May 21, 2007

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Food Export Association of the Midwest (formerly MIATCO) will
co-host a workshop to bolster international marketing for state companies. The workshop, "Getting Started in Exporting," will be held on June 14 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, Mich., and will enhance Michigan companies' knowledge of exporting and how to target top export markets for their products.

"This workshop lays the groundwork for participating in our $960 million agricultural export market," said MDA Director Mitch Irwin. "With our state's diverse and high-quality agricultural products, succeeding in the global marketplace just requires an effective marketing strategy on the part of Michigan companies."

Dennis Lynch, Food Export Helpline® Counselor for Food Export Association of the Midwest, will present the basics on a wide range of exporting issues, including:

• how to determine a company’s ‘export readiness’
• how to prepare quotes for trade leads
• understanding terms-of-sale and payment
• selecting the best method of distribution for your products
• resources to assist food companies.

Workshop registration ends June 1, and costs $50. All pre-registered attendees will receive: a top 25 export market report for their product; automatic enrollment in Trade Lead Connection; workshop handouts; Global Food Marketer, and Food Export Association of the Midwest’s newsletter. Registration also includes lunch and morning and afternoon breaks.

For more information on agriculture exporting, or to receive a workshop registration form, please contact Jamie Zmitko-Somers, MDA International Marketing Specialist, at (517) 241-3628 or zmitkoj@michigan.gov.