WSFMA 2017 CONFERENCE- save the date!

The 2017 WSFMA Conference takes place Thursday to Saturday, February  2-4 at the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine. It brings together over 250 market organizers, farmers, vendors, state agencies and partner organizations to share their passion for farmers markets. Mark your calendars now to join us in February. The amazing waterfront Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, WA, is 20 min. north of Bellingham up near the Canadian Border. Semiahmoo offers fine dining, spa services and a wildlife refuge nearby- so make it a getaway and bring the family! Speaker Lists, Workshop Info, Conference Registration and Scholarship Applications will be available in early November.

This Year’s Conference Theme:
Destination Agriculture:
Local Farm, Market and Food Tourism

Learn How to Make Your Market the Best it Can Be!
Network with market professionals from across the state. 1 on 1 consultations. Tradeshow and Vendor Presentations. Inspiring speakers and presentations:
• Linking Markets and Farms with Food Travel
• Building Better Boards and Orgs
• Farmers Market Management Best Practices
• Tips for Hiring and Retaining Staff
• Fundraising Techniques and Tricks
• Food Access Help and Education
• On Farm Events Panel
• WSFMA AMA (ask us anything!)
Plus movies in the Semiahmoo theater, The Squash storytelling competition, Beer and Wine mixer (mixing people, not so much beer and wine, which would be weird), and other fun events. Also really good food.

OUR BIGGEST AND BEST CONFERENCE EVER!
It’s also our last one for two years. That’s right, the WSFMA conference is now biennial, meaning every other year- the next full-sized conference won’t take place till 2019. We will host market organizer intensives in 2018, so the 2017 will be your last chance to get together with ALL of your favorite colleagues, cohorts, and collaborators for 2 years! Save the date and make plans to come to Blaine.

NEW THIS YEAR- volume discounts! Bring more people from your organization and pay less. Half off registration for every fourth (or more) person your group brings. We want more folks to come than ever before and we have the space for them in Blaine. Bring board members who haven’t attended, bring volunteers, farmers, food vendors, bring city officials, bring your mom. Bring your dog. Maybe not your dog. Check with the hotel first.

WSFMA conference support generously provided by the WSDA Specialty Crops Block Grant.

Posted on behalf of the Washington State Farmers Market Association