PARTNER NEWSLETTER December 2023
CHAMPION SPONSORS
Happy Holidays! FROM THE GO TEXAN TEAM
Top Left to Right: Darrell Dean, Bobby Champion, Manuel Martinez, JD Lawrence, Debbie Wall, Casey Corley, Kara Smith & Alicia Kimzey Bottom Left to Right: Kristin Lambrecht, Lauren Moore, Jami McCool, Carol Faulkenberry, Kate Idzorek, Lindsay Baerwald, Anisa Elizondo, Neely Kirkland, Briann Schenk & Chloe Bertrand
GO TEXAN is turning 25 in 2024!
GO TEXAN will be celebrating our 25th Birthday all year long in 2024! Celebrate with us by submitting a happy birthday video for our social media accounts and/or joining the GO TEXAN e-commerce site to be featured in our birthday catalogue.
GO TEXAN Catalogue Register now to sell your products on shop.gotexan.org! GO TEXAN will create a birthday catalogue and showcase one product per company in the publication. By registering your products for sale on the site, you will automatically be included in this promotional catalog. Don't miss this FREE opportunity- sign up here! 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. GO TEXAN NEWS | December 2023
Save the Date: More Rodeo Applications Coming Soon!
Save the Date
Save-the-Date for upcoming applications for GO TEXAN partners to sample and sell in the GO TEXAN area at the following Rodeos in 2024: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo - 12/6/2023 Rio Grande Valley Stock Show & Rodeo - 1/17/2024 Rodeo Austin - 1/31/2024 San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo - 2/14/2024
All applications will open at noon on the dates listed above. TIER 2 and higher GO TEXAN partners will have priority for the first 48 hours. Application links will be sent via email as well as posted in the GO TEXAN partners Facebook Group. Please make sure the email you have listed on your account is one you check regularly.
Food and Wine Pairings: Recipes Needed!
Uncork Texas Wines, the wine marketing program at the Texas Department of Agriculture, is looking for the perfect food pairings for Texas wines. Do you have a great appetizer, entrée, or dessert recipe that uses your GO TEXAN product that you are willing to share? Selected recipes will be paired with a Texas wine and will debut in 2024 Uncork Texas Wine marketing promos. Send Recipes to Anisa Elizondo @ Anisa.Elizondo@TexasAgriculture.gov.
GO TEXAN NEWS | December 2023
Resili ent Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program COMING SOON: The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will accept applications for the federally funded Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program, for projects that support the expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally and regionally produced food products including specialty crops, dairy, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry. Equipment-Only Grants will only be eligible to cover the cost of purchasing equipment and awards may range from $10,000 - $100,000. Infrastructure Grants may include equipment, training, construction/renovations, or personnel costs. Infrastructure awards may range from $100,000 to $3,000,000. Please refer to TDA’s website for more information: Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program.
Become Kosher Certified As the demand for diverse and inclusive products continues to rise, obtaining Kosher certification can open new doors for businesses, leading to increased market reach and growth.
For more information or to speak with someone directly, click HERE or contact Rabbi@SanAntonioKos her.com.
GO TEXAN NEWS | December 2023
GO TEXAN Product Photography Have you ever wanted professional grade photos of your product? Submit up to five products and TDA will provide you with high resolution, high quality pictures you can use to market your products...FREE of charge. Please click here to read more about this opportunity.
An Instagram takeover is the process of sharing content on someone else’s Instagram account temporarily. Instagram takeovers are an incredible way for brands, individuals and influencers to collaborate and cross-promote content. Instagram takeovers offer a novel way for us to engage with our partners while increasing your brand awareness and promoting your products. It gives our readers a unique look into our partner's companies and what it’s like to run their business. If this is something you are interested in learning more about, contact us at GOTEXAN@TexasAgriculture.gov.
GO TEXAN TIER Change Form Looking to change your GO TEXAN Account TIER? Upgrading to
Tier
II
and
Enhancement
higher
Grant
gives
you
Assistance
access
(MEGA),
to
Marketing
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 | December 2023
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 IFE International Food & Drink Event 2024 Trade Show - London, UK The Texas Department of Agriculture invites you to participate in the International Food & Drink Event (IFE) in London from March 25-27, 2024. IFE is the largest event in the UK, bringing in UK and International buyers for retail and food service. IFE is a great opportunity to expand into international markets and generate leads. WHO: Snacks, Ingredients, Nuts, Seasonings, Beverages, Meat & Poultry REGISTRATION DEADLINE: December 25, 2023
ANUGA Brazil and Outbound Trade Mission Trade Show & Outbound - Sao Paulo, Brazil The Texas Department of Agriculture invites you to participate in ANUGA SELECT Brazil and outbound trade mission from April 8-11, 2024. This mission will include participation in the ANUGA trade show, a market briefing from the US Embassy, retail tours, and scheduled one-on-one meetings with Brazilian buyers. WHO: Juices, Condiments, Snacks, Tree Nuts, Dairy, Confectionary, Poultry, Wine REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 8, 2024 Interested?? Contact Nikki Jackson (512) 486-9317 or email GoGlobal@texasagriculture.gov for more information. GO TEXAN NEWS | December 2023
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. GO TEXAN NEWS | December 2023
Your GO TEXAN Field Representatives
1. J.D. Lawrence (915) 249-9844
6. Kristin Lambrecht (713) 677-9321
2. Briann Schenk (806) 386-9139
7. Jami McCool (210) 708-1713
3. Neely Kirkland (214) 809-5534
8. Kara Smith (956) 502-6817
4. Darrell Dean (214) 938-0067
9. Carol Faulkenberry (254) 592-1507
5. Manuel Martinez (713) 677-9814
10. Lauren Moore (254) 340-7046