April 2025 GO TEXAN Newsletter by GO TEXAN

CHAMPION SPONSORS

Outbound Trade Mission to Costa Rica

San Jose - August 6-7, 2025

Participation Fee: $600

Early Bird Special: $400 (if you register and pay before April 7, 2025)

Fee Includes:

Pre-arranged one-on-one meetings

Market briefing & tours

In-country transportation to meeting locations

Interpreter services (please request in advance)

Reimbursement of lodging within the Federal per diem rate for one company representative with submittal of required supporting documentation*

*Participants must participate in all mission activities to be eligible for lodging reimbursement

Registration Deadline: May 9, 2025 (No refunds for cancellation after this date)

50% CostShare: Apply now for SUSTA's 50% CostShare to request 50% reimbursement of participation fee, international travel, promotional giveaway items, point of sale materials, freight and more!

GoGlobal@texasagriculture.gov

Has the GO TEXAN program helped your business shine? Have you made key contacts, gotten a product into more stores or found help sourcing locally through the program? Anything else to brag about as a program benefit? We’d like to hear your stories! They may be used in brochures, on social media or in other publications.

Complete this form to share your experience!

GO TEXAN Social Media Features

GO TEXAN is proud to showcase Partners across our social media accounts! With an audience of over 85,000 people, you could be featured through a Partner Spotlight.

Please complete this form to participate.

Questions? Contact Chloe Bertrand at chloe.bertrand@texasagriculture.gov.

Spirits of the West Fest - Alpine, Texas

Spirits of the West Fest | April 25 & 26, 2025 | Alpine, Texas

A festival celebrating pure Texas wines, brews, spirits, music and food. All of the best of Texas, in the heart of Far West Texas!

More info: www.spiritsfestwtx.com

REGISTER

20+ Spirits Vendors - such as William Chris, Andalusia Whiskey, Wild Texas Wines, Tito's Vodka, La Pulga Tequila... and more!

20+ Retail Vendors - such as Old Bones Chilli, CABOOTS Handmade Boots, Hammerson Forge, Dibs Mixers, Wild Texas Food Company... and more!

10 Food Vendors - such as Oh My Pizza!, Bock Burger, The Caribbean Lobster Guy, 10 Mile Productions, Sky Island.. and more!

ZestFest 2025 - Fort Worth, Texas

What: ZestFest 2025

When: May 23-25, 2025

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 23nd Annual ZestFest 2025, 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. Sponsorships are also available. 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

2025 Fiery Food Challenge - Fort

What: 28th Fiery Food Challenge

When: Judging May 19-21, 2025

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 the 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 April 11, 2025.

Contact June DeRousse at 210-882-0952 or june@zestfest.net for the FFC entry form.

The Nacogdoches County Chamber is inviting all GO TEXAN Partners to consider attending the 35th annual Texas Blueberry Festival! If you are interested in getting first crack at applying for vendor space, please contact the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, 936-560-5533, or email president@nactx.com.

The annual event is always the second Saturday in June, making it June 14, 2025 in historic downtown Nacogdoches (The Oldest Town in Texas). It attracts over 20 thousand attendees to the festival grounds and offers guests tons of delicious activities including a car show, pie eating contest, photo ops, a 42 tourney, washer board tourney, pet parade, live stage entertainment, cooking demos, pickleball play, a sweet shop and more!

2025 Texas Restaurant Show - Houston, Texas

George R. Brown Convention Center

The Texas Restaurant Show offers two days of face-to-face engagement through exhibits, education, and networking events. The Show welcomes thousands of attendees including regional chefs, restaurant owners, distributors, managers, executives, educators, and consultants under one roof — which means a powerful and dynamic marketing platform for your company.

The Exhibit Hall showcases global foodservice companies offering products and services including food & beverage, technology, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, delivery systems and more to a targeted audience representing $106 billion in sales in Texas alone. The 2024 Texas Restaurant Show was a resounding success, with over 5,500 attendees (10% increase over 2023) and 500 restaurant industry exhibitors.

GO TEXAN Pavilion discounted booth space costs $2,000 per 10 x 10 space , a $1,200 discount! Each booth contains complimentary carpet, one 6’ draped table, and one chair. Check out the 2025 FLOORPLAN.

GO TEXAN LICENSE PLATE

ALERT - Online Scams Targeting Texans

Statement from Commissioner Sid Miller

“I urge every Texan to stay vigilant against scams and fraudulent activities. Unfortunately, criminals continue to prey upon hardworking Texans, often posing as government agencies or officials to steal your money or personal information. These deceitful schemes can come through phone calls, emails, or fake websites and social media accounts. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and proceed with caution.

I want to make one thing clear: the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will never ask you for money or personal information via phone, email, or any unsolicited communication. If you receive such a request, it’s a scam—plain and simple. Don’t send money, don’t share your personal details, and report any suspicious activity to your local authorities immediately. Your safety and security are our top priority."

Examples: