REGISTER TODAY: Virginia's Finest Educational Conference 2019

 
 

Cost

Varied
Registration is now closed!
 
 

Information

Date:
03/11/2019 - 03/12/2019
Location:
Omni Richmond Hotel
Address:
100 S 12th Street Richmond, VA 23219
Event Size:
116 seats
Description:

Specialty crafted food and drink producers, learn how to grow your business!  

At the Virginia's Finest Educational Conference, you will learn:

 

  • Scaling your business outside of your region  
  • Tips on starting a specialty food business
  • Food Safety - the most up-to-date news in the industry
  • Marketing through Point-of-Sale
  • Virginia’s Finest® designation - how can it benefit you

 

Plus, network and be a part of our Power Pitch session - sell directly to buyers that we recruit.  You will have one-on-one meetings with scheduled buyers.


Virginia’s Specialty Food Advisory Committee (SFAC), in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and Virginia Tech’s Department of Food Science and Technology, is pleased to present this interactive and energizing conference.

Attendees connect with nationally recognized industry experts focused on specialty food trends, product pricing, sales, marketing and food safety.  The best part - leave the conference armed with practical ideas and techniques to take back and implement immediately!


The conference package includes all presentations, programs, workshops, as well as Monday breakfast, Monday lunch, Monday dinner, Tuesday breakfast and a boxed lunch on Tuesday afternoon to take on the road with you.


The conference fee for attendees is $189.  We hope to see you! 



Agenda

Monday, March 11, 2019
8:00 a.m.
Conference Registration: Join us in our Vendor Hall for Continental Breakfast, Tastings & Networking
8:00a.m. - 9:00a.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room
9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks: What can Virginia's Finest do for you?
9:00a.m. - 9:30a.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room
9:30 a.m.
Scaling Your Specialty Food Business with Austin Green, Hatch Kitchen & Area Distributors
9:30a.m. - 10:30a.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room: Landing the Right Co-Manufacturers + Distribution Models
10:30 a.m.
Morning Break and Visit with Exhibitors
10:30a.m. - 10:45a.m.
10:45 a.m.
Marketing Your Specialty Food Business with Stephanie Ganz, Piet Jones, Roby Martin & Samantha Kanip
10:45a.m. - 12:15p.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room: The Art of Selling Through Social + Influencer Outreach
12:15 p.m.
Group Lunch Buffet & Table Topics
12:15p.m. - 1:15p.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room: Industry Discussions - Packaging, Trademarks and Co-Packers
1:15 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Jim Roman, Founder and CEO of Association Leadership Institute (ALI)
1:15p.m. - 2:00p.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room
2:00 p.m.
Food Safety - Hot Topics with Dr. Rob Williams and Joell Eifert
2:00p.m. - 2:45p.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room
2:45 p.m.
Afternoon Break
2:45p.m. - 3:00p.m.
3:00 p.m.
Selling at the Fancy Food Show - Panel Discussion moderated by Stephanie Agee
3:00p.m. - 3:45p.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room with AR's Hot Southern Honey, Mother Shrub, Pastry Base, Gunther's Gourmet
3:45 p.m.
Goal Setting to Grow Your Business with The Apple Cart & Rob Reper of Taste
3:45p.m. - 4:30p.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room - Preparing for Your Power Pitch ~ What Buyers are Looking for?
5:30 p.m.
Evening Reception & Plated Dinner
5:30p.m. - 8:00p.m.
Location:
1st Floor Magnolia Room
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
8:00 a.m.
Join us in our Vendor Hall for Breakfast Buffet, Tastings & Networking
8:00a.m. - 9:00a.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room
9:00 a.m.
The Art of the Sale presented by JJ White, Dale Carnegie
9:00a.m. - 9:45a.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room
10:00 a.m.
Morning Break & Networking
10:00a.m. - 10:15a.m.
10:15 a.m.
The Power Pitch: Meet One-on-One with Industry Buyers
10:15a.m. - 1:00p.m.
Location:
2nd Floor Potomac Room - Boxed Lunches served during the Pitch Session

Sessions

Conference Attendees
03/11/2019 - 03/12/2019
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Cost: *** Registration is now closed ***
Specialty crafted food and drink producers of Virginia, learn how to grow your business!  
At this conference, you'll learn:

  • Scaling your business outside of your region  
  • Tips on starting a specialty food business
  • Food Safety - the most up-to-date news in the industry
  • Marketing through Point-of-Sale
  • Virginia’s Finest® designation - how can it benefit you

 

Plus, network and be a part of our Power Pitch session - sell directly to buyers that we recruit.


Conference Exclusive Gold Sponsor
03/11/2019 - 03/12/2019
8:00 a.m. - 11:59 a.m.
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Cost: *** Registration is now closed ***
Serve as the exclusive top tier Conference 2019 Sponsor.
Your sponsorship benefits include:
-Two full registrations, including all conference meals for two individuals
-One complimentary exhibit table
-Company logo displayed throughout conference and in printed materials
-Opportunity to speak during the conference
-List of attendees
Dinner Sponsor
3/11/2019
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Cost: *** Registration is now closed ***
Serve as the Conference Dinner 2019 Sponsor.
Your sponsorship benefits include:
-Two Monday night dinner tickets
-Opportunity to speak during the group dinner
-Company logo displayed throughout conference and in printed materials
-List of attendees

Lunch Sponsor
03/11/2019 - 03/12/2019
11:00 a.m. - 11:59 a.m.
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Cost: *** Registration is now closed ***
Serve as a conference lunch sponsor.
Your sponsorship benefits include:
-One lunch ticket
-Opportunity to speak during lunch
-Company logo displayed throughout conference and in printed materials
Morning Sponsor
3/11/2019
8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Cost: *** Registration is now closed ***
Serve as a conference morning sponsor.
Your sponsorship benefits include:
-One morning admission ticket
-Opportunity to speak during the morning session
-Company logo displayed throughout conference and in printed materials
NEW THIS YEAR for ATTENDEES - The Tasting Ticket!
03/11/2019 - 03/12/2019
7:00 a.m. - 11:59 a.m.
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Cost: *** Registration is now closed ***

NEW THIS YEAR - The Tasting Ticket 
The tasting ticket includes one registration, a tasting table in our vendor area, photography of your products by Fred + Elliott during the sessions, and the ability to sample to our buyers during the Power Pitch from your table. 
Space is limited to 15, so sign up today.  
$250 before January 24th, $300 after until the space fills.



Power Pitch Buyer - Only Buyers Register Here
3/12/2019
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Omni Richmond Hotel
Cost: *** Registration is now closed ***
We are thrilled to introduce you to Virginia specialty crafted food and beverage manufacturers during our Power Pitch session.  By participating as a buyer on March 12, you will meet one-on-one with producers, taste and sample their newest and bestselling products and hear their company stories.  The Virginia’s Finest program will also offer additional incentives to all registered buyers.
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Contact Information: Phone 1.800.284.9452
Office of Promotions | Division of Marketing
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
102 Governor Street
Richmond, VA, USA 23219