that there are MANY more buyers and wholesalers arriving at Zest Fest than I do at FFS. We have done VERY well in Zest Fest the last couple of years, selling out our booth last year, something we've never come close to doing in ABQ. The other added plus with Zest Fest is, you don't have do deal with the cranially-deficient drones from Disco drayage.

hudd
2010-08-17 15:29:07

not going to be able to go to either but if we could it would be Zest Fest. That would be something fun to do for our 30th wedding anniversary. Although the both sound like fun.

Judy Magouirk
2010-08-18 07:32:19

Well, of COURSE I voted for Zestfest.......being on the production team and all.....LOL. BUT, this year is going to be big, big, big. With an expected 20,000+ in attendance, the week before the Super Bowl, we expect a great success. Thanks to Scott and John Dilley for their help in spreading the word. Check out the new website....launched just yesterday morning.....

Judy Magouirk
2010-08-18 07:36:59

......and the web address is, of course, www.zestfest2011.com

Lois Manno
2010-08-31 13:01:37

Trying to compare the National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show to a food festival in Texas is quite a stretch. Who chooses what show to exhibit in based on free booze and the best parties? How about the show with the biggest attendance, the most buyers, and the highest media profile? (That would be the Fiery Foods & BBQ Show hands down, BTW.)

And about that imagined absence of buyers at the Fiery Foods & BBQ Show. We’re in our 23rd year, and every year our buyer list expands—you do the math. It’s a proven fact that many buyers come to our show every year and make their buying decisions based on what they see.

We appreciate everyone who participates in the Fiery Foods & BBQ Show. Trying to decide which show will be the best for your company? That’s your call. But at the end of the day, Albuquerque is still home to the biggest, the longest running, The Hottest Show on Earth!

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