Early Registrants Get Special Deals for 2012 Made in Montana Marketplace

Special deals are available to exhibitors and wholesale buyers who register early for the 2012 Made in Montana Marketplace – the premier venue where producers of Made in Montana products and wholesale buyers do business.

The 2012 Made in Montana Marketplace will be presented by the City of Great Falls and the Montana Department of Commerce, Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24 at the Mansfield Convention Center of the Great Falls Civic Center. The annual, two-day trade show connects wholesale buyers from across the region with the people who produce products that qualify for the Made in Montana program.

All exhibitor and buyer registration now is online only at http://greatfallsmt.net/events/madeinmontana/

"Exhibitors who submit a complete application for the Marketplace by December 7, 2011, save $50.00 on the price of a booth," said Paul Lloyd-Davies, marketplace coordinator. "The first 100 registered buyers can take advantage of a discount on the nationally touring, New Orleans band, Hot 8 Jazz Band concert March 21, too."

On Friday, March 23, the Marketplace will be open to wholesale buyers exclusively. This day is intended for exhibitors who sell their products to wholesalers for future resale. On Saturday, March 24, the general public will have the opportunity to visit the Marketplace. This day is included to help promote the recognition of Made in Montana products.

Exhibitors throughout the trade show showcase dozens of creations, from handcrafted furniture to gourmet snacks in 111 available booth spaces. Montana artisans, microbrewers and vintners also showcase their products at the Marketplace.

Toni McClue of Montana Sweetgrass Etc. in Brady understands how important the two-day trade show can be for a producer of Made in Montana products. "Many of the stores have sold out of my products many times and are always reordering," she said recently. "I can’t believe how far I have come since last March! I am glad I did the exhibit last year- it was a huge promotion to my business!"

Wholesale buyers represent department stores, grocery stores, gift shops and state and national park stores across the region. These buyers are recruited from across Montana, as well as nearby states and Canadian provinces.

"The Made in Montana Marketplace is a one-stop-shop for wholesale buyers looking for something authentically Montana," said Dore Schwinden, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. "It’s also a fantastic opportunity for Montana producers to interface with wholesale buyers, network with other producers and engage directly with the public."

The Montana Department of Commerce and the Montana Department of Agriculture started the original Made in Montana Food & Gift Show in 1998. In 2004, funding for the show was cut. The Schweitzer Administration restored funding to help sponsor the rebirth of the show in 2005. In 2006, the City of Great Falls assumed production of the show and renamed it the Made in Montana Marketplace. The Department of Commerce remains a primary partner and sponsor of the Marketplace. The Department of Agriculture and Montana Arts Council are also contributing partners.

Opportunities also exist for private business sponsors who want to support this coming together of Made in Montana producers and the businesses that carry their products. Potential sponsors can contact Lloyd-Davies.

For more information on exhibitor and wholesale buyer registration, or to become a sponsor, call (406) 455-8510 or visit http://greatfallsmt.net/events/madeinmontana/

Follow the Marketplace on Facebook, too, at http://www.Facebook.com/MadeinMontanaMarketplace