Learn how Grand Traverse Pie Co and others use funding to grow their sales through trade shows

February 5, 2025 12:00PM - 1:00PM

Registration Deadline: February 4, 2025 - 11:59PM

Zoom

Contact: Kendra Wills at willsk@msu.edu

Date: February 5, 2025

Time: Noon - 1:00 PM

Join MDARD's International Marketing Team for an overview of their free services and easy-to-access funding connections to grow your food, farming or beverage business. This program can help increase sales in the US while dipping your toes into the international market. Hear from other Michigan food companies who have used these programs, including Drench salad dressings, Hummus Goodness, and Grand Traverse Pie Company.

Speakers:  Holly Gaffney and Elissa Mutschler, International Marketing Program Coordinators with the International Marketing Program in the Agriculture Development Bureau of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)

Elissa Mutschler and Holly Gaffney are International Marketing Program Coordinators with the International Marketing Program in the Agriculture Development Bureau within the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). They work to assist Michigan food and agricultural businesses develop domestic and international market opportunities.

Elissa grew up showing hogs at her county fair and now serves as a 4-H Club Leader in the Swine Department. She was active in the Saranac FFA Chapter receiving both her Michigan State FFA and American FFA Degrees. Elissa is a former member of Michigan State University’s National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Chapter where she competed on the national presentation team in 2018 and 2019.  She currently is a volunteer coach for the varsity sideline basketball cheer team in Saranac. She also serves as the Promotion and Education Chair for Ionia County Farm Bureau.

Elissa is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management.

Holly served nine years as Director of International Sales for a small plastics company in Northern Michigan before moving to the Detroit area in 2023 and taking a position with MDARD. Her job on MDARD’s International Marketing team focuses on one-on-one consultations, helping companies understand the resources best-suited to their individual needs. This includes reviewing opportunities to grow sales through tradeshows and other networking events, looking at available funding to support the afore-mentioned opportunities, and helping navigate the mechanics of export.

Holly is a graduate of Grand Valley State University.

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Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

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