| | Well, actually, a Chinook isn’t such a bad thing. A Chinook is a warm, dry wind that descends from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains causing a rapid rise in temperature. And that’s exactly what’s going to happen at the 2007 North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) convention in Calgary next February. Things are going to heat up at Grow West!
“From February 12 to 17, 2007, NAFDMA is hosting its 23rd annual convention in Calgary,” says Kerry Engel, industrial development officer with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development’s Farm Direct Marketing Initiative and director for Canada West, NAFDMA. “Aptly named, Grow West, anticipates attendance in excess of 700 participants from six countries, including 40 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces.”
Participants will be able to customize their learning opportunities by choosing from the planned components – a bus tour, workshop or conference. Take part in one learning option or all three.
February 15, 2007, is workshop day at the convention. It will feature a full day of interactive and stimulating on- and off-site workshops. New this year, NAFDMA and Team Alberta have coordinated customized off-site training at Spruce Meadows (www.sprucemeadows.com) and the Calgary Zoo.
“More than 25 conference sessions will be offered over two of the conference days – February 16 and 17, 2007,” says Engel. “Session topics include: creating marketing messages, developing a meat case, culinary tourism, tipping points, branding, marketing partnerships, and many more. A diverse group of speakers, farm direct and ag tourism industry leaders, plus marketing and retail experts are included on the agenda.
“NAFDMA is all about cultivating creativity, strengthening networks, diversifying agriculture and investing in the future of agriculture, and it’s coming to Calgary.”
This year’s convention is being presented in partnership with the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association, Alberta Farmers’ Market Association, APF Renewal and Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
Convention details are available on-line , or by calling the NAFDMA offices at 1-888-884-9270. Registration packages will be available on the website after November 1, 2006.
The conference headquarters are located at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Calgary. A convention rate of $129/night is available for participants. The toll-free central reservations phone number is 1-800-233-1234.
Take time to grow next year…Grow West 2007!
Contact: Kerry Engel (780) 644-2967 Cell: (780) 349-9017 Fax: (780) 422-6096 |
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