Made in Montana Tradeshow for Food & Gifts - Helena

Don't miss this extraordinary event March 15-16, 2019  

 Includes the Native American Made in Montana Pavilion 

The annual, two-day trade show connects wholesale store buyers from across the region with over 150 exhibitors in the Made in Montana program.  

Exclusive Wholesale Buyers Day is a chance for store buyers and other industry professionals to discover what’s new, renew contacts, purchase inventory, and network with other industry pros.

Public Showcase Day is a way for exhibitors to display their wares to the public and let them experience firsthand the products they’ll soon find on store shelves around the state.

The Tradeshow is located annually at the Lewis & Clark County Exhibit Hall, 98 West Custer Avenue, Helena, MT.

The 2019 Tradeshow is SOLD OUT for Exhibitors.

Wholesale Buyer Registration is open. Pre-register now, on Submittable.

About the Show

This is the premier opportunity to reach wholesale buyers interested in authentic Made in Montana products for their stores. In addition, you get to introduce your products to the public to generate future sales.

Friday is set aside for wholesale buyers only and is the true purpose of the event. It provides a one-stop marketplace for Made in Montana food and gift producers to meet and sell their authentic products to store buyers for resale.

This show is not a retail craft show nor is it akin to a Farmer's Market. Exhibitors are required to adhere to wholesale selling processes, procedures, and traditions. That includes offering a wholesale pricing structure that conforms to the food and gift wholesale industry.

As a bonus, Saturday offers a unique opportunity for exhibitors to sell directly to the public at retail prices (the same price the customer would find in a store). Potential customers can see, sample, and purchase products while at the same time learning where they can be found in stores in their area.

This day is included to help promoted recognition of Made in Montana products and to also make producers and wholesale buyers with great feedback about how the public likes the products.

Exhibitor Eligibility 

To participate you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a registered member of the Made in Montana program 
• Selling gifts, general merchandise items, and/or shelf-stable, packaged food 
• Willingness and capacity to sell products at wholesale prices and policies
  • First time exhibitors at the show must submit to a jurying process for admission and agree to provide necessary documents proving their readiness for the wholesale process 
  • Experienced wholesalers may ask for an exemption
• Follow all applicable Health Department rules (if sampling food and/or beverage products) and must provide copies to health permit and labels
• Agree not to exhibit or promote any non-Made in Montana products at this trade show
• Agree to all Exhibitor Rules & Regulations

Exhibitor Checklists

First Time Exhibitor

Previous Exhibitor

Booth Specifications

• "Stair Step" Pipe & Drape Booth (black)
• All booths are 10' x 10'
  • May have maximum of 2 booths per exhibitor (20' x 10' total)
• Back wall: 8' high
• Side divider: 8' high extending 6' from back wall, and then 3' high to aisle (4')

Basic booth also includes:

• 2 chairs (standard height)
• 1 - 6' x 24" skirted table (standard height; black drape with white top)
• 1 - 500 watt/110v electrical outlet per booth (exhibitor must supply own extension cord)

Booth Price

• Early Bird *save $50* (10/29/18 - 11/19/18): $350 inline / $400 corner booth
• Regular (11/20/18 - 2/25/19): $400 inline / $450 corner booth
• Last Minute *based on availability* (2/25/19 - 3/8/19): $450 inline / $500 corner booth

Apply 

Exhibitor Registration for the 2019 show is closed and the show is sold out.

For more information, please contact us at 406-841-2757 or by email.

About the Show

The Made in Montana Tradeshow for Food & Gifts is primarily intended as a wholesale market, and is open to store buyers-only on Friday March 15, to registrants who are looking to purchase goods for resale.

This is the premier state-wide event to see, sample, and purchase the newest products and developments in the Made in Montana food and gift industry.

To qualify as a buyer, you must sell the type of products represented at our show, and be able to show proof of relevant occupation/status.

Why Attend?

