At the Annual NAFDMA Convention,There’s Still a Whole Lot More to Learn!

The 26th Annual Convention held by North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) will take place on Feb. 4 – 10, 2011. The convention features a three-day bus tour, a day of intensive workshops, and a conference and tradeshow. The Hyatt Regency Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland will be the home base for the Convention. This hotel on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor will set the stage for the comfortable, intimate setting of fellowship and networking that the NAFDMA Convention is known for.

"This region is a hotbed for customer trends. It forecasts what will be seen across the continent," says Charlie Touchette, NAFDMA's Executive Director. "It's amazing how consumer sensitivity has shifted over the past 5 years. We'll put a spotlight on the wants and needs of customers in today's culture and economy. Convention attendees will come away with a better handle on how to hold the attention of customers back home.''

There is Still a Whole Lot More to Learn is the theme of the 2011 NAFDMA Convention. The bus tour returns to the Mid-Atlantic region where the farm markets and agritourism operations of many long-time NAFDMA members will be showcased. The workshops and sessions will provide the attendees with the tools and information they need to move to the next steps in their businesses. Complete Convention information will be available at www.nafdma.com/NAFDMA2011

Bus Tour
The Networking Bus Tour will be held on Feb. 5-7 and offer two different bus tour options. Option One is the farm direct marketing tour. The buses on this tour will visit several farm market stops. The brand new post and beam style market building at Richardson Farms will be a highlight of this tour. Option Two is the agritourism tour. Linvilla Orchards will be just one of the stops on this tour option. For both options, the tour will begin in Baltimore and overnight for two nights in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tour goers will have the chance to visit the historic sights of the city and learn farm direct marketing ideas from the famous Reading Terminal Market. A complete list of tour stops for each tour option will be available on the web site.

Workshops

Wednesday, Feb. 9 will offer six full day workshops and eight mix and match half day workshops. Education Day is a day full of thought provoking, entertaining and timely workshops. We are happy to announce that food marketing expert, Dr. Richard George will present a workshop on connecting with today’s customers. John Stanley of Australia, a NAFDMA Convention favorite and expert in retail design, will be returning this year to help farm market owners meet the challenges in the industry. Brad Montgomery’s workshop “Laugh-o-Nomics” will focus on how those who enjoy what they are doing are more effective and productive, thus increasing your farm’s bottom line. An off-site workshop highlighting culinary trends on the farm will also be offered.

Conference
The featured workshop presenters will return on Thurs. Feb. 10 along with nearly forty additional presenters for Innovation Day. This year’s conference will feature seven tracks, including U-Pick, Food Service on the Farm, and Family Dynamics. The Technology track will offer sessions on the social media options available for marketing your business in today’s world.Trade ShowAs many as 90 trade show booths will promote the latest products and services available to farm direct marketers and agritourism operators. Exhibitors will also have the opportunity to showcase their products in a 30 minute live demonstration. Vendor applications will be accepted starting on Sept. 15. The complete trade show vendor packet will be on the web site. The Trade Show will be open Feb. 7-9.

Learnings from the North American Farmer’s Direct Marketing Association

This year’s convention took place in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. We had a three day tour prior to a three day conference. Lots of learning and tons of networking. Just thought I’d share a few insights from the innovative farmers who were on my bus.

Add an inexpensive activity.
Activities don’t need to be complicated or cost a lot of money. You can make a big bang with something as simple as a slide. Kids and adults alike love a giant slide!

Go mobile.
Put wheels on your bins. It makes moving produce into the cooler that much easier at the end of the day. This orchard had a small electric pallet mover that they used to make moving a cinch.

No one can resist a cookie.
Cookie decorating can keep families in your business longer. The longer they linger, the more they buy. (Farm animal cookie cutters make a unique gift item at your farm themed shop.)

Fast “Comfort” food.
Cherry Crest sells peanut butter & jam sandwiches and mac n’ cheese. You could have some fun localizing these to your farm. Make your own jam from your berries and Alberta noodles or cheese in your signature dish.

Lighting makes a world of difference.
Honey looks angelic when lit from behind on the shelf.

Sell less. Make more.
You’ll make more money selling pie by the slice or half. The half clam shell package will cost you a bit more so you need to know your costs but selling smaller portions does yield bigger returns.

Enter from the back.
Filling shelves from behind is smart. The oldest product is always out front. This way you don’t have to be in the aisles restocking shelves while customers shop. It’s all done behind the scenes. (Think how milk is sold.)

Birthday parties are hot.
Take a cooking class and turn it into a birthday party. It’s gaining popularity. Customer service is key! Remember that Mom is the customer not the birthday child. Make Mom’s experience the best ever.

Mark your calendar. Join us in Baltimore, February 4-11, 2011 for the next NAFDMA convention. Details will unfold later this summer. http://www.nafdma.com/

This article was written by Kerry Engel, NAFDMA Board of Directors, VP of Convention Operations and previously published in the July 2010 NAFDMA Newsletter.