{"id":28638,"date":"2024-11-13T11:20:42","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T16:20:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/?p=28638"},"modified":"2024-11-13T11:20:42","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T16:20:42","slug":"registration-now-open-for-marylands-best-expo-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mda\/press-release\/2024\/11\/13\/registration-now-open-for-marylands-best-expo-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Registration Now Open for Maryland\u2019s Best Expo 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

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ANNAPOLIS, MD (November 13, 2024)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The\u00a0Maryland Department of Agriculture\u00a0<\/strong>has announced that the\u00a0Maryland\u2019s Best program<\/strong>\u00a0is once again hosting the\u00a0Maryland\u2019s Best Expo\u00a0<\/strong>on\u00a0Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025\u00a0<\/strong>at the\u00a0Naval Academy Stadium in Annapolis<\/strong>. Returning for its 21st year, the Maryland\u2019s Best Expo provides an opportunity for Maryland farmers, seafood producers, and processors to connect with buyers from grocery retailers, restaurants, schools, food distributors, and other venues.\u00a0Registration is now open<\/a>\u00a0and exhibitors, buyers, and sponsors are encouraged to apply.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the last two years, we have seen demand grow for producers to have more outlets to reach buyers and for opportunities to learn how to grow their business,\u201d said\u00a0Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks<\/strong>. \u201cWe are excited to offer a more amped up version of the expo this year including free media training, reduced-cost product photography and headshots, and an opportunity to take mini learning sessions with leading retail grocery buyers like Whole Foods and Klein\u2019s ShopRite.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The expo connects growers and producers to local, regional, and national buyers for retailers and restaurants. For a small fee, exhibitors may participate in the expo as well as have the opportunity to also place ads in the\u00a0Maryland\u2019s Best Expo Guide<\/a>\u00a0– a comprehensive list of all growers in attendance that is distributed to buyers at the event and throughout the year as requested.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no fee for buyers to attend and all restaurants, schools, institutions, distributors, economic development officials, University of Maryland Extension agents, and regional agricultural marketing officials are invited.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sponsorship opportunities for the expo start as low as $750. Additionally, sponsorship ads can be purchased for only $100. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Audrey Broomfield at\u00a0audrey.broomfield@maryland.gov<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to exhibiting, there will be many new activities for producers to engage in including:<\/span><\/p>\n