Whats going on at ODA?

Lots is going on in the Ohio Proud division of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Recently we attended the Power Show with great attendance. Each of the companies I sent letters to asking them how the show went said "The show was very successful and they looked forward to participating in the future."

Renewals are still coming in for our annual $25.00 fee to be an Ohio Proud member. I am also working on a Women's Show flyer and mass email sending. As well as the Food Expo and Women's Show at the Cuyahoga Convention Center recruiting partners to show and sell there products to potential buyers. The shows are a great way for companies to reach out to buyers and have buyers get a taste of the products they might purchase. As well the shows provide businesses with potential large scale buyers.

The 2010 Calendar is coming together very well. I have organized and put together the calendar events for this coming year. More events may be scheduled for the kitchen so the calendar never stays up to date but it gives us a general idea.

I have also been putting together an estimate list for attending the Produce Marketing Association Show in Orlando, Florida next October. The show features companies from all over the United States and it is a great way for our larger companies to reach out to other states and countries.

Last week Lori and I met with a potential Ohio Proud member. We sat down with her one-on-one and explained Ohio Proud and the benefits of being a member. Then she explained her company to us, some of her buyers and her plans for the future. It was great to see from a first hand perspective how a small business owner was reaching out to buyers and deciding what options were the most profitable for the business. She had a lot of great ideas and Ohio Proud partners could add to her buyers and sellers list.

Recently we've been putting a lot of time into an event called Retail Ready Trainings. This is where businesses and people that want to start a business will attend a session around Ohio for a day and learn the important steps in becoming Retail Ready. There are going to be six training sessions throughout Ohio which companies can choose to go to. Then a trainer will provide people with tools and ideas to becoming retail ready so businesses can sell on a larger scale. I am working on flyer's for this event and deciding how to manage all the information which will be coming into the office like addresses, names, appointments, products, etc. The trainings will be great for the businesses and hopefully provide them with tools to run a successful business.

That's all the main things going on right now at ODA. We are currently cleaning out files in the office to make more room for new interns coming in and just doing some much needed house cleaning.