Certified South Carolina Showcase

1101 Lincoln Street,Columbia SC 29201

21 March, 2023

Description

Join us for the second annual Certified SC Showcase, a networking event and celebration of Certified South Carolina flavors and innovations. The Showcase provides an opportunity for buyers and producers to meet face-to-face, with an emphasis on the state’s abundant produce, meat and seafood, specialty food products, and marketing programs. Included is a trade show featuring SC farmers and producers, innovative educational sessions focused on market development/industry trends, and the Taste of SC reception sponsored by Arbor One and AgSouth Farm Credit featuring local ingredients and ample networking opportunities.Hotel Information: CLICK HERE to reserve your room at the Hilton Columbia Center / 924 Senate St. Columbia / Reserve by 2/25/23 for $125/night group rate Schedule Monday, March 20th 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Optional Exhibitor Set Up / Ballroom B&C Tuesday, March 21st 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Exhibitor Set up / Ballroom B&C/ coffee & water available 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Tradeshow Open for ALL attendees/ SC Producers exhibit their products and make connections with potential buyers and peers 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch and Keynote/ Ballroom A 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM: Education Session 1A&1B Lexington A: What's in your Retail Toolkit? The retail market is a wide world to navigate, so plain.stated. wants to help you build your toolkit. Diana Earwood, an agricultural liaison passionate about connecting growers and producers with markets, will facilitate discussion to encourage you to understand the requirements of your target retailer, assess your competition, consider what partnerships are necessary to support your goals, and determine why marketing and promotional opportunities matter. Come ready to network with your industry peers, share your experiences, and feel confident about what's next for you. Lexington room B: Bringing the Farm to School; Curious about school markets? This presentation will provide producers with the training and knowledge needed to expand their markets to schools, while giving insight into the school procurement process. Additionally, attendees will hear from school food service staff and producers that have experienced success with their farm to school programs. 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM: Education Session 2A&2B Lexington A: SUSTA 101; Could international trade be an opportunity for growth in your business? The Southern United States Trade Assistance Program (SUSTA) is a regional non-profit trade association that assists small agribusinesses to promote their brands internationally and increase exports from the Southern U.S. Learn about the export assistance, international events, and cost-share programs available to you and imagine your product being enjoyed around the world. Lexington B: SC Specialty Crop Growers Association Annual Meeting; The annual meeting will consist of a review of the prior year, budget and scholarship updates, board member elections, and an open floor session. Additionally, the Assistant Director of the SC Farm Bureau Government Relations Division, Chalmers Mikell, will provide a policy update on issues relevant to the specialty crop industry. Finally, the USDA Farm Service Agency will be presenting about their Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). Only current members of the SC SCGA will be eligible to vote during the meeting, but all specialty crop growers and allies are welcome to attend!4:15 PM-5:00 PM: Education Session 3A&3B Lexington A: Mushroom growers breakout networking session Lexington B: Cut flower growers breakout networking session 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM: The Taste Reception / Mingle, network, and enjoy Certified South Carolina hors d’oeuvres at this reception sponsored by Arbor One and AgSouth Farm Credit. /Richland and LL Pre-function (1st Fl)