Related Industry Meetings
Industry groups are welcome to host meetings in conjunction with All Things Organic™ 2009. For more information please contact Marissa Potter at mpotter@ota.com or call 413-376-1231.
NOP Accredited Certifier’s Meeting
Monday, June 15th :: 10am – 5pm :: Room E265
Representatives of the National Organic Program (NOP) will meet with accredited certifying agents to discuss policies and procedures for conducting certification to the NOP regulations. Topics of discussion will include compliance and investigation procedures; organic system plan review and certification; labeling; and materials and inputs review and approval. Participation is by invitation only and is limited to NOP accredited certifying agents. Pre-registration is required. For more information contact Mark Bradley, Chief; Accreditation, Auditing and Training, Branch, at mark.bradley@ams.usda.gov.
Canadian Organic Standards Training Workshop
Monday, June 15, 8am – 5pm :: Tuesday, June 16, 8am – 4pm :: Room E261
The Organic Trade Association in Canada and the International Organic Inspectors Association are co-sponsoring a 2-day workshop, Understanding the Canadian Organic Regime. This is the most up-to-date and complete training available on the Canadian Organic Regime (COR). Covering the new standard, regulations and labeling, the workshop will be held on Monday, June 15, and Tuesday, June 16. A one-day processor option is available on Monday, June 15. This is the first such training to be held in the US. Day 1 is particularly useful for those involved in processing, labeling, exporting, or marketing organic products in Canada. The intensive workshop covers the structure of the COR, the Canadian regulation, processing standards, and labeling. Day 2 covers the Crop and Livestock Production Standards. The training includes key differences between Canadian standards and those of the major trading partners, including USA. Certificates of Completion will be awarded to those attending Day 1 only and to those who attend both days. Pre-registration is required. Deadline to apply is Monday June 1. Access the registration form here. For more information contact Margaret Scoles at (406) 436-2031or email mscoles@rangeweb.net.
Breakfast and Education Session for Canadian Companies
Tuesday, June 16 :: 8:00am – 10:15am :: Room E258 (Breakfast starts at 7:30am)
Canadian companies interested in expanding their presence in the US are invited to attend an education session geared specifically to the organic market in the US. Themes on the agenda include organic trends and opportunities, Nature's Path's success story, and tips on building a successful Canadian organic brand in the U.S. Pre-registration is mandatory. For more information or to register contact Nathalie Doré, nathalie.dore@agr.gc.ca, (514) 315-6175, or Chris Bigall, chris.bigall@international.gc.ca, (312) 327-3625.
Mardi 16 juin 2009 :: 8h00 – 10h15 :: Salle E258 (Petit-déjeuner à 7h30)
Les entreprises canadiennes qui souhaitent accroître ou renforcer leur présence sur le marché des États-Unis sont invitées à un petit-déjeuner conférence qui portera spécifiquement sur le marché américain des produits biologiques. Les thèmes abordés traiteront entre autres des tendances et opportunités pour le biologique, Nature's Path: une réussite canadienne et comment positionner une marque canadienne biologique aux États-Unis. Pré-inscription obligatoire. Pour plus de renseignements ou pour vous inscrire, veuillez communiquer avec Nathalie Doré, nathalie.dore@agr.gc.ca, (514) 315-6175, ou Chris Bigall, chris.bigall@international.gc.ca, (312) 327-3625
Non-GMO Project Information Session
Tuesday, June 16 :: 8:30 - 10:00am :: Room E262
In the face of a growing GMO contamination threat to the natural and organic products industry, what are our options and responsibilities? Join industry leaders from the manufacturing, processing and retail sectors, along with technical experts and representatives of the Non-GMO Project, for a lively and informative conversation on the current GMO situation. Topics will include recent studies on GMOs demonstrating lower crop yields, connection to GMO consumption and decreased fertility and other health risks, development of herbicide resistance “superweeds,” and more; the liability GMO contamination poses for our industry in a climate where consumer trust is more essential than ever; the action increasing numbers of manufacturers, growers, processors, and retailers are taking through the Non-GMO Project. Don’t miss this important opportunity to be part of the dialogue on what is arguably the most pressing current issue for our industry. This meeting is open to the public. For more information contact Megan Thompson, Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project, at megan@nongmoproject.org or call (510) 292-0987.