• Discover new products 
• Meet with vendors from across the state
• Learn new trends and what is selling
• Network with other industry professionals

Register

In order to be eligible for buyer status, you must meet the following qualifications:

• Owner/Manager/Buyer for a retail store, shop, restaurant, or similarly associated business OR staff with purchasing authority
• Must be able to show proof of relevant occupation/status via business card or other business collateral (invoice, business checks, etc)
• Include no more than four (4) buyers/representatives per business - unless prior permission is granted by show management

Wholesale Buyer Register Here

Interested in Sponsoring?

Is your company or organization interested in sponsoring the Made in Montana Tradeshow - supporting and reaching local wholesale producers, manufacturers and retail store owners?

Now’s your chance! Over 500 wholesale buyers and 6,800 members of the public attend the show annually, so your message will reach them too!

Why this show is important

• Retail store owners can easily source authentic Made in Montana products
• Research shows that over twelve million visitors to Montana per year rate shopping as a top spending activity while traveling - specifically looking for products that are made in Montana.
• Provides an opportunity for new and growing small businesses to learn the basics of wholesale tradeshow exhibition
• Supports the ‘Shop Local’ movement encouraging the public to purchase locally-produced products

Benefits of Sponsorship

As the premiere marketplace where Montana retail stores owners and food & gift producers meet, your sponsorship can underscore your organization’s mission and values. Specifically:

• Get your message out to over 150 exhibitors/producers and over 500 retail store buyers looking for opportunities to grow in Montana. As a bonus, thousands of Montanans attend the show on Product Showcase Day
• Increase awareness of your product/service, and build relationships with potential and existing clients and partners
• Position your organization as an industry leader
• Help grow the retail sector economy of the state, including helping to boost emerging Montana businesses
• Show your support for and commitment to Montana’s small businesses and overall economic growth

Sponsor Levels

$5,000 Diamond Level

Made in Montana shopping bag Sponsor. Includes company logo/design on the bag

$3,000 Platinum Level

Exhibitor and Buyer Appreciation Reception Sponsor, with company recognition and signage at the event

$2,000 Gold Level

Nametag Lanyard Sponsor, with company logo and name 

OR

Event App Sponsor (Whova), with company logo on landing page banner, hyperlinked to your website

$1,500 Silver Level [3 NOW AVAILABLE!]

Exhibitor Educational Seminar Sponsor, with opportunity to address seminar attendees (seminars TBD)

$1,000 Bronze Level

Retailer of the Year and Exhibitor Awards Sponsor, with company recognition at the event

$750 Community Level 

Refreshment Room Sponsor

$600 Friend Level [Multiple Available]

Considerations listed below

In addition to the specific considerations offered under each level, ALL sponsors will receive the following:

1. Display space in sponsor section on Wholesale Buyer Day (Friday)

2. Opportunity to provide company collateral and premiums in Exhibitor and Wholesale Buyer bags

3. Hyperlinked company logo featured on the Made in Montana Tradeshow website (size dependent on sponsorship level)

4. Inclusion of company logo in any printed marketing materials 

5. Company banner displayed in entry way during the event [provided by sponsor]

6. Recognition on social media channels (Facebook, Instagram)

7. Up to 4 entry passes to exhibit hall on Wholesale Buyer Day (Friday)

8. Invitation to the Reception on Friday evening. Attendees include exhibitors, buyers, state dignitaries and program VIP’s

Please call us with any questions at 841-2757.

While the main purpose of this Tradeshow is wholesale purchases for resale, the public get the exclusive opportunity to see, taste, smell and buy these Made in Montana goods that will soon hit store shelves. Saturday is Public Showcase Day, and all are invited to partake in the show as retail buyers.

You will get to experience firsthand the quality and beauty of unique products made by Montana artists, designers, and manufacturers.

This show has garnered over 6,800 members of the public on this day in prior years - so be sure to have your shopping bags and walking shoes ready! Food and coffee trucks will be available outside the venue, as well as concessions inside.