The pre-launch conference and banquet was held at the San Gabriel Sheraton, welcoming 60 tables and over 600 distinguished guests, including business and industry professionals. The Red-Carpet Banner area provided VIPs, guests, and media with the opportunity for photo ops and interviews with OCM Globe Inc. company leaders.
Gigi Yam who meets the criteria that is what the North American market needs is a strong professional MC. Gigi has the magic 3 …She is bilingual, bicultural and bilateral with a great stage presence with a personal touch to make guests feel welcome with her sense of humor. OCM shows its wisdom and professionalism in the market by having her as an MC.
OCM leadership highlighted the significance of the 8th Asian Food Expo. Nick Li, Chairman & CEO, stated, “Our goal is to bring as many Asian brands as possible to the West and get the maximum number of people to try the different flavors.”
One only needs to spend a little time with OCM Globe Inc. leadership to note that TEAMWORK is a commitment—an organized and professional team focused on producing positive results. As someone who has been involved in promotional branding for nearly my entire adult life, it is clear that OCM Globe Inc. is a lesson in creating a paradigm shift from awareness, to consumer, to loyal brand followers.
Marco interviewed Wendy Dong, General Manager for OCM Brand. As Wendy spoke, one could feel the positive energy and excitement—not only for the event, but for the value delivered to the brands. Wendy said, “OCM Globe Inc. is a Brand Ambassador. The Expo is an opportunity to expand OCM Globe Inc., but also provide new opportunities for Asian food brands in international markets.”
An interview with Paul Ho, Retail to America Account Manager, highlighted duties that extend to some of the top retail names such as Costco, Walmart, and H-Mart. Paul stated, “Looking ahead, OCM Globe Inc. is committed to driving Asian food brands to have the largest American footprint and the largest American market penetration.”
Jackie Shi, in charge of West Coast Sales, shared, “We are excited that visitors to the Expo will have direct interaction with brands. Guests will come to the Fairgrounds and experience first-hand samples of many OCM Globe Inc. brands that they have never seen or tasted before. We are hopeful that experience will deliver sales for the brands we partner with.”
While waiting for the Gala to open the VIP reception had music, dumplings, samples, drinks, candy and OCM leaders interacting and providing interviews.
OCM and its event team put on a professional, classy event. As my readers and those who follow me know I attend many events. OCM’s event is one of my favorite events and a company I believe is truly making a difference in bridge building and a top company in the Asian Food Market. The Grand Ballroom was filled with energy, featuring the Year of the Horse theme. This Year of the Horse Graphic drew my attention. Sitting on tables outside the Grand Ballroom were product samples and a table of dumplings for guests. Once inside, and after finding one’s table, there were not only samples at each table, but also a large and heavy gift bag filled with multiple brands to take home.
OCM continues to strengthen collaborations with globally recognized brands. The company has played a pivotal role in expanding Chi Forest’s carbonated sparkling water (some say it is the largest selling beverage in China), distributed by Chi Forest North America in the City of Industry, California, through Costco’s global network. It has also promoted Walovi’s herbal tea culture, and brought Hsu Fu Chi’s iconic confectionery Japanese Egg Rolls treats, imported by VIVI International Inc. and manufactured by Dongguan Hsu Fu Chi Food Co. Ltd. in Guangdong, China, along with Black Truffle Crispy Candy, and Baker Lee’s Egg Skin Toast, a delicious product from China.
Other products highlighted included Rio, an imported liquor from China (imported by TMA Liquor Inc.), and Knorr Chicken Powder made in the USA and distributed by Unilever Canada.
OCM was established in 2015 and is dedicated to introducing premium and innovative Asian food and beverage brands to the U.S. market. OCM has experienced strong growth and has become a market leader, helping Chinese, Vietnamese, and other Asian food and beverage brands successfully enter and expand into North America. The company operates over 300,000 square feet of warehouse space, with regional offices and distribution centers in the City of Industry, Union City California, Aurora Illinois, Houston Texas, Linden New Jersey, and Savannah Georgia. Today, OCM’s total U.S. warehouse capacity exceeds 700,000 square feet, providing strong logistical capabilities for international brands. OCM did over $300 million USD in 2024 and company leaders project that OCM will achieve $400 to $500 million USD in 2026.
There were speeches by both OCM officers and others engaged in cooperation and partnership with OCM. With each speech came slides that engaged the entire audience, presenting solid statistical facts in addition to OCM brand locations and logistical operations, general market information, and market reach and penetration. Slides also highlighted demographic projections that the Asian population will become the largest minority group in North America, showing growth potential for Asian food brands. The Asian food and beverage sector is projected to be an $85 billion market. Statistics show that over 60% of people cannot find enough Asian foods.
Many experts state that pizza is the number one selling food in the U.S. As the Modern-Day Marco Polo—and a “foodie”—let us remember that China has a 5,000-year history of flatbread, and historians say that Marco Polo brought it back and the Italians made it into pizza. China invented the noodle, and Marco Polo brought it back, and the Italians made it into some of the best pasta dishes. One could say that the Asian food culture experience in the West has been around for a very long time.
Those same experts say that Asian—and moreover Chinese—food is the second largest-selling restaurant food in the U.S. The North American market shows that young Westerners are developing an affinity for Asian-inspired flavors such as authentic Chinese food, Japanese noodles, Vietnamese pho and coffee, and Thai cuisine. That certainly positions OCM Globe Inc. not only to deliver Asian and Chinese brands, but to gain market share.
Company officers shared that OCM Global has achieved rapid and sustained growth since it was established in the U.S. Speeches and slides showed OCM and partner brands the opportunity for strong future growth. OCM has achieved significant breakthroughs in its global expansion strategy, including entering a strategic partnership with the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets—amplifying brand visibility on an international scale.
One slide showed OCM’s joint venture with Singapore’s Fung Ke to establish a mushroom farm in Houston, Texas—marking a milestone in sustainable food production, aligning with the U.S. manufacturing reshoring trend while promoting eco-friendly solutions for global food distribution. This mushroom farm and its products are well positioned as there is substantial growth in the American mushroom market.
One can easily see that OCM Global positions itself, its brand, and its many partner brands very well—anticipating strong acceptance in the market and growth in sales. Their paradigm is simple: awareness to consumer to loyal brand follower.
After the speeches, slides, awards, and certificates, a delightful 13-course banquet began. The OCM Globe Inc. event team enhanced every VIP experience with parking validation, food to go, and tickets for the Expo.
The Asian Food Expo is set to open on January 17–18, 2026, at the Pomona Fairplex International Exhibition Center. The event will span over 100,000 square feet and will showcase multiple Asian, Chinese, and Vietnamese brands, along with Asian cuisine and culture across the entire Southern California region and beyond. The venue will be transformed into a festive Year of the Horse New Year atmosphere, with interactive game zones, cultural performances, and immersive experiences that highlight the richness of Asian and Chinese culinary traditions for an anticipated 100,000+ visitors each day. Visitors can enjoy exclusive giveaways, interactive games, and lucky draw prizes throughout the event for adults and children alike.
As OCM looks to the future, the company remains committed to cooperation and partnership with top Asian food and beverage brands, expanding its global footprint, and delivering diverse, innovative, and high-quality food choices to consumers worldwide. As the products market climate is changing, one can see OCM Global expansion with the potential of being in over 100 countries—and maybe even taking some new brands from America to China. A strong company with a great vision for a future with unlimited possibilities for success.
As I often do, before I write a review of products, I try them. The various products I brought home not only had superb packaging, but tasted great. If visitors at the Expo try the products I received in the gift bag at the Conference, they will enjoy them and seek the nearest retail store to buy more.
