Calendar of Events and Promotions
2012

 

FEBRUARY

 4 Treasure Valley Farmers Market Workshop, Nampa , ID
A full-day workshop targeting farmers market managers and vendors includes marketing training in the area of product diversification (ranging from produce to crafts), regulatory updates from the Idaho Tax Commission and ISDA Plant Industries and Weights and Measures Divisions as well as an update from the Idaho Farmers Market Association Steering Committee. The afternoon will offer multiple tracks: (1) Business Basics by the Small Business Administration covering Self-Employment Assessment, Choosing a Business Structure, Small Business Options, Obtaining Financing, Regulatory Information, Human Resources, Marketing, Bookkeeping & Financial Statements, Business Plans; (2) food safety. Running a CSA will also be a topic at the workshop. For more information contact Lacey Menasco.

9-10 Whole Foods Meetings, Boise , ID Whole Foods will open their first Idaho store in early 2013. In anticipation of that opening, company representatives will be in Boise February 9-10, 2012. Idaho companies interested in selling wine, cheese, chocolate, beer, bakery items, frozen grocery, dairy, dry grocery or bulk (dry) foods ONLY will be invited to meet with buyers during this visit. Buyers of other foods and products will be in town at a later date. If you are interested in discussing your products with Whole Foods, contact Leah Clark.

15 Making the Most of Social Media Marketing, Webinar
This one hour webinar is specifically targeting farmers, ranchers, and specialty food companies involved in direct marketing. The speaker, John Drake of Drake Cooper, is from a Boise based marketing firm with in-depth experience in social media marketing. He will be covering the use of Facebook, Twitter, and blogs, to increase customer contact and sales. The webinar is FREE to interested parties, but preregistration is required. For more information, contact Lacey Menasco.

15 Explore Exporting Seminar*, Boise , ID
An export seminar for agricultural producers will be held at ISDA’s offices in Boise on February 15. Matt Tripodi, Government and Trade Relations Manager at Euromonitor International, will be the keynote speaker for this event. Matt will present global market trends and discuss why agricultural exports will be a bright spot in the economy for 2012 and beyond. Additionally, Idaho’s Trade Office Managers from China, Taiwan, and Mexico will present on market opportunities in their respective regions. Local export experts, industry, and government representatives will be on hand to share their experiences and participate in an interactive question and answer forum. Registration is required and cost to attend is $20.00 with lunch included. For more information, contact Kim Peterson.

 6 – 24 International Trade Officer Managers ( China and Taiwan) Visit, Statewide
Eddie Yen, Idaho’s Trade Office Manager in Taiwan, and Xu Fang, Idaho’s Trade Office Manager in China will be in Idaho to meet with companies interested in expanding exports in China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. If you are interested in meeting with one or both managers, contact Kim Peterson.

6 - 17 International Trade Office Manager ( Mexico) Visit, Statewide
Armando Orellana, Idaho’s Trade Office Manager in Mexico will be in Idaho to meet with companies interested in expanding exports in Mexico. If you are interested in meeting with Armando, contact Katlin Davis.

16 Specialty Crop Block Grant Pre-Application Webinar
This one hour webinar will walk potential applicants through the application guidelines and the processes of developing a proposal. Even if an applicant has received Specialty Crop funds in the past, they are still encouraged to participate. If interested, contact Lacey Menasco and she will send the login information to you.

 MARCH

 3 Eastern Idaho Farmers Market Workshop, Idaho Falls, ID
A full-day workshop targeting farmers market managers and vendors includes customer service training provided by the Small Business Administration, an update from the Idaho Farmers Market Association Steering Committee, a session on designing attractive booth displays, market and vendor success stories, and a regulatory update from the Idaho Tax Commission, Eastern Idaho Public Health District, and ISDA Plant Industries and Weights and Measures Divisions. Cost is $25 per person, or $20 if registered before February 24. For more information contact Lacey Menasco.

14-16 ANTAD 2012, Guadalajara Mexico
 ANTAD is Mexico’s largest and most prestigious food and supermarket trade show. In 2011, ANTAD welcomed approximately 35,000 visitors from 30 countries. ANTAD provides Idaho agriculture companies the opportunity to enhance their visibility in the Mexican retail market, meet with new networking contacts and learn about the latest trends. ANTAD has been successful for U.S. Exhibitors in the past resulting in increased sales and distribution. WUSATA, in conjunction with the Idaho & Oregon State Departments of Agriculture, will be coordinating participation in the ANTAD Expo 2012. Suitable products include, but are not limited to: Frozen products, Snack foods, Dairy products, Wine & Beverage, Seafood & Shellfish, Processed Fruits & Vegetables. Please contact Katlin Davis with questions or to register.

23-24 Moscow Agritourism and Farmers Market Workshop, Moscow , ID
The first day of this workshop, Friday the 23 rd , will be focused on Agritourism – u-picks, pumpkin patches, entertaining on the farm, bed and breakfasts, and farm diversification. Saturday the 24 th will be focused more on direct marketing and farmers market topics. Cost will be $25 per day, or $20 per day if registered before March 15 th. For more information contact Lacey Menasco.

 APRIL

14-22 Idaho Trade Mission to China – Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing, China
Lt. Governor Brad Little will lead an Idaho trade delegation to China with stops in Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing. China is Idaho’s 5 th largest export market and is an important market for Idaho’s export companies. China’s GDP is projected to grow by 9% in 2012 and trade and investment potential in China has remained strong despite slowing growth in the overall world economy. For more information, contact Kim Peterson.

