2014 Cornell Agribusiness Strategic Marketing Conference

November 11 - November 12, 2014


For information and the agenda see: http://dyson.cornell.edu/outreach/strategic_marketing_conference.php

Conference Information

The Strategic Marketing Conference will be held once again in November, 2014. This premier conference provides in-depth discussion on topics and issues that are critical for sellers of agricultural products. The topics the conference focuses on this year are around emerging/alternative markets and marketing methods. Presenters will include individuals who have expert knowledge and experience in how to profitably access ethnic markets and large urban populations outside of the traditional wholesale system.

Topics this year will cover changing/adding market channels, market/product diversification from both a wholesale and direct-consumer vantage point, highlighting such practices as season extension, extending into ethnic and export markets, CSA to wholesale markets, group purchasing organizations, farm-to-institution, and CSA rebate programs.

The conference is developed with a mind towards building grower and agency skills through session topics. Sessions will include specific keys to success from both growers as well as agency personnel, such as staff from GrowNYC FARMroots, Norwich Meadows Farm, and The Good Food Collective. The presenters are individuals who are actively working to develop local farm to table distribution in the urban and rural areas of the New York and New York City area.

To round out the conference there will be a session to present detailed information on cost identification with various market channels and activities. These costs will then be utilized in pricing models for price determination so that individuals entering new markets have a thorough and complete understanding of these market opportunities and how best to balance them in their business model.


Conference Location and Lodging Accommodations

The Inn on the Lake
770 South Main Street, Canandaigua, NY
Phone: (585) 394-7800

The conference begins at 7:30 a.m. each day with a continental breakfast, and the program beginning at 8:30 a.m. The conference concludes at 12:30 p.m. on day two.

Conference attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations. Blocks of rooms have been reserved at the Inn on the Lake for conference participants. A credit card guarantee will be required at time of reservation. When making your reservations, refer to "Cornell Strategic Marketing Conference" to get the negotiated rate of $104 for a standard room, $129 for a lakefront /two-room suite, and a Jacuzzi suite of $184 on Monday and Tuesday, November 10-11. The rate does not include applicable room tax. Reservations must be made by the cut-off date of Friday, October 10, 2014 to guarantee the discounted group rate. Reservations will be accepted based on the hotel's availability after the cut-off date at the best available rate.
Exhibit Space

Limited exhibit space is available. Please let us know if you would like to bring materials for your company or organization. Contact Carol Thomson at the address listed below.
Networking Dinner at the New York Wine & Culinary Center

There will be an optional networking culinary demo dinner on Tuesday evening, November 11th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Demonstration Theater at the NY Wine & Culinary Center (next door to the Inn on the Lake). The meal will consist of a three course Culinary Demo and an optional wine pairing. More information to follow.

Conference Registration

Online Registration: Choose one of the two links below to register for the conference. Prices will go up after October 31.

Conference Registration only ($100)
Conference Registration PLUS Dinner ($145)

To pay without credit card, please download the Registration Form.



Strategic Marketing Poster (PDF; 152KB)