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The OTA Calendar is full of events that are either organized or attended by OTA. We are pleased to organize and support dozens of events that advance organic agriculture and trade throughout the year. Some of these are signature OTA events hosted for members, while others are regional, national, or international conferences where OTA staff are featured keynotes and panelists. Whether we’re bringing the latest news and trends about the organic industry to diverse audiences, sponsoring business networking gatherings, or hosting listening sessions to gather feedback from the sector, you can count on OTA to be part of the action. 

OTA Hosted Event

January 2024

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EcoFarm Conference

EcoFarm Conference

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 - 8:00am to Saturday, January 20, 2024 - 5:00pm

 

January 17-20, 2024

Asilomar Conference Grounds

Pacific Grove, CA

Featuring over 60 skill-building workshops, keynotes, pre-conference events, farm tours, seed swaps, wine & beer tastings, networking, and the EcoFarm Expo.

Contact Cassandra Christine if you have any questions or to set up a meeting.

 

8:00am to 5:00pm
 
 
 
 
 
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Winter Fancy Food Show

Winter Fancy Food Show

Sunday, January 21, 2024 - 8:00am to Tuesday, January 23, 2024 - 5:00pm

 

January 21-23, 2024

Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall

Las Vegas, NV

A Winning Bet for Your Business

Las Vegas is a gambling mecca, but specialty food industry professionals know that the Winter Fancy Food Show is always a winning bet! The Winter Fancy Food Show is where specialty food makers go to exhibit their newest and best products and where buyers go to find their next bestsellers. With thousands of industry professionals all under one roof, the Winter Fancy Food Show is three days of sampling, networking, and education designed to help grow your business. 

Sunday, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Embrace USDA Organic Certification for Business Success with Organic Trade Association

Join the Organic Trade Association for an Organic Product Showcase and Market Overview. Explore how the USDA Organic label addresses consumer preferences for environmental sustainability, human health, animal welfare, and social justice, offering a unique opportunity for brands and retailers to connect with consumers. Don't miss the chance to taste delicious organic products, connect with industry members, and gain insights into the science and standards behind the organic label to foster business growth.

Speakers: Cassandra Christine, Director of Industry Relations, Organic Trade Association and Adrienne Messe, Associate Director of Events, Organic Trade Association

Contact Adrienne Messe if you have any questions or to set up a meeting.

8:00am to 5:00pm
 
Sustainable Foods Summit

Sustainable Foods Summit

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - 8:00am to Thursday, January 25, 2024 - 5:00pm

 

January 24-25, 2024

The City Club of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

The Sustainable Foods Summit will discuss approaches to move to circularity in the food industry. How can regenerative agriculture and biodiversity-friendly practices be encouraged? What is the role of upcycling? What new packaging materials are emerging for circularity? Such questions will be addressed in this North American edition. 

Since 2009, the Sustainable Foods Summit has been covering leading sustainability issues in the food industry. Organized by Ecovia Intelligence, the summit now takes place in the major geographic regions. Other editions are hosted in Europe (4-5 July, Amsterdam), the Asia-Pacific (Singapore), and Latin America (São Paulo).



Join Tom Chapman, OTA's Co-CEO on January 25 at 3 pm for a presentation on the Organic Opportunity Communications Toolkit as part of the Summit’s Session Four: Marketing & Customer Insights:

Session Title: Organic Market Outlook & Future Opportunity

Session Description: Shoppers today have increasingly high expectations for brands and retailers. They expect to see the full scope of their values reflected in the products they choose – including environmental sustainability, human health, animal welfare, and social justice. Thankfully, there is a label for that – USDA Organic! Whichever sustainability benefits are most important to your organic business, from reducing greenhouse gases to regenerating soil health, there is only one option that addresses the full suite of consumer preferences AND is backed by federal certification. Join Tom Chapman, CEO of the Organic Trade Association to learn about the organic market outlook, and data-driven tools that can help your sales or marketing teams articulate the environmental, health, social, and economic benefits of organic. 

He will also be participating in the panel discussion below:

Levers to Change Consumer Behavior 

It is argued that consumer behavior needs to change if the food industry is to become truly sustainable. Consumers need to be encouraged to make sustainable choices, as well as to use and dispose of food & packaging responsibly. The panel will debate changing consumer behavior. How can customers be nudged to make green decisions and be more responsible.

Panelists: 

•    Jason STEIN, Director of Category Management, NATIONAL COOP + GROCERS 

•    Lisa SPICKA DE BEVACQUA, Sustainability Consulting Director, NSF INTERNATIONAL 

•    Maria MAYSONET, Vice President Total Wellness, NIELSEN IQ

•    Tom CHAPMAN, Co-CEO, ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION 

•    Angelina SKOWRONSKI, Sustainable Supply Chains, MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL 

 

Contact Adrienne Messe if you have any questions or to set up a meeting.

8:00am to 5:00pm
 
 
 
 
GOPEX

GOPEX

Monday, January 22, 2024 - 8:00am to Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - 6:00pm

 

January 22-24, 2024 

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Hollywood, Florida

GOPEX 2024 is set to draw retailers, grower-shippers, wholesalers, importers, exporters and other decision-makers from across the fresh produce industry. See our fantastic line-up below of top educational topics!  Additionally, the popular BizMatch meeting scheduler will be offered throughout the event to pair organics suppliers with qualified retail and wholesale buyers.

Join OTA's Matt Dillon as he moderates the Communicating the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule to Consumers breakout session on Jan 23, 2024 | 10:40 – 11:20 | Salon West. The most significant update to organic regulations since the original act in 1990, the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule is slated for implementation on March 19, 2024. Intended in part to augment the trust of consumers in the organic brand, what are the toplines and messaging points of the new rule and how can retailers, suppliers, industry organizations and fresh produce stakeholders best communicate what it means to be organic in 2024?

Contact Adrienne Messe if you have any questions or to set up a meeting.

8:00am to 6:00pm
 
Organic Association of Kentucky Annual Meeting

Organic Association of Kentucky Annual Meeting

Thursday, January 25, 2024 - 8:00am to Saturday, January 27, 2024 - 5:00pm

 

January 25-27, 2024

Kentucky State University's Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm

Frankfort, KY

OAK’s 13th Annual Organic Farming Conference returns to the KSU Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm in Frankfort, KY, from January 25-27, 2024. Join 450+ attendees to participate in workshops, educational sessions and farm tours. Farmers and local food advocates connect with inspiring speakers, current research, peer farmers and regional suppliers.

Contact Amber Sciligo if you have any questions or to set up a meeting.

8:00am to 5:00pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NOP/ACA Professional Development Training

NOP/ACA Professional Development Training

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - 8:00am to Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 5:00pm

 

January 30 - February 1, 2024

San Antonio, TX

The Accredited Certifiers Association, Inc. (ACA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization created to benefit the accredited organic certifier community and the organic industry.

Scott Rice, OTA's Director, Regulatory Affairs will be in attendance to represent OTA and our members.

Contact Scott Rice if you have any questions or to set up a meeting.



8:00am to 5:00pm
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