Exhibiting and presenting at the “Flavors of Marketplace” Showcase and Contest gives independent food producers a unique opportunity to gain EXPOSURE for their new idea. Participants may test market their new product by conducting surveys, holding drawings, listening to feedback from the general public and interacting with a variety of professional consultants.

SPONSORED BY:

Marketplace of Ideas will be scheduling many educational opportunities.  Complete details will be shared as they become available.  A separate registration will be required for all classes. REGISTRATION INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

Click here to view FoodWorks “From Recipe to Reality” Workshop Information

SHOWCASE & CONTEST INFORMATION

1. To be eligible, all entrants must submit a fully completed entry kit postmarked by September 15, 2010.
   1. 2010 Official Contest Entry Form #1
   2. 2010 Marketplace Exhibit Agreement Form #2
   3. Entry Fee Paid in Full
   4. Only one NEW, market-ready, original food or beverage (non-alcoholic) product per person will be accepted.  Products will be judged and critiqued by a panel of food experts.
   5. Time and location for the presentations will be given to each entrant prior to their arrival.
   6. Each entrant will have up to 5 minutes to present their product to the judges.
   7. Any contestant not present at the predetermined time and place for judging will be disqualified from the contest.

The contest will be held on September 27, 2010, (and possibly on September 28, 2010).  Entrants are also required to showcase at Marketplace of Ideas on September 28, 2010.  Entrants must be present at the September 28, 2010, awards ceremony.

Winners in Special Award categories are also eligible to win in the overall categories.

*The ND Mill will be presented to the entrant that creates a food product using Dakota Maid Premium Bread Mix, Dakota Maid Premium Pancake Mix, Dakota Maid Premium Bread Flour, Dakota Maid All Purpose Flour, and/or Dakota Maid Whole Wheat Flour as one of the ingredients.

Note:  Prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the judges.  Prizes will be paid to all winners no later than October 31, 2010 (unless stated otherwise at the time of the contest).

REGISTRATION

All exhibitors must be approved by Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc. or their duly appointed designee(s).  Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc. reserves the right to refuse any or all applicants/exhibits for exhibit areas, speakers, product sales, or provision of information.

*PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

Youth innovators will have their registration fee paid by an anonymous sponsor.  Please complete the registration forms and submit them to the Marketplace office.

Exhibit Area:  Unless noted, your exhibit space includes a 10 ft x 10 ft. draped area on the exhibit floor, one sign with the name of your product entered in the contest, one 8 ft. table and two chairs.  Please Note:  110 electricity is available and must be ordered in advance.  Additional services will be provided by the FargoDome and Fargo Rent-All, and may require additional fees.

SELLING FROM YOUR BOOTH

You can sell your products from your booth.  To sell products from your booth you must pre-register, agree to the requirements and complete the paperwork as required by the State of North Dakota prior to the show.  North Dakota state law requires that Marketplace collect and submit your Sales Tax ID number to the Office of State Tax Commissioner.  Each exhibitor is responsible for collecting and paying sales tax according to North Dakota law.  All exhibitors are prohibited from selling promotional materials (t-shirts, hats, cups, etc.)

Registration fees can be paid by check, money order, VISA or Mastercard.

CANCELLATIONS

Only cancellations made by August 31, 2010, will be issued a refund minus a $25.00 processing fee.  Cancellations received after that date and exhibitors who fail to appear at the show will forfeit their entire fee.  Cancellations MUST be received in writing.

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES AND GUIDELINES

Entry

1. An original idea for a food product including a product name and description.
2. A basic formulation (recipe) for the product emphasizing the main ingredients.
3. A developed marketing strategy.
4. A target market for the product being as specific as possible including age, race, gender, and other demographic information (i.e., children ages 2-6, children 5-12, female athletes, etc.)
5. Package design for the product which is both functional and eye-catching.  Functionality should include prolonging shelf-life, protection from physical damage, etc.
6. Safety concerns and controls including what procedures were taken during production of the product to ensure safety.

A Completed Product Presentation Should Include

1. Name of original product idea, description of product, and how the product is original.  Packaging can address both the product description as well as the safety/shelf-life section.
2. Product Recipe Formulation
   1. List of ingredients, in order they are used in the instructions.
   2. Measurements given in common fractions.
   3. No abbreviations.
   4. No brand names (except products from the ND Mill).
   5. Developed marketing strategy, including marketing plan and research conducted, marketing slogans, advertising and promotional aides and other ideas.  There are no constraints.
   6. Target market audience including demographics and possible geographic constraints.
   7. Package design description and/or sketches and pictures.
   8. Storage plan, display plan, and shelf life including:  How the packet will ensure/prolong shelf-life, protect from physical damage, etc. (i.e., “the plastic wrap will prevent dirt and dust from getting into the product,” or “the colored carton will eliminate light from oxidizing milk, therefore giving it a long shelf life”).
   9. Safety concerns and controls including what procedures were taken during production of the product to ensure safety.

By participating, entrants in the contest agree to the Official Contest Rules and decisions of the judges, which shall be final and binding in all respects.

1. Winners will be notified at Marketplace of Ideas on September 28, 2010, during an awards ceremony sponsored by Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc.
2. Entry forms and related information become the property of Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc., and will not be returned to the entrant.
3. Entries and any information about the entries or judging of entries, which are not selected as winners, will not be disclosed to contest participants or the public.
4. Winners hereby grant the right of Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc. to use the name of the company and/or any photographs taken during the contest to be used for editorial, promotional, and other purposes, including, but not limited to, posting online.
5. Ownership of the product shall remain with the entrant in all cases.  Acceptance of any prize constitutes permission to use winner’s name, likeness, hometown, photographs, and a description of winning product, without further compensation, unless where otherwise prohibited by law.
6. Contest participants will be required to compete in the judging round at Marketplace of Ideas to be eligible for any prizes.
7. Taxes, if any, related to the prize are the responsibility of the individual winner.
8. No responsibility or liability is assumed for damages, losses, or injury resulting from acceptance or use of any prize.
9. Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc. reserves the right in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual that tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the contest, violates the official rules, acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, and/or acts with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person.

10.  Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc., shall have no liability or responsibility for any claim arising in connection with participation in this contest or any prize awarded.  Winners and entrants assume all liability for any injury or damage caused, or claims to be caused, by participation in this contest or use or redemption of any prize.

JUDGING CRITERIA
The entries will be judged on the following criteria:

• Product Name and Description
• Originality of Product
• Product Recipe
• Marketing Plan & Research
• Target Audience
• Package Design
• Presentation by Entrant
• Overall Impression of Product

A special thank you to Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., LRD, Associate Professor and Food and Nutrition specialist at NDSU Extension Service Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences and the Georgia 4H Program for their advice.

TO REGISTER

Register Online for the 2010 Flavors of Marketplace Showcase and Contest.

Flavors of Marketplace Showcase and Contest Brochure

2010 Official Contest Entry Form #1

2010 Exhibit Agreement Form #2

OTHER INFORMATION

FoodWorks “From Recipe to Reality” Workshop Information