Concurrent Sessions

Packaging That Gets Noticed!

Have you ever wished your product would jump off the grocery shelf and into shoppers’ carts while they exclaim, “Wow, that looks like a fantastic product! I’m going to buy it, even though I didn’t plan on it”? While we may not be able to promise that this scene will come true, join us as we hear from Brian Wagner, co-founder of Packaging & Technology Integrated Solutions, LLC, about how packaging design can help you position and market your product in ways that help drive sales.

Food Safety Modernization Act: Thinking Two Steps Ahead

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) gives FDA a mandate to pursue a system that is based on science and addresses hazards from farm to table, putting greater emphasis on preventing food-borne illness. The reasoning is simple: The better the system handles producing, processing, transporting, and preparing foods, the safer our food supply will be." (FDA, December 23, 2010) Bonita Funk, Senior Director of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs at ConAgra Foods will discuss the FSMA, impacts to governments, food manufacturers, food producers and consumers.

Business Data: How It Can Help You Make Fact-Based Decisions

In this session you will learn how to make maximum use of data resources in making informed business decisions throughout the product lifecycle—from idea inception to marketplace maturity. During this session Dr. Gayaneh Kyureghian, Food Processing Center Assistant Professor will cover each stage of the product lifecycle and outline the data you need—and how to use it. The relevant data sources will be identified and the costs and benefits of each discussed. Examples will be presented to demonstrate how to apply what you will have learned to your own business. Finally, to help you get started, we will discuss how to locate, capture and manage data in your own organization.

Be the Salesperson You've Always Wanted to Hire!

As a small business owner, you know you wear many hats; one of those hats is that of salesperson. Many feel they're not cut out to be a salesperson and begin the task without the confidence needed to close the sale. Michael Milbourn and Keith Stoneman have been training people to be better sales people for more than 15 years. During this session, you'll learn how to be the sales person you've always needed.

The People Principle: Maximizing Value Where Employees and Customers Intersect

People are what make a business go. Customers, employees, management—wherever people touch your company they are having an impact. Based upon its world-renowned research in behavioral economics, Gallup has uncovered the best practices of entrepreneurial firms that experience accelerated growth. Todd Johnson, a managing consultant in global job creation at Gallup, will provide insight into how you can get the best out of people and the employee/customer relationship and, as a result accelerate the growth of your company.

Preparing for Export Success

In 2010, U.S. processed food agricultural exports worldwide totaled a record of more than $115.8 billion. Through June of 2011, U.S. processed food agricultural exports worldwide totaled more than $1 billion, up nearly 31% from the same period in 2010. Are you interested in exporting but don’t know how or where to begin? If so, this session that features Dennis Lynch, the Food Export Helpline™ Counselor of Food Export Midwest-Northeast, is designed to help new or beginning exporters get started with exporting. You'll learn what's involved with learning to export, what you need to know while building an export strategy, whether your company is ready to export and the skills needed to be a successful exporter. Dennis will give some more advanced information if you've already got your feet wet in the export arena. Dennis will also be available throughout the conference for one-on-one meetings with companies.

The Forgotten Tool: How to Use Public Relations to Build Customer Loyalty

Advertising is efficient, but expensive. Social media is sexy, but unproven. Promotion is exciting, but temporary. Public relations? Too often it is an afterthought in marketing strategy. For Terry Landes, Marketing Director at Prairieland Foods, public relations is at the heart of his employer’s strategy. Learn how Terry uses public relations to create a lasting positive vibe—and product loyalty—with Prairieland’s customers.

Angela’s Story: Passion, Persistence, and Serendipity

Angela Keaveny, Founder of Rowdy Dow BBQ, started out like so many other small companies—a great family recipe, enthusiasm, and key business allies—but then came the hills and valleys, starts and stops, and crises of faith. In this interactive session, Angela will share how she kept moving forward toward until she found success. Come prepared to be encouraged and ready with your questions!

The Future is Here: How to Be in More Than One Place at a Time!

Running a small business is hard. So much to be done with few hands to do it. Success starts with selling and customer care. A network of food brokers lets you extend your reach in the market without having to clone yourself. Learn how to build, manage and effectively leverage a network of food brokers to take your sales to the next level. Bruce Nyhammer, Western Marketing Director, Sioux Honey Association, will discuss what to expect from your brokers, trade promotions, and best practices in broker management.

Every Show Needs An Audience? Who Is Yours?

A Broadway show has a short run if it can’t find an audience. Will your food product have a short run in the marketplace? You can help its chances for a ‘stunning success’ by understanding—in detail—who wants your product, why they want it, where they want it, what they will pay, and what messages will bring them in. Dr. Steven Pharr, Food Processing Center Market Research Analyst, will discuss why good market research is a necessary investment and accessible research strategies for small firms.

What’s on the Horizon?

Frito-Lay took a bold step when they introduced their new “Sun Chips” packaging material…the chip giant was surprised when consumers rejected the 100% compostable bag. Meeting the GREEN challenge was the focus of the design. In this session, Brian Wagner, co-founder of Packaging & Technology Integrated Solutions, LLC, will discuss Holistic Packaging Design, and how your Design Brief will help assure you won’t have a packaging blunder.

Lean Manufacturing and Process Mapping for Small Food Processors

Lean Manufacturing describes a concept of business operation that uses less human effort, capital investment, floor space, materials, and time in all aspects of production. A team with the concepts and tools for Lean Manufacturing can improve the bottom line of any manufacturing operation. Gisele Olney, of the Nebraska Business Development Center, will present these concepts to help you reach a better bottom line.

All sessions and schedule subject to change.
For more information and complete speaker bios, please visit the conference website: fpc.unl.edu/nsfmc