MARKETING SERVICES

Virginia’s Specialty Food Advisory Committee (SFAC), in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), is pleased to host the 2011 Virginia Specialty Food and Beverage Educational Conference.   The annual educational conference unites new and veteran Virginia specialty food and beverage producers, distributors, retailers and friends of the industry to network, learn from the experts and keep up with trends in the specialty food industry.  Learn how to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities for Virginia entrepreneurs to successfully bring their culinary creations to market and gain or maintain their status as a market leader. The educational conference does all of this and more.

*New Guest Speaker*

Virginia's Deputy Secretary for Rural Economic Development, Ms. Mary Rae Carter, will serve as keynote speaker during the first morning of the conference.   Deputy Carter will address "The Economy Today and Virginia Businesses."   Governor Bob McDonnell appointed Ms. Carter Virginia's first Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for Rural Economic Development in March 2010.  The Deputy Secretary assists in the development, communication and implementation of policies and strategies with regards to rural economic development and job creation.

The 2011 Educational Conference is proud to present several additional dynamic guest speakers, including Mr. Tony Cox, Founder of the 5th Food Group. The 5th Food Group, launched in 1998, is the largest direct marketing consultancy working exclusively in the specialty food Internet and catalog industry. Mr. Cox will lead an exciting discussion on “Making E-commerce Work for You,” incorporating hands-on, proven techniques to increase traffic to and sales from your specialty food website. You will leave this session with several practical ideas and techniques that you can implement immediately in your business to boost website traffic, reduce online marketing expenses and increase sales from your website.

Also lending his expertise is Mr. Ed Howie, President of BRAND-TRUE.  Founded in 2003, BRAND-TRUE has a proven track record of developing and executing clever and cost-effective communications.  Mr. Howie has over 20 years of marketing and operational leadership with Chick-fil-A, Atlanta Bread Company and H-E-B Grocery.  Mr. Howie will guide Virginia producers through the “Trend Toward Private Labeling.”  As BRAND-TRUE’s company website states, “To sell more, you must have a clear message and then use the right methods to connect that message with those that care (or should care).”

Other guest speakers include:
Mr. Patrick Evans-Hylton, Banker-turned-Johnson & Wales trained chef
Senior Editor for Food and Wine at Hampton Roads Magazine
Executive Editor for Virginia Wine Lover Magazine
Presenting the “History of Virginia Cuisine ~ How to Build Your Story”

Mr. Ron Tanner, NASFT Vice President
Communications, Education, Government & Industry Relations
Presenting the “2011 Specialty Food Consumer”

Key Topics for the 2011 Educational Conference
Making E-commerce Work for You
Trend Toward Private Labeling
Financing Sources for Virginia Businesses
Food Safety
The 2011 Specialty Food Consumer
History of Virginia Cuisine ~ How to Build Your Story
Making a Name for Yourself in the Global Marketplace - Export Workshop
Choose the Commonwealth
Retail Roundtable

Please feel free to contact Olivia with any questions at olivia.wilson@vdacs.virginia.gov or dial 804.786.2112. Thank you.