Trendspotting or Another Bakery Show?

The New England Dessert Showcase

Friday, September 25, 2009, The Greatest Bar, 262 Friend Street (between Causeway and Traverse), Boston, MA

7 - 9pm Cocktail Networking & Opening Night Party

Saturday, September 26, 2009, The Marriott Long Wharf, 296 State Street, Boston, MA

9 - 11am Trade-only Hours for B2B Networking
11am - 4pm Showcase Open to the Public
4 - 6pm VIP Ticket, Exhibitor & Media Reception
7 - 10pm After Party

Here's something of interest happening in Boston this weekend. This is the first year for the New England Dessert Showcase, an event run by Anthem Entertainment, which promises to bring together bakeries and potential wholesale customers. In addition to the B2B side, the event is open to the public. For a more detailed schedule and information about exhibiting or attending, go to http://www.nedessertshowcase.com/.

The confirmed list of exhibitors as of last Monday follows. Presumably it has grown as more folks decide to exhibit in the last two weeks before the event.

Sugar Me Cookies
Sugabettens Baking
Cassis Bakery Inc.
Delectable Desires
The Specialty Bean
Godiva
Bella
Finale Desserterie and Bakery
Simply Dahlicious
Strawberry Hill Confectionery
Brazilian Bakery Specialties & Co.
The Cholive
Brooke the Cook
Children's Trust Fund
Wheeler's Frozen Dessert Company
H. T. Berry Paper Co.
Street Eats
The Chart House
Simply Divine Brownies

In addition, several hotels will be attending, including the Intercontinental, the Eliot, the Boston Harbor Hotel and the Hyatt. Erica Johnson of Anthem said there will be "close to 100" caterers, event planners and wedding planners attending. Despite the fact that the Showcase's website says it will benefit exhibitors who are interested in "mass commercial distribution," it appears that Anthem is focusing on the catering and hotel market.

TheFoodMonkey.com, a website that follows Boston Restaurants and eating, is sponsoring a cooking demonstration with Nicole Coady, Executive Pastry Chef at Finale Desserterie and Bakery and Shannon Black, the Pastry Chef at Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro. Mike Prerau from TheFoodMonkey.com will host.

Anthem Entertainment, which as its name belies, is an entertainment promoter rather than an organizer of trade shows, so there is a lot of focus on the party aspect and less - if any - on professional development.

Don't miss the after-party.