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338.13 

 A7mva 

 Jul/Aug 2002 



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MONTANA STATE LIBRARY 



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3 0864 0014 9029 4 



Added 



NEWS ITE T T E R 



Montana Department ot Agriculmrc 



I Lily - August 2002 



"The secret of success is constancy to purpose." Benjamin Disreali 



^^frc 



ade Show Review Comer 



The Montana Department of Agriculture's Trade Show Assistance 

 Program is now offering information on trade shows that your 

 fellow Montana compames are attending. This resource mav be 

 useful when planning your trade show attendance for the coming 

 year. For information on other shows, visit the Trade Show 

 Review Corner Archives at www.agr.statc.mt.us /business / 

 TradcShowCorner.shtml. 



All Things Organic — Austin, Texas 



Co/Uiic/: Dale Power-Wells. (51") 5" 5-01 19 



Held annualh' in May, tins show is geared specifically for 

 compames sellmg orgamc ingredients and retail ready products, to 

 wholesale and retail buyers. Typically, there are 1,800 exhibitors 

 with over 10,000 national and international buyers attending the 

 show. According to a prior participant, it costs approxmiately 

 S4,000 to attend tins show (including booth space-$700, display- 

 variable, furnishings-S234, show services-$286, shipping and 

 storage-variable, advertising and promotion-variable, and travel 

 costs-variable). Advice from a past attendee: Tins show seems to be 

 oriented more towards ingredient, rather than retail products. However, 

 companies with retail products might do well to attend but not exhibit. 



National Restaurant Association — Chicago, Illinois 



Contact: Customer Service, (3 12) 853-2525 



Held annually in May, this show houses over 2,000 exhibitors who 

 aim their efforts at 70,000 national and international hospitalit}- 

 industry buyers. While the total cost fluctuates, many of the costs 

 of attending this show are considerable. Booth spaces cost 

 S24.50 per square foot (a 10' x 10' booth costs $2,450), and show 

 services can be quite expensive. Past attendee's advice: Tins show 

 IS very large, filled with booths that can be as big as 1 ,000 scjuare Jeet, but 

 don 't be overwhelmed! Be prepared to sell the buyers on service and 

 convenience. 



^^tontana Business Connections Online Resources 



An extensive database of resources for businesses, assistance 

 providers, and economic developers is available at the Umversm' of 

 Montana-Missoula. The Busmess Resource System of Montana 

 Business Connections (MBC) contains listings and links to many of 

 the organizations and programs that work with businesses throughout 

 the state. There are several ways to search and browse the database 

 and there is also a calendar of events relevant to Montana businesses. 

 www, mbc.umt.edu 



There is also an online resource for Montana's manufacturers, the 

 Montana Manufacturing Information System (MMIS). The goal of the 

 MMIS IS to make it easier for Montana's manufacturers to find out if 

 there are other Montana compames they can buy from, seU to, and 

 partner with before looking outside the state. It will also be a vehicle 

 for marketing their products, services and capabilities. Currendy the 

 MMIS contains mosdy wood products manufacmrers. Manufacmres 

 of machinery, equipment, instruments and fabricated metal products 

 are being added, and plans are under way to add the other sectors of 

 Montana's manufacmrmg industry. The MMIS is supported bv the 

 U.S. Department of Commerce. \\-\\-\vmniis.umt.cdu 



For more informauon on MBC or MMIS, contact Bob Campbell at 

 (406) 243-4009 or by e-mail ar bob.campbellfa'business.umt.edu . 



I 



From the 



Director '^ "\ 



The Montana 

 Department of 

 .Agriculture constantlv 

 stnvcs to provide better 

 service and support to 

 our industry partners. Our staff is always 

 ready to assist with any questions you 

 might have, as well as to pro\'idc valuable 

 information concerning your company's 

 business and marketing venmres. 

 Keeping up on market trends and 

 resource information can prov-e to be a 

 vital aspect of a successful business. 

 This issue of the newsletter provides 

 several sources of information to assist 

 your business. 



The world-wide-web provides a 

 wide range of information pertinent to 

 the food processing and value-added 

 agricultural industry. Business resources, 

 assistance organizations, research centers, 

 other food entrepreneurs, workshops, 

 federal guidelines and more can be found 

 with a few chcks of mouse. 



Another valuable resource on the 

 internet is the Montana Department of 

 Agriculture's website. The website at 

 \\^\-wagr.state.mt.us offers current 

 updates, department program listings and 

 descriptions, business and marketing 

 assistance and other available resources. 

 Be sure to visit the website and check for 

 all the happenings at the Montana 

 Department of Agriculture. 



I encourage you to utilize all the 

 assistance offered through the 

 department and wish you continued 

 success in your business endeavors. 



Sincerely, 



W Ralph Peck 



Steps to Agriculture Business 

 Development 



This online resource provides valuable and much 

 needed information to food and value-added 

 entrepreneurs. This intensive online resource 

 covers all aspects of developing a business, 

 including, introduction, the idea, organization, 

 feasibilit)', planmng, capital, production and 

 marketmg. Information available from this 

 resource provides one with a detailed outline to 

 developing an agriculmral business. The section; 

 include expert advice, quizzes, worksheets, 

 important details, strategies and more. The 

 website is located at 

 ww\\-.iowaagopp()rtunity.org/steps/ 



stepshomepage.html . 



