October 11, 2006

LANSING -Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Mitch Irwin announced today that in 2007 state food and agriculture companies will have a more prominent opportunity to develop and/or expand their export markets at one of the largest, most prestigious food shows in the nation.

MDA is sponsoring a Michigan Pavilion at the U.S. Food Export Showcase (USFES) of the Food Marketing Institute's Supermarket Industry Exposition in May 2007. Held annually in Chicago, this is North America's largest food show with about 20,000 domestic food buyers and 6,000 international buyers from nearly 100 countries.

"USFES has proven to be instrumental in helping small and medium-sized Michigan companies highlight their products, tap new markets or increase their sales," said Irwin. "The show has led to more than $1 million in sales for Michigan companies over the past few years."

For the first time, USFES and the state's pavilion will be in a prime, highly coveted spot near the show's main front entrance. Currently, there are only 20 spaces available and the cost is $2,600 for a 10x10 booth in the Michigan pavilion. MDA is offering these spaces for $2,200 - a $400 discount for companies who pay in full by November 13, 2006. MDA must receive all registration forms and payments by 5 p.m. on December 1, 2006.

Organized annually by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, USFES attracts significant interest throughout Asia and
the Americas.

To reserve a booth, for more information on the show, or to receive other export assistance for Michigan food and agriculture products, contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers in MDA's Agriculture Development Division at 517-241-3628, via e-mail at zmitkoja@michigan.gov or visit www.mdainternational.com.