April 2024 Partner Newsletter

GO TEXAN HAPPY BIRTHDAY

March 6, 2024 11am - 12:30pm Register Here March 13, 2024 10am - 11:30am Register Here March 21, 2024 1pm - 2:30pm Register Here March 27, 2024 1pm - 2:30pm Register Here

GO TEXAN Area at Dallas Market Hall!

GO TEXAN discounted cost: $400

What is provided:

10x10 booth

Pipe and Drape (Back and sidewalls)

1 table

1 chair

1 wastebasket

1 booth ID sign

Space will be secured on a first come, first served basis and

ensure product variety. Apply today: https://www.jotform.com/240815127062045

GO TEXAN License Plate

Do you love showing your support for the GO TEXAN Program any way possible?

Now you can purchase a custom GO TEXAN license plate through the DMV for $70/year

My Plates - 5 Character Limit

My Plates - 6 Character Limit

All Proceeds come back to the GO TEXAN Program.

may limit registration to

GO TEXAN NEWS Limited Space Remaining! Sign up today! GO TEXAN is offering 50 partners discounted space at the June Temps at Total Home & Gift Market, June 19-22, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

TDA

GO TEXAN Pavilion Applications Are Live!

Applications for the 2024 GO TEXAN Pavilion at the State Fair of Texas are now open for all partners. This year, there will be one application for all opportunities in the Pavilion. Click here to familiarize yourself with all the available opportunities before applying.

APPLY NOW: https://form.jotform.com/232825889956074

Interested in being a sponsor? View packages here or contact us at GOTEXANEvents@TexasAgriculture.gov.

GO TEXAN Quarterly Partner Meeting

Date: April 10, 2024

Time: 10:00 a.m.

TEAMS Meeting

On this call you will learn about upcoming GO TEXAN events and announcements, including more information on the 2024 MEGA (GTPP & GTE) Grants Guests will include a TDA grant representative who is able to answer questions you may have about MEGA as well as David Royce with U.S. Commercial Services to speak about the international trade program Register today: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/efaa8399-99fc47a0-abbc-9c4784c4f791@0d16d504-d03a-4e2e-8316-8408747d7c7f

April 2024

GO TEXAN MEGA Grants - Coming April 3rd!

The GO TEXAN Marketing Enhancement Grant Assistance (MEGA) Program is designed to provide grant funds to GO TEXAN partners to assist with the marketing and promotion of certified Texas agricultural products, including those that have been produced, processed, or otherwise had value added to the product in Texas; certified Texas non-agricultural products; Associate GO TEXAN Registrants; and the GO TEXAN Program.

There are two programs under the MEGA Program:

The Product Promotion (GTP) grant program is designed to provide grant funds for Tier 2 or higher GO TEXAN product partners to market and promote their qualifying GO TEXAN products.

The Event Grant program (GTE) is designed to provide grant funds to Associate GO TEXAN partners who coordinate public festivals, farmers markets, and events across the state that will promote GO TEXAN businesses, their Texas made products, and the overall GO TEXAN Program.

Applications will be available starting April 3rd and TIER upgrade requests will need to be submitted by May 1st.

TIER

GO TEXAN

Change Form Looking to change your GO TEXAN Account TIER? Upgrading to Tier II and higher gives you access to Marketing Enhancement Grant Assistance (MEGA), priority event registration and much more! This can be done at any time throughout the year. At renewal time, if your business needs have changed and you need to lower your partnership level we can help with that too! GO TEXAN TIER Change Form GO TEXAN NEWS

GO TEXAN turns 25 in 2024!

GOTEXANiscelebratingour25thBirthdayallyearlong!

Celebratewithusbysubmittingahappybirthdayvideoforoursocialmediaaccounts, orLicensethemarktofeatureONyourcertifiedproducts.

Birthday Video

Example Script: "Happy 25th birthday, GO TEXAN!"

Video Guidelines:

Film vertically (camera at the top!)

Film in a well-lit environment without noise

Video should be less than 10 seconds long

Hold phone steady or prop it up to avoid shaky video

Email your video submissions to gotexancreative@gmail.com with your business name and "birthday video" in the subject. Due date: ASAP.

