Join AFMA for our AGM and annual conference. This year, we are focusing on manager and vendor training with an evening mixer for everyone!
PROGRAM INCLUDES:
Day One is for Market Managers:
Advanced Market Manager Training
Friday, March 7, 2025 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Every market manager knows that managing a market is so much more than just turning on the lights, setting up tables and making coffee. This market manager training course has been developed by Alberta market managers for Alberta market managers. It includes all those things you need to know in order to be successful in your role and to grow your market. This workshop takes you beyond the market manager course required by the Alberta Approved Farmers’ Market Program to give you skills that many managers only discover with time on the job. Topics covered will include:
- Skills you need to better understand your responsibilities and be an effective leader
- The importance of planning and strategic thinking, risk management and record keeping
- Recruiting, selecting and retaining vendors and determining your ideal vendor and product mix
- Vendor issues, product verification, effective communication and conflict resolution
- Financial literacy at the farmers’ market, managing the market as a business and raising money for the market beyond table fees
- Marketing and promoting your farmers’ market, implementing great events, quality customer service that helps to gain customer loyalty
- Leadership skills, decision making and problem solving, developing volunteer opportunities for your market and how to take care of yourself
Join us to learn from the workshop developers and from each other as we share best practices and innovative thoughts on farmers’ market management.
Evening Session All Members Are Welcome:
Friday, March 7, 2024 7:45 PM – 10:00 PM
Managers and vendors are invited to our AGM and award ceremony, 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM, followed by a fun evening of snacks, an expert panel, and plenty of time for connecting with fellow vendors and market managers.
Day Two is for Vendors:
Saturday, March 8, 2025 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Vendor 101: a workshop for new and existing vendors and market managers
Alberta approved farmers’ markets Farmers’ markets are big business in Alberta with over $900 million in annual sales. Entering this market channel with the right skills can shorten your learning curve and enhance your success. If you are a new vendor, want to refresh your knowledge or manage a farmers’ market and want to learn skills that you can share with your vendors, this session is for you! Come to learn, share, and meet others in the industry.
Content for the Day:
Setting the Stage Hear about the latest trends and the opportunity for selling at a farmers’ market. Understand the benefits and the challenges of selling into this market channel and tips for choosing a market.
Regulations – The Basics Understand the regulations that apply to your business and why they matter.
Costs to Consider Discover the different costs you need to consider when thinking about becoming a farmers’ market vendor.
Application, Tent & Vehicle Advice Hear about some dos and don’ts when applying for a market, tips for setting up your tent safely and how to efficiently pack your vehicle before and after the market.
Display Tips Learn about the importance of a good display and some tips on how to make yours stand out in the market.
Breakfast, lunch, coffee, tea and snacks are included!