ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 8, 2009

PRIDE OF DAKOTA SLATES ANNUAL MEETING

BISMARCK – The second annual meeting of Pride of Dakota will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, at the Doublewood Inn, 1400 E. Interchange Ave., Bismarck.

“The annual meeting provides Pride of Dakota members with educational and networking opportunities,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. “It also gives them a chance to learn more about what Pride of Dakota can do for them and to let the North Dakota Department of Agriculture know how the programs can be improved.”

The meeting opens with presentations on various Pride of Dakota programs and financial assistance for Pride of Dakota member companies, and an open forum for members to discuss their experiences with Pride of Dakota.

Following lunch, participants can choose among informational sessions on low-budget advertising, packaging and point-of-purchase displays, patents and trademarks, exporting and internet marketing.

Experienced business professionals will be available for one-on-one consulting sessions dealing with photography, website design and product packaging and labeling.

Authorized by the Legislature and administered by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the Pride of Dakota program fosters the development and growth of small businesses and especially businesses that are farm-based or rely on agricultural commodities. Pride of Dakota member companies can participate in cooperative promotion and marketing events; receive representation at local, state, regional, national, and international trade shows and educational opportunities. More than 400 companies are Pride of Dakota members.

More information about the Pride of Dakota program is available by contacting Sara Kelsch at (701) 328-4766 or sakelsch@nd.gov.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.