Licensing the GO TEXAN Mark

Have you ever wanted to use the GO TEXAN Mark on your certified products (such as those pictured below?) Well, GO TEXAN will license the mark to active GO TEXAN partners for such use for a small one time fee ($50 application + $1,000 royalty). Contact Lindsay.Baerwald@TexasAgriculture.gov for this opportunity.

April 2024

Southern U.S. Trade Association (SUSTA)

SUSTA coordinates US Pavilions at major trade shows around the world. Even Better…businesses can get reimbursed up to

50% of eligible expenses such as international travel to shows, advertising, freight, in-store demonstrations and so much more through the 50% Cost Share Program.

SUSTA is FREE to join, so let us help you get your products out there! Contact Nikki Jackson (512) 486-9317 or email

GoGlobal@texasagriculture.gov for more information.

Upcoming SUSTA Events

Summer Fancy Food Show Trade Show - New York, NY

The Texas Department of Agriculture invites you to participate in the Summer Fancy Food Show from June 23-25, 2024. This show focuses on high value-added specialty food and beverages Fancy Food is a great opportunity to be introduced to an international audience of buyers and to build brand awareness.

WHO: Beverages, Condiments, Organic, Nut Butters

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 10, 2024

Central America Outbound Trade Mission to Panama

Outbound Trade Mission - Panama City,

Panama

The Texas Department of Agriculture invites you to participate in the Central American Outbound Trade Mission to Panama City this August. This event is a low-cost opportunity to explore the Central American market, where meat, condiments, and snack foods have great potential.

WHO: Beverages, Nuts, Condiments, Meat, Poultry

Snack Foods and Sweets

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 9, 2024

Interested?? Contact Nikki Jackson (512) 486-9317 or email

GoGlobal@texasagriculture.gov for more information.

GO TEXAN NEWS

2024 Fiery Food Challenge

What: 27th Fiery Food Challenge

When: Judging May 20-22, 2024

Where: Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX

The Fiery Food Challenge (FFC) is the most recognized and prestigious blind tasting competition of zesty products in the industry. In addition to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards, all winning companies receive 1,000 FFC winner labels for placement on their honored products. Companies worldwide are invited to participate in the quest for the coveted first place Golden Chile award. Awards are announced and presented the first evening of ZestFest. You do not have to exhibit at ZestFest to enter, but the deadline for receipt of entries is May 3, 2024. Contact June DeRousse at 210-882-0952 or june@zestfest.net for the FFC entry form.

April 2024

ZestFest 2024

What: ZestFest 2024

When: May 24-26, 2024

Where: Will Rogers Memorial Center, Amon G. Carter Exhibit Hall, Fort Worth, TX

GO TEXAN Partners are invited to participate as food vendors at the 22nd Annual ZestFest 2024, featuring the spiciest exhibitors and products around the country for one sizzling weekend. Over the years, ZestFest has averaged a weekend attendance of 10,000 zesty food lovers -- tasting and buying their food favorites.

GO TEXAN partners receive a $100 discount on any standard booth making the discounted price for a 10’x10’ booth $840. They are also offering a limited number of 6’x10’ booths for $578. Exhibitors will receive the following in combination with the booth purchase: health department permits, 2 complimentary tickets to the Fiery Food Challenge Awards banquet on Friday evening, skirted table, 2 chairs, waste basket, washing station and identification sign.

Contact June DeRousse at 210-882-0952 or june@zestfest.net to book your discounted GO TEXAN booth. Don’t delay! Booths are booking daily on a first come first served basis.

GO TEXAN NEWS

2024 Texas Restaurant Show - San Antonio

GO TEXAN and the Texas Restaurant Association are collaborating to present a GO TEXAN Pavilion during the 2024 Texas Restaurant Show!

The Show brings together the vibrant Texas restaurant community. With 500 booths showcasing leading innovators in products and services, alongside 3-days of educational sessions led by industry professionals and business leaders, the Show offers its 5,000+ attendees valuable information, data, and insights to enhance operations and profitability for single-unit restaurants and multi-chain franchises. GO TEXAN booths are being offered for only $2,000 (normally $3,400).

For more information or to book a GO TEXAN booth visit this link.

April 2024