Commerce Celebrates 40 Years of Made in Montana Program at Annual Tradeshow
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce will celebrate 40 years of its Made in Montana Program at the annual Made in Montana Tradeshow for Food and Gifts, March 8 and 9 at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds in Helena. This two-day event offers an opportunity for businesses to market their products to wholesale buyers and also gives the public a chance to shop for locally made goods. “Commerce’s Made in Montana Program helps grow and expand Montana’s economy by providing a unique platform for local businesses to forge relationships and build success,” said Paul Green, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “For forty years, this program has featured the best foods and gifts produced or grown in Montana; we’re looking forward to another show filled with unique, high-quality products.”
For 26 years, the Tradeshow has been a premiere and much-anticipated selling opportunity for Made in Montana companies through its Wholesale Day and a public Retail Day.
Friday, March 8 is reserved for wholesale buyers. The exhibit floor is open for buyers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and provides a one-stop marketplace for Made in Montana food and gift producers to meet and sell their products to store buyers for resale. This day is an opportunity for new and growing small businesses to learn the basics of the wholesale marketplace.
Saturday, March 9 is open to the public to shop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the latest in Made in Montana food, gifts and other products. Exhibitors will sell directly to the public at retail prices while building brand awareness and gaining new customers.
During the show, a selection committee will evaluate all of the attending Made in Montana members and products and will judge businesses who represent the best of the Made in Montana brand for food and gift markets. The awards recognize exhibitors’ efforts to use their booths as part of their marketing strategies. The awards will include Best in Show, Best in Show - New Exhibitor, Best in Show - Honorable Mention and the Retailer of the Year.
There are more than 2,700 Made in Montana members. For more information about the Made in Montana program, visit madeinmontanausa.com.
Tags: Made in Montana Program