2011 Made in Montana Marketplace Exhibitor Space Already Half Reserved

Early-bird registrants have scooped up more than half the booths available for the 2011 Made in Montana Marketplace http://www.greatfallsmt.net/events/madeinmontana/
presented by the City of Great Falls and the Montana Department of Commerce.

The annual Made in Montana Marketplace will be held March 25th and 26th in the Mansfield Convention Center at the Great Falls Civic Center. The trade show boasts 111 booths and is strategically timed to connect exhibitors juried in the show with wholesale buyers looking to purchase Made in Montana products for the spring and summer seasons.

"The Made in Montana Marketplace is a prime opportunity for producers of Made in Montana products to gain immediate and widespread exposure to wholesale buyers," said Dore Schwinden, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. "In 2010 the Marketplace sold out and exhibitors were on a wait list to get in – it’s popular because it works."

On the first day of the trade show last year, 319 wholesale buyers representing 151 businesses from across the region came to examine products and make deals with exhibitors. Another 2,220 customers from at least 13 states and Canada attended the second day of the show which is open to the public.

Paul Lloyd-Davies, Marketplace Coordinator, encourages interested exhibitors to register now and explains, "The sooner producers complete their registration and get juried into the trade show, the more exposure they are able to get prior to the trade show through the Marketplace website." Producers can register for the remaining booths at the Marketplace website.

The 56 early-bird registrants produce everything from jewelry, fine handcrafts and personal care products to wine, art, photography and Montana souvenirs. They come from every corner of Montana, including Whitefish, Victor, Nashua, Billings, Glendive, and Babb as well as Great Falls – representing 36 different Montana communities. A full list of current exhibitors scheduled to attend the Marketplace can be found at the Marketplace website.

Many wholesale buyers have already taken advantage of early-bird incentives and registered for free through the 2011 Marketplace website. They represent department stores, grocery stores, gift shops and state park stores across Montana and the region.

To learn more about the 2011 Marketplace, including opportunities to become a sponsor, call (406) 455-8510 or visit the Marketplace website at http://www.greatfallsmt.net/events/madeinmontana/

The original Made in Montana Food & Gift Show debuted in 1998 and was presented by the Montana Department of Commerce and the Montana Department of Agriculture. After losing its funding in 2004, it has since evolved with strong support from Governor Schweitzer, into the Made in Montana Marketplace. Today the Montana Department of Commerce and the City of Great Falls serve as the lead organizing agencies for the Made in Montana Marketplace. The Department of Agriculture and Montana Arts Council are contributing partners. Other sponsors include All American Pharmaceuticals, Big Sky Commerce, Color World Printers, LaQuinta Inn and Suites, PPL Montana, and Quality Inn.