Accredited Certifiers Association Meeting
Tuesday, June 16 :: 8:30 - 10:30am :: Room E263
Members of the Accredited Certifiers Association are invited to meet and review current association activities. There will be a series of reports on the important work being done by members participating in our various working groups. This will also be an ideal forum for members to express their needs for on-going training issues, as we are in the planning stages for our next formal training program. Contact Patricia Kane, ACA Coordinator, for additional information, at (607) 648-3259 or email patriciakane@accreditedcertifiers.org.
Foreign Buyers’ Mission Meetings
Wednesday, June 17, 10:30am – 4:30pm :: Thursday, June 18, 10:30am – 3:30pm
International Buyers’ Meetings Booth #1125
U.S. companies interested in exporting their organic food and ingredients to Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand can meet with foreign buyers during the All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show. The buyers are sponsored by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and the USDA, and will visit the trade show and participate in pre-arranged meetings with U.S. owned organic companies. Contact Tiffany Landry at (512) 402-5305 or email tiffany@landryconsulting.org for more information.
Exhibitor Presented Seminar: The Day Spa Association
Wednesday, June 17 :: 12:30pm - 1:30pm :: Room E260
Looking to enter or increase your sales to the spa industry?
Knowing something about the needs and expectations of spa owners and their clients will help you succeed.
Eric Light, President of the Strawberry Hill Group and a member of the Day Spa Association Board of Advisors will share with you the Association's profile of a spa goer, as well as preliminary data from their current study of spa goer retail habits.
This session is a must for those wanting to succeed in the spa market.
Working with OMRI & the National Organic Standards to Make Products for Organic Use
Wednesday, June 17 :: 3pm - 5pm :: Room E264
OMRI would like to invite all clients, interested applicants, and their consultants to a session on how to prepare an OMRI application. OMRI is an input certification service to identify products for organic use. A complete and well-prepared application is the most important factor in determining the timeliness of the review. Also, successful applicants will have a good understanding of the standards that will be used to evaluate their products. OMRI staff will cover the latest developments in materials review and address questions on the standards, policies, forms, and instructions from the audience. For more information contact Miguel Guerrero, OMRI marketing director at miguel@omri.org or call 541-343-7600 x 106.
Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Association Board Meeting
Wednesday, June 17 :: 3pm - 5pm :: Room E263
Meeting of the Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Association Board. Open to FTSLA Board Members only. For more information on the FTSLA, contact Natalie Reitman-White at nwhite@organicgrown.com or call 541-852-0745.
Go Organic! for Earth Day Advisory Council Meeting
Thursday, June 18 :: 1pm - 2pm :: Room E262
Go Organic! for Earth Day is a national cooperative consumer promotion in April that drives awareness and sales of organic products. Go Organic! Advisory Council members will review results from the 2009 program and discuss the 2010 plan. Attendees will help provide strategic insight and program feedback to maximize program objectives for 2010. This is a private meeting - attendance is by invitation only. Please contact Andrea Porfidio, andreap@musicmatters.net or call 952-426-7815 for more information.
Go Organic! for Earth Day Information Session
Thursday, June 18 :: 2pm - 3pm :: Room E262
Find out how you can participate in the Go Organic! for Earth Day campaign in April 2010, a joint project between the Organic Trade Association, MusicMatters and Earth Day Network. Go Organic! increases overall awareness and sales of organic products by focusing on sponsor brands at mainstream retailers. This award winning initiative pools resources to create a cooperative marketing campaign that has greater impact for both individual brands and the organic industry than any one brand could on their own. Visit www.OrganicEarthDay.org for more details on the program. Please contact Andrea Porfidio, andreap@musicmatters.net or call 952-426-7815 for more information.