Archive for May, 2010
Social media enables the food truck revolution
Street-Za from Milwaukee
One of the hot, hot, hot topics at this year’s National Restaurant Association Show was mobile cuisine– a.k.a food trucks. We’re not talking about those silver cup-of-joe trucks parked by construction sites. We’re talking highly graphic trucks serving creative cuisine on wheels. A couple of the high-image trucks were parked on the show floor and drew thousands who waited in long lines to step through the trucks and hear about Mobi Munch’s unique package of mobile food services, including a web portal and interactive social media-based platforms used to connect this growing community. Could there be a better match? Social goes mobile for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mobi Munch’s website will offer real-time tracking of trucks, nationwide food truck listings, ratings and full-on social networking. I can’t wait for this concept to grow. For such a foodie town, Chicago has yet to get this idea rolling but we’re counting on Matt Maroni htt://bit.ly/cmrdcJ, who runs a “naan-wich” place to persuade city council to get behind this trend by updating some rules and regs governing mobile food vendors. Hurry. Summer’s already here.
Fun and funny at the National Restaurant Association Show
The winning Tor Rey bag
Every trade show has its favorite Show Bags–those holders of the still-popular paper brochures, promotional tschotskes and general stuff. At the National Restaurant Association Show this past weekend, the most popular were messenger bags with wide straps worn sideways across the chest with the bag resting on the hips and butt. I predict the messenger show bag will be everywhere next year—you heard it here first!
Best in show and everywhere: TOR REY, a roomy red messenger bag
Runner up: Front of the House, a lime green messenger bag
Honorable mention: Alibaba, great design on a large, plastic coated orange bag
Now, of the 20 or so people I stopped to ask about their TOR-REY bags, not one said they were a real prospect for the company’s food equipment products. At least they carried the brand.
Love the buffalo
OK, you gotta love the restaurants that go for the outsized, outlandish and just plain out of this world ways to proclaim their individuality. Hence, the need for life-size, animated characters that speak to you while they are 1) nodding and waving 2) shakily holding a tray of drinks that appear about to fall off or 3) speaking and blowing smoke out of their large nostrils while waving their head back and forth in a menacing manner –that would be the talking buffalo head. Characters Unlimited would be happy to supply you with those and dozens more to amuse your guests. I think Charlie Trotters needs to lighten up and go for the smoke-exhaling buffalo immediately.
Restaurant industry gets its healthy eating on
Healthy options from Grecian Delight
We’re back from the biggest event of the year for the food service industry, the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. While there were plenty of fatty, calorific offerings (thank goodness), there was also lots of talk in the seminars about fresh ingredients, healthier menu options and the products on the show floor making it happen. The big mainstream companies are on board, as are smaller global cuisine houses and an entire Gluten-Free Showcase Pavilion of over 30 companies focused exclusively on gluten-free food items that actually taste good– we sampled! The Pavilion was a first at this year’s show.
Businesses are getting back to marketing
We’re almost halfway through 2010 and CBD has seen several trends among clients as many of them begin to bounce back from last year and make 2010 better.
The best analogy for spending in 2009 versus 2010 is that of a driving car. Last year, advertisers had their foot on the brake, doing only what was absolutely necessary. This year, many have taken their feet off of the brake, letting the car go forward, but in some cases, not yet pressing on the accelerator.
Thoughts from the Wind Power Expo
I traveled to the Wind Energy Show in Dallas this week– it was amazing. It was huge, easily one of the largest shows I have attended. Drawing exhibitors from around the world, the show touched every aspect of wind energy, from companies who develop giant wind farms to parts suppliers and manufacturers and even attorneys. You can check out the photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/awea/
A few observations: Continue reading
Where Should You Chat?
Wired has come up with a fun chart showing you where to chat depending on what your objectives are. While some of it is tongue-in-cheek, it is an easy intro to some of the different uses between Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Based on this chart, I am boring and should hang out on Linkedin. See you there, without the cat costume.
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/04/st_flowchart_1805/
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