March GO TEXAN Partner Newsletter

GO TEXAN HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Applications for the 2024 GO TEXAN Pavilion at the State Fair of Texas go live this month! Mark your calendars for the following dates:

TIER 2+ Partners: noon on March 6, 2024

All Partners: noon on March 20, 2024

This year, there will be one application for all opportunities in the Pavilion. Click here to familiarize yourself with all the available opportunities before sign ups are live.

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

United Supermarket Discovery Showcase

If you’re a vendor looking to do business with a company that values small towns and local communities, look no further than The United Family. Apply Now for our Discovery Showcase and work with United locations throughout Texas and New Mexico.

The United Family is committed to supporting the local economy by sourcing local products and encouraging team members to give back to their communities.

The deadline is March 4th so don't delay! Apply at this link & Good luck! https://www.theunitedfamily.com/discovery-showcase/

Save the Date: GO TEXAN Pavilion Applications

GO TEXAN NEWS

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 MEGA Grants - Coming Soon!

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 in early April and TIER upgrade requests will need to be submitted by May 1st.

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

TIER

GO TEXAN turns 25 in 2024!

GOTEXANiscelebratingour25thBirthdayallyearlong!

Celebratewithusbysubmittingahappybirthdayvideoforoursocialmediaaccounts, joiningtheGOTEXANe-commercesitetobefeaturedinourbirthdaycatalogueor LicensethemarktofeatureONyourcertifiedproducts.

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. Current partners already on the e-commerce site will be automatically featured.

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.

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.

March 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 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.

March 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

Mexico City MLB Outbound Trade Mission Outbound - Mexico City, Mexico

The Texas Department of Agriculture invites you to join us in Mexico City this April on an outbound trade mission. This mission will coincide with the MLB two-game series in Mexico City and will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase Texas agriculture.

WHO: Beef, Sauces and Seasonings, Snacks, Spirits, Wine

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 15, 2024

Seoul Food and Hotel Show 2024 Trade Show - Seoul, South Korea

The Texas Department of Agriculture invites you to participate in Seoul Food and Hotel Show from June 8-11, 2024. This trade show is a great opportunity to meet with a diverse array of global suppliers from across the Asian market.

WHO: Convenience Foods, Nuts, Seafood, Meats, Organic Foods & Health Products

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 8, 2024

Interested?? Contact Nikki Jackson (512) 486-9317 or email GoGlobal@texasagriculture.gov for more information.

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.

March 2024