Product Center Making It In Michigan

7:30 a.m.

Participant Check-in opens

8:30 a.m.

Welcome

Mollie Woods, MSU Product Center

8:40 a.m.

Keynote Address: The Mindset of an Entrepreneur

Kris Mathis

9 a.m.

Break, Barrier Buster Award video

9:05 a.m.

Specialty Food Panel

Shirley Decker Prescott, Mert's Specialty Meats

Jason Parks, Oryana Co-Op

Kathy Sample, Argus Farm Stop

Milt Shoup, East Lansing Food Co-Op

9:45 a.m.

Break, Value Added Producer Award video

9:50 a.m.

Distribution Panel

Jerry Adams, West Michigan Farmlink

Dan Andaloro, T.I. Spices

Paul Buscemi, Carmela Foods

Chris Monette, Lipari

10:30 a.m.

Break, Start Up to Watch Award video

10:45 a.m.

Retail Panel

Rob Connor, SpartanNash

Jody Daenzer, Kroger

Travis Reams, Meijer

Rebecca Stephens, Fresh Thyme

Tim Kainu, Westborn Market

11:25 a.m.

Break, Young Innovator Award video

11:30 a.m.

Building to Stage 2 Panel

Brad Cocklin, Chunk Nibbles

Paul Gabriel, Brown Dog Creamery

Aaron W. Jackson, MI Good Food Fund, Fair Food Network

Rodney Parkkonen, MEDC

11:55 a.m.

Lunch

12:30 p.m.

Sensory Testing and Hands-on Exercise

Dr. Emily Mayhew, Michigan State University

1 p.m.

MSU Product Center Award Ceremony

Awards presented to:

Barrier Buster

Value Added Producer

Start Up to Watch

Young Innovator

Entrepreneur of the Year Award video shown, and award presented

1:30 p.m.

Conference concludes