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Workshop & Training
THIS TRAINING HAS PAST. STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT ONE!
Are you ready to take the next step in developing your food business, but need guidance from experts on how to move forward?
Our 2022WEBEX Food Business Basics Workshop is a unique opportunity for early-stage food entrepreneurs, like yourself, to learn about developing and growing your business. As an attendee, you will be in front of those who are in-the-know about the food industry, with years of experience in business and product strategy, product development, packaging, food safety regulations and consumer trends.
Our 2-day session will include presentations from business and technical experts, including an attorney, food scientists, a packaging expert, and trend and marketing expert.
On day one, there will be an introduction to the Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University, consumer trends, category overview, brand strategy, packaging trends, accounting basics, business structure and protecting your intellectual property. On day two, we’ll have presentations on product development to commercialization, sales strategy, food safety, developing your business plan, an entrepreneurial success story, and a virtual tour of the FIC South will be available to provide further information on our capabilities.
The Food Innovation Center at Rutgers is excited to announce the Food Business Basics Workshop keynote speaker as David Hodges, Collingswood Farmer’s Market Director, who will share information on marketing your product at farmer’s markets and inform you on the cottage industry regulations. The conversation around farmer’s markets is timely and relevant. NJ’s health department passed the new Cottage Laws in 2021 which allows direct sales of certain food products from home at farmer’s markets, events, etc.
Also, in our line-up of speakers, hear from Jared Cannon, developer of Simply Good Jars, a healthy and convenient, chef-crafted, meals packaged in re-usable jars. Jared worked with the Rutgers Food Innovation Center on product development and commercialization of his product and then found himself on Shark Tank delivering the pitch of his life!
After this workshop, you will receive a link to the videos of the two day event with speaker presentations.
Get your questions answered and learn from people who are in-the-know! Following this two day event, you will have the opportunity to receive a one-on-one session with the experts directly. Advance sign up will be required.
Hot Presentation Topics (as of 4.27.2022):
Day 1 – Tuesday
9:00am – 9:15 Sho Islam, Business Associate, NJ Business Action Center
Connecting Businesses to Assets and Resources for Growth
9:15am – 9:45 David Hodges, Director, Collingswood Farmers’ Market
Keynote Speaker – Marketing your product at Farmers’ Markets/Cottage Industry Regulations
9:45 – 10:45 Joyce Friedberg, Marketing Research Specialist, Food Innovation Center at Rutgers
Consumer Trends & Topline Category Review
10:45 – 11:15 James McIntosh, CPA, MST, Audit Partner, Grassi Advisors & Accountants
Accounting Basics and Entity Structure/ How to register your company.
Break 15min
11:30am – 12:00pm Lisa Kent, Founder & President, The Luminations Group
Positioning Your Product and Brand For Success
12:00 – 12:30 Jack Lang, CEO, LabelWorx
Packaging Trends – Package Types and Graphics
12:30 – 1:00 Danielle DeFilippis, Esq., Norris McLaughlin P.A. Attorneys at Law
The Legal Aspect of Protecting your Brand: IP, Trademarks, Trademark Registration Process
Day 2 – Wednesday
9:00am – 9:30 Julie Elmer, Associate Director, Food Technology, Food Innovation Center at Rutgers
From Bench to Commercialization – Product Development and Operations
9:30 – 10:30 Ron Tanner, President, Tanner Food Group
Developing your Businesses Sales Strategy: Distributor vs. Direct Channels, Online Sales Channels
10:30 – 11:00 Mellonie O’Neill, Senior Manager – QA Compliance and Training, Food Innovation Center at Rutgers
Trends in Food Safety & Requirements (for an additional fee, multiple certificate classes are offered)
Break 15min
11:15 – 12:00 Guy Salisch, Food Specialist Consultant, NJ Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC), at the Rutgers School of Business Camden
Developing Your Business Plan – Elements, Financial (Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, Profit & Loss), Monitor & Control (KPIs, Measurement)
12:00pm – 12:30pm Jared Cannon, Owner, Simply Good Jars
Entrepreneurial Success Story, Food Innovation Center at Rutgers
12:30pm – 1:00pm Pre-taped video of FIC South
Virtual tour of Food Innovation Center at Rutgers University
Date: Tuesday May 10 & Wednesday May 11, 2022
Time: 9:00AM – 1:00PM each day
Location: virtual via Webex
Now, what are you waiting for? Come join for two days of learning and networking.
Registration Fee:
$300 Regular Registration, per person
Registration
Last day to register is May 5th!
**No Refunds**
Register today – this event sells out fast!
Stay tuned for more information about the 2022 Food Business Basics Workshop. You can contact us by email at FIC@NJAES.rutgers.edu.
About the Food Innovation Center @ Rutgers University
The Food Innovation Center @ Rutgers University (FIC) is a One-Stop Shop for U.S. and International Food and Beverage Businesses looking to accelerate in the U.S. market. A team of food industry veterans offer expertise in Business Development, Marketing, Marketing Research, R&D, Food Safety, Manufacturing and Sales. Our USDA and FDA inspected processing facilities provide over 50,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing, storage, laboratory/office/meeting space and training facilities supporting our ability to Learn – Innovate – Accelerate into the market.
FIC is a Center within the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.