The Purple Crow Fall Show brought together several hundred suppliers and customers on November 6 at Whitaker Park in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, creating a day marked by steady business activity and a warm, familiar atmosphere. From the start, buyers moved throughout the venue looking for products that meet the growing demand for Hispanic foods in the region.
Throughout the trade show, more than 100 exhibitors filled the floor with a wide assortment of Hispanic foods and beverages. As a result, attendees explored nostalgic products, dairy, meats, produce, snacks, and new health-oriented offerings, reinforcing the appeal of the Purple Crow Fall Show across multiple market segments.
In that context, CEO Dan Calhoun highlighted the long-standing relationships built over the past three decades. “Having friendships with businesses for 30 years, who have stayed with us and the Purple Crow family, is something that gives me great joy,” he said.
Joining his remarks, Sales Director Rick Calabro emphasized the company’s strong bonds with its partners. “It’s another year where we have the pleasure of shaking hands, greeting, and hugging our suppliers, our valued partners, who, beyond being partners, are, in many cases, friendships we’ve built over the last 20, 15, 10 years. We are eternally grateful to them and to our customers as we enjoy a festive day here at the Purple Crow.”
A Day of Successful Business
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A Family Atmosphere at the Purple Crow Fall Show
Throughout the event, participating businesses expressed their appreciation for the organization, hospitality, and support they received, all of which helped them present products, secure new customers, and strengthen existing relationships. A sense of community was a recurring theme among exhibitors.
To begin, G&G Marketing and Sales CEO Lucy Velázquez shared her satisfaction with the day’s results. “We’re happy because we’ve had many visits, many customers, and many sales during the Purple Crow Fall Show,” Velázquez said. She added that the team always makes them feel at home. “There’s so much kindness, and you can feel the warmth we share with the Purple Crow team at every level. We truly don’t feel like brokers; we feel like we’re part of the Cuervito Morado company. It’s a big support for us.”
Likewise, Mexilink Southeast Regional Director Marco Aguado praised the environment and the show’s consistency. “We’re very excited to be at this Purple Crow show because it’s always a success to be here. We’re all very grateful to the Calhoun family for inviting us,” he said. “I love the kinds of events the Purple Crow organizes, and everyone who comes says the same thing, because it feels like a family atmosphere.”
Additionally, Reina and La Moderna Sales and Marketing Manager Nelly Salazar highlighted the steady flow of customers and new business opportunities. “It’s a pleasure to be with the Purple Crow team, and on top of that, we do very well making new sales and meeting new customers, so we’re happy to be here.” She added, “First of all, in this family environment, you feel very at ease and happy to be with a group like Purple Crow, which is a family-run company and gives us the chance to showcase our products. There’s a lot of warmth at this show.”
Vilore Area Sales Manager Numael Acosta also praised the event’s quality and turnout. “We’re delighted to be at the Purple Crow show. The event has been excellent, with lots of customers and new people we hadn’t seen at other trade shows. It gives them the chance to discover the new brands we’re launching,” Acosta said. He continued: “I definitely want to highlight the quality of the people who organize it. It’s a fantastic event. We make good sales and build new relationships not only with consumers but also with the Purple Crow executives and representatives.”
Azteca Milling Regional Manager Yesenia Martínez highlighted the strong customer engagement and the show’s organization. “The truth is, there have been a lot of customers, and we have all our products here. We’re offering samples of tortillas and arepas so customers can try them,” Martínez said. “The Purple Crow is known for having well-organized events. Honestly, they make many things easier for us as suppliers.”
Finally, Grupo Padilla Commercial Manager Sonia Treviño appreciated the attentive and thorough coordination behind the event. “We really like the attention we receive here at the Purple Crow. They’re very well organized and take great care of their customers and suppliers. They look after every detail. We feel like family,” Treviño said. “We’ve done very well at the show. There’s been a lot of activity, and we have had visits from stores coming from Virginia, Washington, and Atlanta.”
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United in Challenging Times
At the close of the event, Calhoun reflected on Purple Crow’s role in distributing Hispanic food products across the East Coast and acknowledged the challenges the industry faces. Even so, he emphasized the importance of unity.
“Obviously, we want sales success, we want to grow more. But these days, this has been a tough year because of the political, immigration, and economic situations that the Hispanic community, and all of us, have had to face. But it’s better to face those challenges together rather than alone. There’s a lot of optimism here, and I believe the best is still ahead, but we need to keep moving forward with what God gives us each day,” Calhoun said.