A Successful Food and Beverage Networking Event
On March 8, 2019, the vibrant conference room at the Hotel Indigo East End was jam-packed with members of the Long Island Food Council. Attendees enjoyed another successful food and beverage networking event – the first of the year’s Educational Series, Social Media Tips To Market Your Company’s Products. While Michael Tucker, President of the Long Island Food Council, welcomes all and kick starts the lively gathering, moderator Jane Shearer of Suffolk County Community College leads the food and beverage minded group through a 3-hour educational journey.
Cynthia Colon, Program Manager – MTRC at Stonybrook University informs the group of incentives and grant opportunities the MTRC offers to food and beverage companies on Long Island.
Sonja Reinholt Derr, director of marketing for Times Review Media Group, shared many poignant marketing tactics and storytelling strategies which have proven to be useful for the Media Group’s various brands. Sonja shared some published news stories, which ones were more successful than others and stressed the importance of tracking your marketing efforts.
Social Media / Marketing gurus Sal Conca (salconca.com), Michael Rudes (TunedUp Media), and Jena Bitsko (Hotel Indigo East End) all shared their industry expertise stressing the importance of identifying company brand and tips on social media in today’s ever-changing environment.
Professional photographer Jim Lennon (jimlennon.com) and Ralph Masullo, Assistant Professor of Photographic Imaging Program SCCC explained the how-to techniques for photographing products. Attendees learned one aspect of making a great photo is to place a high concentration on the light source.
During the 40-minute Q & A attendees enjoyed a farm to table lunch provided by the chefs at Hotel Indigo. During lunch this active discussion allowed panelists to take some of the mystery out of Facebook, Instagram, e-mail marketing, as well as other forms of reaching targeted niches. Members engaged with industry leaders and took full advantage of the networking opportunities always available at a LIFC event.
