Get the OTA Advantage at OTA’s Annual Meeting and Member Days

All Things Organic™ is the primary, annual gathering place for the Organic Trade Association (OTA) membership. OTA’s Annual Meeting and Member Days are a time for association business, member meetings, and social and networking events. This year OTA members have even more opportunities to choose from a variety of events to match their interest and schedule.

OTA will host its Annual Meeting, Annual Awards Dinner and Dance Party, Task Force meetings, Member Forum gatherings, and Member Hospitality Lounge. Other activities, such as exclusive Members Only Sessions, and Member Networking opportunities will bring the OTA membership together for information, education, and fun.

Please note that OTA Member Days events are open to OTA members only, unless otherwise noted.

OTA's Annual Meeting —
OTA will review highlights of its past-year accomplishments on behalf of the organic industry and introduce its Board members and staff. Participants can share ideas about how to increase momentum for organic and look at ways to leverage the new “Organic. It’s Worth It.” campaign. (Pre-registration requested)
OTA Keynote Speaker: Kathleen Merrigan, USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture —
Kathleen Merrigan, USDA’s Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will give a keynote address directly following the Organic Trade Association’s Annual Meeting and directly preceding the opening of the trade show.
OTA Annual Awards Dinner and Dance Party —
OTA’s annual gala will feature an organic dinner and awards presentation honoring the recipients of OTA’s Organic Leadership Awards. Come eat, drink, dance and pay tribute to those being recognized for their remarkable contributions to the organic industry.
OTA Member Meetings —
Many of OTA’s member communities will come together during OTA Member Days. Task Force volunteers will meet face-to-face for outcome-focused working sessions. Member Forum participants will gather for networking, and to share ideas on everything from sustainability, to textiles, to international trade.
OTA Member Days Executive Networking and All Things Organic™ Conference Break —
OTA is inviting members and not-yet-members to reenergize during an executive “meet and greet” with OTA's new Executive Director Christine Bushway. Come and chat with the OTA Board, and network with other organic professionals in the hour preceding the The Gort Cloud keynote.
OTA Members Only Sessions —
Exclusive education sessions have been designed to provide members with in-depth information on key issues, transfer in-demand business skills, and foster forward-thinking for organic. This year's sessions include Capital Funding in Today's Economic Crunch, Marketing in the Age of Social Media, and National Organic Standards Board Update.
OTA Hot Topic — The Future of Organic Personal Care Products: Their relation to the organic trade as a whole
Come join this facilitated roundtable discussion on all aspects of organic personal care. As the National Organic Standards Board moves quickly toward a recommendation on standards, others say "organic" should remain a food-only claim. Bring your perspectives to the conversation. Refreshments will be served. (Pre-registration requested)
OTA Advocacy Action Center —
Visit the OTA Advocacy Action Center and join the fight to protect truthful label statements regarding federally regulated organic production practices. While you’re there, you can also get a sneak peak of Food, Inc. a new film opening in theaters this month about our nation's food industry.
OTA Member Hospitality Lounge —
Need a break? Stop by anytime to grab a cup of organic coffee, check your e-mail, or simply relax. Come and meet the OTA staff, review information about member benefits, and learn about participation in OTA Task Forces and Forums.

Jumpstart your professional goals, whether they’re growing your network, building your expertise, or contributing to the collective voice for organic; join OTA members, board and staff from June 16 – 18, 2009, at All Things Organic™, to experience the power of the organic community.

OTA Members will be updated as programming details become available. Contact membership@ota.com with questions. For more information about becoming a member of OTA, visit www.ota.com or call (413) 376-1219.