Buyers Mission to National Restaurant Show 2025 in Chicago

ATO Seoul led a group buyers and distributors from Korea’s foodservice and business-to-business food sectors to the National Restaurant Show (NRA) Show in Chicago in May 2025, one of the world’s largest foodservice industry exhibitions.  The delegation program included trade show attendance, business matchmaking in cooperation with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), and field visits. It aimed to enhance Korean buyers’ understanding of high-quality U.S. food products and to expand their network with U.S. suppliers and industry professionals, creating greater business opportunities. According to a post-show survey, the delegation members engaged with over 200 U.S. exhibitors, and expect 4.3 million USD in sales over the next 12 months.

Korean Snack Food Buyers Trade Mission to Sweets & Snacks Expo 2025 Leads to $3.8 million in Potential Export Sales

ATO Seoul recruited a delegation of 7 Korean buyers from 6 import distributors of sweets and snack food products to attend the National Confectioners Association’s Sweets Snacks Expo (SSE) held in Indianapolis, IN, May 12-15, 2025. With 1,000 global candy and snack exhibitors, the 2025 SSE was the premier event for retailers and distributors looking to discover new confectionery and snack products and gain insights to elevate their business. Show organizer provided the ATO Seoul trade mission team with complimentary access to all of the show-related programs, retail tour opportunities, and a visit to Indiana Motor Speedway. ATO Seoul arranged additional retail market tours to enhance the delegation’s understanding of U.S. food brands, trends, and new products. During the three show days, delegation members enjoyed delicious product discoveries, had more than 500 visits and business meetings with new contacts showing inspiring business opportunities. According to the post-activity survey, the mission resulted in the total estimate of $3,794,000 in potential purchases from U.S. food suppliers over the next 12 months, including a couple of contracts for U.S. snack food signed on the spot ($1,030,500).

Great American Craft Beer Showcase at KIBEX 2025

ATO Seoul in a partnership with the Brewers Association (BA) organized the 'Great American Craft Beer Showcase' at the Korea International Beer Expo (KIBEX) on April 10-12, 2025. A total of 28 breweries participated in the activity, showcasing the quality, value, and diversity that the U.S. craft beer industry has to offer. Seven of the breweries traveled to the show, and the remaining 21 breweries were represented by their Korean import distributors or the BA EDP staff. Six of the breweries had no Korean import distributors and met many potential buyers during the show. Three of the new-to-market breweries who traveled to the show reported $150,000 of potential export sales to South Korea within the next 12 months as a result of the show. Korean import distributors who exhibited in the pavilion on behalf of their American breweries reported $10,000 of on-site cash register sales and over $140,000 of potential sales growth over the next 12 months as a result of the show.