15-25 WUSATA Board of Directors Trade Mission*, Singapore and South Korea
Director Celia Gould and other Directors of Agriculture from the western U.S. states will lead a Director’s Mission to Singapore and South Korea. The delegation will visit Singapore April 15-19 and Seoul April 19-25. Interested Idaho companies are invited to attend one or both stops. Mission participants will have the opportunity to participate in coordinated one-on-one buyer meetings, networking receptions, retail tours, meetings with major retail outlets, and market briefings. The delegation will also make scheduled visits to walk the Food and Hotel Asia Trade Show in Singapore, which takes place April 17-20. For more information, contact Katlin Davis.

 MAY

1-2 World Trade Day Conference, Boise , ID
The Idaho Export Council is sponsoring an annual seminar in conjunction with World Trade Day. The conference will be held at Boise State University, May 2. The Keynote speaker is Ambassador Islam A. Siddiqui, USTR’s Chief Agricultural Negotiator. He is responsible for bilateral and multilateral negotiations and policy coordination regarding agricultural trade. A golf tournament kicks off the event on May 1. For information, contact Laura Johnson.

 9-11 SIAL China 2012*, Shanghai , China
In 2011, SIAL China was the largest retail show in China, attracting 1,520 exhibitors from 76 countries and regions represented from around the world with over 33,000 trade visitors. SIAL China provides Idaho agricultural companies the opportunity to enhance their visibility in the Asian market, create new networking contacts, and learn about the latest trends. Many U.S. exhibitors at SIAL China have reported significant gains as a result of the show. WUSATA is coordinating a pavilion at the event. For more information, or to register, contact Kim Peterson.

JUNE

24-30 Idaho Organics Week – statewide
Idaho organic products and growers will be featured in statewide media and public relations outreach to increase consumer awareness of the availability of locally produced organic products. Contact Lacey Menasco for more information.

 AUGUST

 5-11 Idaho Farmers Market Week
Celebrate local markets and growers that support them during the first week of August in honor of Idaho Farmers Market Week. Look for special events taking place at local farmers markets including chef demonstrations, product sampling, and fun activities for the kids. For more information about markets in your area or for ideas and resources to help your market celebrate Idaho Farmers Market Week, contact Lacey Menasco

 FALL

TBD Taiwan Outbound Mission*
Taiwan is a sophisticated market with expanding opportunities for Idaho agricultural producers. There is an increased demand for U.S. fresh and value added products by Taiwanese consumers. WUSATA will conduct a trade mission to multiple locations in Taiwan targeted for new-to-market companies and companies who wish to expand their sales in the market. Meetings with key importers and distributors from the retail and foodservice sectors will be customized for each participant. For more information, contact Kim Peterson.

TBD Western Onion Promotion*, Mexico
The Idaho and Oregon State Departments of Agriculture in cooperation with the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) and the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee will conduct a retail and foodservice Yellow Onion promotion throughout Mexico. This promotion has helped raise awareness of yellow onions from 5% - 50% over 6 years. Yellow onion exports to Mexico have increased substantially during the same time period. For more information, or to participate, contact Katlin Davis.

TBD South Korean Inbound Buying Mission* , Idaho
A group of foodservice/high-end retail importers and distributors from South Korea will be visiting Idaho and surrounding states. The buyers will be looking for a wide range of products including meat, dairy ingredients, produce, wine, specialty foods, and other foodservice products. This is a great opportunity to learn about the both markets in a low cost, low risk avenue. For more information, or to participate, contact Katlin Davis.

TBD Taiwan Inbound Buying Mission*, Idaho
A group of foodservice/high-end retail importers and distributors from Taiwan will be visiting Idaho and surrounding states. The buyers will be looking for a wide range of foodservice products. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Taiwan market in a low cost, low risk avenue. For more information, or to participate, contact Kim Peterson.

TBD Southeast Asia Inbound Buying Mission*, Idaho
A group of foodservice/high-end retail importers and distributors from two Southeast Asian nations will be visiting Idaho and surrounding states. The buyers will be looking for a wide range of foodservice products. This is a great opportunity to learn more about both markets in a low cost, low risk avenue. For more information, or to participate, contact Kim Peterson.

TBD Mexico and Central America Produce Inbound Buying Mission*, Idaho
Produce buyers from wholesale distributors, retail supermarket chains, and food service companies will visit Idaho to source onions, potatoes, tree fruit, and other produce. Idaho companies will have the opportunity to meet with buyers from Mexico and Central America to arrange sales and shipments. For more information, or to participate, contact Katlin Davis.

TBD HRI Outbound Mission to Mexico & Produce Demonstration*, Idaho
WUSATA, in conjunction with the Washington and Idaho State Departments of Agriculture, will conduct a trade mission to Mexico City and Cancun, Mexico for companies looking to expand their presence in the hotel and restaurant industry (HRI) in Mexico. The HRI market in Mexico represents great export opportunities for U.S. suppliers of food and beverages. Mexican consumers are well-aware of the quality of U.S. products but buyers insist on having product samples tested in hotels and/or restaurants. This trade mission gives companies the opportunity to meet one-on-one with importers, distributors and industry professionals. The trade mission will also include a reception where each company’s products will be highlighted. For more information, or to participate, contact Katlin Davis.

 

  For more information:

Laura Johnson : 208-332-8533 or laura.johnson@agri.idaho.gov
 Lacey Menasco: 208-332-8538 or lacey.menasco@agri.idaho.gov
Leah Clark : 208-332-8684 or leah.clark@agri.idaho.gov
 Kim Peterson : 208-332-8532 or kim.peterson@agri.idaho.gov
Katlin Davis : 208-332-8532 or katlin.davis@agri.idaho.gov
Skylar Jett: 208-332-8542 or skylar.jett@agri.idaho.gov

* WUSATA ( Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association) Sponsored Promotion