Making It In Michigan Conference and Trade Show
April 24, 2024 8:30AM - 3:30PM
Registration Deadline: April 5, 2024 - 11:45PM
Lansing Center, 333 E Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48933
Contact: Shelby Warner, warner80@msu.edu or (517) 884-7076
CONFERENCE
Want to learn more about making your business more efficient and profitable? This half-day conference features a keynote and educational panels that will concentrate on different business strategies. This year’s panels will highlight Specialty Food, Distribution, Retail, and Building to Stage Two. These topics will ignite your entrepreneurial business and take it to the next level of success.
Join us the evening before the conference on April 23 from 6-8 p.m. for a casual reception in the Lansing Center’s Riverstreet Pub. This is an opportunity to network with MSU Product Center staff and other food entrepreneurs in Michigan. Conference participant check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m. on April 24 with the conference beginning at 8:30 a.m. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Conference Cost: $125
Conference Cancellation Policy: Conference cancellations prior to April 3, 2024, will be refunded less a $50 processing fee. Cancellations on or after April 3, 2024, will not be eligible for a refund.
Student Scholarship Opportunity: Michigan-based students are welcome to apply for a scholarship to attend the Making It In Michigan Conference. The scholarship reduces the registration fee by 25%. Students should submit an application through the application button below. Scholarships are limited to the first five students who apply.
TRADE SHOW
The trade show is an opportunity for food entrepreneurs to market, sell, and sample their delicious Michigan-made products. Although the event is mainly an opportunity to attract retail buyers for wholesale accounts, sales to the public are allowed. Vendors will receive a 10' x 10' booth to showcase their product, and make connections with potential distributors, retailers and industry partners. Booth assignments will be determined internally by Making It In Michigan staff on 1) the order in which vendor registration payments are received and 2) the most optimal booth location available. Assignments will be announced the week prior to the trade show. Register and pay early in order to maximize your booth's location!
Join us the evening before the conference on April 23 from 6-8 p.m. for a casual reception in the Lansing Center’s Riverstreet Pub. This is an opportunity to network with MSU Product Center staff and other food entrepreneurs in Michigan. Vendor check-in and setup will be from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23 and 7-10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24. The trade show will open to the public at 10 a.m. on April 24.
Items to Note as a Vendor
- You MUST be a licensed, Michigan-based food product company to register as a vendor. Cottage Food Law vendors are not eligible.
- CBD and Cannabis Items are NOT ALLOWED for display or sale at this event.
- Alcohol is NOT ALLOWED at the Lansing Center without prior authorization and planning with the Making It In Michigan and Lansing Center staff. If you plan to display or sample alcohol, please reach out to Shelby Warner at the contact information listed at the bottom of this page.
- Electricity is NOT provided with vendor registration. Electricity will need to be ordered and paid for prior to the trade show directly from the Lansing Center through their Utilities Order Form. When completing your Lansing Center's Utilities Order Form, please leave the Booth Number blank. The Making It In Michigan staff and Lansing Center will communicate about booth numbers directly.
- Basic Wi-Fi will be available the day of the show. You can purchase higher speed Wi-Fi directly from the Lansing Center.
- Safe food sampling practices must be followed. For more information, check out MDARD's Guidelines for Providing Safe Food Samples.
- Direct sales are permissible at this event. If you are accepting cash, please be prepared to give change.
- Breakfast and lunch tickets can be purchased in the Trade Show vendor registration process. These tickets can be added after you have registered, though will need to be purchased prior to April 12, 2024, to ensure food is available. Food tickets will NOT be available for purchase at the event. Concessions will NOT be available this year. Breakfast tickets are $24 each and lunch tickets are $30 each.
- For more information, please review the Making It In Michigan Vendor Fact Sheet.
Trade Show Vendor Booth Cost: $425, $225 The vendor registration cost has been discounted due to support from our generous partnerships with Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), and the Walters Family Foundation.
Vendor Cancellation Policy: Vendor cancellations prior to April 3, 2024, will be refunded less a $50 processing fee. Cancellations on or after April 3, 2024, will not be refunded.
Student Scholarship Opportunity: Michigan-based students are welcome to apply for a scholarship to be a vendor at the Making It In Michigan Trade Show. The scholarship reduces the registration fee by 25%. Students should submit an application through the application button below. Scholarships are limited to the first five students who apply.
SPREAD THE WORD! The trade show is open to the public and has FREE general admission to walk through the trade show.
Buyers do not need to register for the trade show.
For more information about both the conference and trade show, please visit the Making It In Michigan website.
Registration for this event has closed.
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