Conference promotes business-to-business networking and business development sessions MANHATTAN, Kan. – The From the Land of Kansas annual conference is February 26-27, 2015, in Manhattan, Kansas. The conference will include the annual meeting for members and partners as well as a wholesale trade show.
“The annual meeting is an opportunity for trademark members to network with other Kansas entrepreneurs,” said Stacy Mayo, From the Land of Kansas director. “In addition, guest speakers will present on a variety of topics that should be beneficial to our members who are interested in growing and improving their businesses.”
The members attending will be able to hear from experts in the agriculture, marketing and food industries. A few areas of interest are:
- Tips to the new rules of marketing: Creating your own content
- Attracting new employees and engaging your workforce
- Social media introduction: What platforms should I consider?
- Understanding expansion funding options
- Agritourism liability coverage: what you need to know about managing the risks associated with your agritourism activities
- Roundtable on local foods:Restaurants wanting to source and farmers looking to sell
- Grant writing
Melissa Hildebrand-Reed, with Hildebrand Farms Dairy, attended the conference in 2014 and gained much from her experience. “The
From the Land of Kansas annual meeting provided an ideal environment for networking with other Kansas product companies,” said Reed. “The information we learned from the other producers and business owners helped guide us in many ways. We also enjoyed sharing our personal successes and obstacles to help others.”
As a benefit of membership and partnership, each member and partner is able to send one representative to the meeting for free if they register by January 15, 2015. Additional attendees are $45. Registration information is on the website at FromtheLandofKansas.com/AMeeting.
The trade show is designed to give buyers and retail stores the opportunity to meet with a multitude of Kansas companies in one location. The trade show will feature high-quality products including bakery, soup and dip mixes, dairy products, granola and snack mixes, sauces, marinades, rubs, seasonings, proteins and more. If you are interested in registering as a buyer or exhibiting, visit www.FromtheLandofKansas.com/tradeshow for more information.
“At the trade show last year, we discovered several new products to sell in our store such as Cashmere Popcorn, Kansas Foods Honey, Holmes Made Salsas and Prairie Harvest products,” Reed said. “The trade show also prompted the conversation that led to us selling our dairy products in Prairie Harvest Market in Newton. It was well worth the time to attend the meeting. We will be there this year, eager to see what we can do to grow our farm in 2015.”
Meeting sponsorships are still available. For additional information, visit www.FromtheLandofKansas.com/AMeeting. Information on trade show booth space can be found at www.FromtheLandofKansas.com/Tradeshow. Please contact trademark director, Stacy Mayo, 785-564-6759
785-564-6759 for additional information. The From the Land of Kansas program is housed within the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
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From the Land of Kansas is Kansas’ agriculture trademark program. The program’s goal is to identify and help businesses that grow, produce, process or manufacture products in Kansas. In addition, the program works with and supports restaurants using Kansas products and retailers selling Kansas products and ingredients. The From the Land of Kansas website is a tool to help consumers discover Kansas food and agricultural products, services and experiences from the farm all the way to the fork. Follow the program’s story and meet its members on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.