Features Production Research
NAFDMA workshops take it to next level

November 26, 2010,
Southampton, MA – Twelve different workshops will be offered for farm
direct marketing and agritourism operators on February 9, 2011 at the Hyatt
Regency Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland.

November 26, 2010,
Southampton, MA – Twelve different workshops will be offered for farm
direct marketing and agritourism operators on February 9, 2011 at the Hyatt
Regency Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland. 

The workshops will take
place on Education Day, as part of the annual convention held by North American
Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA). The entire convention runs
February 4 to 10, 2011.

Attendees can choose
from one of six full day workshops, or mix and match half-day workshops.
Workshops can be attended as part of an inclusive registration package, or a
one-day only attendance. Registration includes breakfast and lunch as well as
materials specific to the chosen workshop. Morning and full day workshops begin
at 9 a.m., and break for lunch at noon. Full-day workshops restart and
afternoon workshops begin at 1:30 p.m., all workshops end at 4:30 p.m.

Customers are
increasingly knowledgeable about what they want from farm visits. Learning what
it takes to be competitive in today's marketplace and understanding where
trends will go in the future is essential for farm direct marketers. Whether
the subject matter is new to the farm operation, or builds on what is already
being done, the line-up of topics and speakers on NAFDMA’s 2011 Education Day
will help take businesses to the next level.

Workshop presentations
include food marketing expert, Dr. Richard George who 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 levity in the workplace can make a
business more effective and productive, thus increasing the bottom line.

Lovoni Walker, host of
the popular national Canadian food show Simple, Fresh, Delicious, will present
two half day workshops. In the morning, she will equip attendees with the
necessary tools and resources to set up and run a cooking school on the farm.
She will conduct a cooking class in the afternoon. See the practical tips and
techniques for holding successful cooking classes as Lovoni puts it all into
practice as she demonstrates with limited equipment just how easily it can be
done.

For those agritourism
operators who offer parties on the farm, Frank W. Price, founder of Birthday
University, will present information on today’s party consumer and what they
really want. Those in this workshop will get specific tools to evolve their
party concept, become unique and capable of mass customizing. Franks approach
is to teach a simplified, low cost party marketing strategy, add simple yet
great service and give a little extra at the party table.

The slate of workshops
is rounded out by speakers from inside the industry to expose conference goers
to new ideas while maintaining relevance to their operations. The additional
workshops feature a workshop designed for folks who want to start up an agritourism
destination, one to cover the most important topics when considering adding or
expanding a bakery or food service and everything one needs to know about
adding a small scale apple orchard to diversify an agritourism operation.

Full details on all the
workshops and their featured speakers can be found on the NAFDMA convention
website at www.nafdma.com/NAFDMA2011.