Vision Import Group draws attention with alligator at SUPERVALU Eastern Region Expo
Vision Import Group draws attention with alligator at SUPERVALU Eastern Region Expo
Vision Import Group LLC, headquartered in River Edge, NJ, hired Bruce Letchworth as its sales manager of the company’s newly opened Lakeland, FL facility when it opened last August. At this year's SUPERVALU expo event, he used a unique skill to draw attention to the company’s booth.
Vision Import Group adorned its booth at the SUPERVALU Eastern Region Expo with a mounted alligator head, a catch by the company’s Florida sales manager, Bruce Letchworth.
Letchworth and his entire family hunt alligators, as well as other wildlife.
With a strong background the retail sector having worked for SUPERVALU, Publix Super Markets and Save-a-lot, he hasn’t wasted a second jumping right in to promote Vision’s popular line of high-quality tropical fruits to retailers.
On April 3, he used both his experience and his hobby to draw attention to the company’s booth at the Pittsburgh SUPERVALU Expo event. In addition to the company’s products, he brought along a mounted ‘gator head to catch attention.
“And I brought some alligator sausage, which people love once they try it,” added Letchworth.
He explained that he has been pitching the company’s products to SUPERVALU since he started with Vision Import, but that they had not yet bought the company’s “Mojito” brand of bagged limes.
Bruce Letchworth, Florida sales manager for Vision Import Group, poses next to an 11-foot, six-inch alligator while holding another that is 12-feet, two-inches long.SUPERVALU holds the event annually to allow vendors to present products to the company’s produce buyers and workers.
“This year’s expo included 64 produce and floral exhibitors,” said Letchworth. “SUPERVALU’s vendors include domestic producers as well as growers and distributors of imported fruits, vegetables and floral products. The event also helps the company’s produce employees learn about new marketing and display techniques.”
The event even provides a motivational aspect. This year Erik Wahl, motivational public speaker and best-selling author of UNthink: rediscover your creative genius, addressed attendees at the expo.
“His speech was about how to think outside of the box,” said Letchworth. “And it was exceptionally motivating. Everyone there walked away highly inspired and having learned new ways of thinking.”
As for placing the “Mojito” bagged limes in SUPERVALU stores, Letchworth said he had just returned from the event, which was only two days earlier when he spoke to The Produce News, but that he was looking forward to hearing from the company.
