NCDA&CS food business specialist Annette Dunlap offers resources that agribusiness owners and food entrepreneurs can use to grow and manage their business. Annette is available for free one-on-one consultations and can assist business owners with financial and market planning through the agribusiness development section. She can be reached at annette.dunlap@ncagr.gov.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqyUd5BJEjM
Trade shows can be an effective tool for expanding your food business. In the video above, we discuss the three key things to keep in mind when planning for trade shows.
- Choose Trade Shows that Fit Your Company: Not all trade shows are created equal, and not all trade shows are right for all companies. Spend some time looking over a trade show calendar, contacting trade show organizers and finding the right show for your company.
- Set Your Goals: What do you want to get out of the trade show? Are you there to get your name out? Do you want to make business contacts? Are you there to sell your product? Before you attend a trade show, figure out what you hope to accomplish from the event.
- Follow Up: Whatever your goals are, remember to follow up within 10 days of the trade show. This will ensure that you and your product are still fresh in the minds of your contacts.
If you follow these steps, you should be able to get the most out of trade shows and help your food business grow in the coming year.Yours to success!
Local food entrepreneurs meet in April.
REMINDER: The next food entrepreneur roundtable discussion will be in Raleigh Thursday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. Laura Kornegay of Nash Produce will share her experiences in working trade shows. The discussion is free to attend, but pre-registration is required. Please register by December 10 via this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Q2WDY89.