Save the Date – NAFDMA Will be Blazing Trails in the Pacific Northwest

Southampton, MA, June 10, 2012 --(PR.com)-- North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA) will hold its 28th annual Convention in Portland, Oregon on February 1-6, 2013 at the Portland DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lloyd Center. Blaze Trails is the theme of the 2013 NAFDMA Convention. The Convention comprises of a three-day bus tour, and a three day conference and trade show. This event brings farm direct marketers and agritourism operators networking opportunities as well as farm business-centered venues featuring exclusive farm visits, intensive workshops, relevant exhibitors, informative sessions and round table discussions.

For the first time in time in twenty years, NAFDMA will return to the Pacific Northwest. The Convention also coordinates with North American Strawberry Growers Association (NASGA), North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association (NARBA), and Pacific Northwest Farm Direct Marketing Association (PNWFDMA) and their annual conferences, giving attendees the chance to take in “one trip, one hotel, four organizations”.

Convention Highlights
Bus Tour – The convention begins with a three-day School on Wheels. This popular tour will travel from Portland to Seattle, Washington to Willamette Valley, Oregon. Each bus will have an individualized focus to give attendees an in depth opportunity to network and share subject matter that is important to them.

Trade Show and Participation Day – This unique trade show features the latest products and services available for farm retail and on-farm entertainment. Along with the trade show, this day offers numerous organized and informal events to network and learn from others.

Workshops and Sessions – A day of full-day workshops and mix and match half day workshops will bring professional speakers from the industry as well as some from outside the industry who will provide information on how essential business practices can help grow a farm retail business. Track topics for the day of concurrent and general sessions will include Farm Retail, Food on the Farm, Employee Management, and Technology for Promotion.

Networking Opportunities – The NAFDMA Convention is an excellent place for direct marketing farmers and agritourism operators to connect with other like-minded people to share and collect information. Attendees will find new ideas, new products and new inspiration – whether their farm is relatively new, or has been in the family for generations. Blaze Trails Pacific Northwest 2013 offers great opportunities through contests celebrating the best practices for NAFDMA members, roundtable discussions, town hall meetings, and receptions.

For further information on the 2013 NAFDMA Convention, please visit www.nafdma.com/PNW2013.