Overseas Visitors Matter

CEO (right)  and Company Director who is also an expert in ethnobotany and Vietnamese medicinal herbs takes the helm of a blueberry harvester.

Just back from: Shanghai, Vietnam, Oregon and New Orleans.   June is a busy month!  The most enjoyable thing about travel is meeting incredibly interesting people!  While at the Food Ingredient Vietnam Exposition, I hit it off with the CEO of Vietnam's largest dairy.  (Largest private company for that matter).  Of course, "stop in and visit when you get to the USA," I said.  Beam ahead to June 15 and it is "we are here..."  A quick trip to the airport and the closest nearby blueberry grower.  The busy visiting executives carved out three hours for me from their busy schedules!  The grower had been up since 2:00 am with the harvest but graciously accommodated.

My new friend, the Director of Marketing, one of the smartest individuals I have ever met!

Mission Accomplished: Besides talking blueberry -- I met some if the most interesting individuals who are in turn interested in blueberries.   Learned about their country, businesses.  We have new friends in this important market of the future!  Look forward to visit them on their turf later this year.

In this era of Social Networks -- one thing is certain -- Hospitality Matters.