GFC

Frequently Asked Questions
Global Food Alaska 2009

Why Should I Be At Global Food Alaska 2009?
Who's Invited?
What Is The Cost To Register?
When Is Payment Due?
How Do I Register?
What Are The Dates Of The Event?
How Much Time Should I Plan To Spend In Soldotna?
Are There Other Opportunities To See Food Producing Regions Of Alaska?
If I Have Registered As A Supplier or Supply Chain Partner and Have An Exhibit Booth, what is furnished with the exhibit?
What Is Best For My Exhibit?
How Can I Serve Food Samples?
How Can I Serve Alcohol Samples?
What Should I Wear?
How Do I Find Hotel or Lodging?
How Do I Get To Soldotna?
Will There Be Internet At The Event?

Why Should I Be At Global Food Alaska 2009?

• Suppliers, supply chain partners and buyers and investors to Alaska's food/beverage and bio products all under one roof at one time. 
• An invite-only, industry specific event where buyers, sellers and supply chain partners come to meet and do business.
• Alaska's geographic location and seasonality of wild and natural products make the supply chain somewhat complex and requires an event where the best of the best come together to create the most effective and efficient solutions for their business. 
• To create the strongest possible supply chain for our commercial buyers.
• Are you going to be smartly prepared and connected to grow your markets as the local, regional and global economy turns around?
• It occurs every other year only so you won't have another chance until 2011.

Who's Invited And Attending?

Commercial Buyers

• Food Service, Restaurant, Gift, Manufacturing and Retail.   (Buyers represent the spectrum of Local, Regional, National and International - Independent, Chain and Multinationals.) 

Suppliers

• Harvesters, Growers, Manufacturers and Processors of Alaska's Food, Beverage and Bio Products.      This is Alaska so yes, there will be a heavy concentration on wild Alaskan seafood.    (Suppliers range from independent - sole proprietorships, to cooperatives to large multinationals.) 

Supply Chain Partners

• Companies that add value with products or services that support an optimum supply chain.     Examples include tracking/tracing systems, food processing, packaging, certifiers, transportation, refrigeration.... anything that supports energy efficiency along the supply chain.   Please contact us if you wonder if this event is right for you at (907) 563.0154 or email.   

What Is The Cost To Register?

There is no charge to qualified commercial buyers of food, beverage and bio products - they are our guests.   Those individuals represent retail, restaurant, food service, gift and manufacturing. 

Individuals supplying product or services are the hosts and pay registration for their attendance at the conference, dinner, awards, tour and for a furnished 8 x 10 exhibit.   Registration is $750 until March 1, 2009.   Late Registration is $1000.

When Is Payment Due?

Payment is due within 30 days of registration.   Payment may be made in the form of a check or credit card.

How Do I Register?

You may go on-line to register or call us at 907.563.0154 or send us an email providing a phone number and time to contact you to register you over the phone.

What Are The Dates Of The Event?

Wednesday, June 10th
Thursday, June 11th
Friday, June 12th (9-12 Noon) Tour Of Area Businesses

How Much Time Should I Plan To Spend In Soldotna?

Global Food Alaska 2009 will take place from 8-5 on Wednesday (June 10th) and Thursday (June 11th) at the Soldotna Sports Facility.  In addition, registered guests are invited to the leadership awards banquet on Wednesday beginning at 5:30pm and the dinner beginning at 7:00pm at Kenai Landing.  On Friday, June 12th, from 9 to 12 noon we will be offering a regional site tour for those who have a general interest in the area and what it may have to offer in terms of collaborative business opportunities. 

Are There Other Opportunities To See Food Producing Regions Of Alaska?

Yes, absolutely.    We'd be glad to assist you with areas or businesses that you'd like to visit or we will be glad to make suggestions.    Remember, the earlier we get your inquiry, the more attention we can give to your request.    Alaska is a big place and often expensive to travel, but with similar interests - we may be able to book compatible tours for registered paricipants. 

Looking to see Alaska's seafood processing capacity in Kodiak?   Bristol Bay?   Petersburg?   Interested in doing site tours of shellfish farms?    Want to visit area Elk and Bison ranches?     Bottled water plants?     Micro-Breweries?    

If I Have Registered As A Supplier or Supply Chain Partner and Have An Exhibit Booth, what is furnished with the exhibit?

Those registered as a supplier or supply chain partner are provided an 8' x 10' exhibit booth that is furnished with a table, sign, skirting and comes with electricity.

What Is Best For My Exhibit?

To maximize your business results, we suggest you include the following.

• Maps, Maps, Maps.   People are interested in your story.  Where is your product harvested?  How does it travel?    Consider using maps to tell your story of what makes you unique if you are a supplier.
• Pictures, Video, Pictures.   People attending Global Food Alaska are travelling long distances, whether they are the guests (buyers) or hosts (suppliers/supply chain partners).   Consider bringing photos and video that show your community, products, demonstration and testimonials of your services, harvesting locations, region, staff, etc. 
• Samples are welcome.   Food, beverage and bio products samples are welcome.   If you are planning to serve samples of food, beverage or alcohol, please contact us for permit information.      It isn't hard or expensive, but should be done early.    
• Product or service information and business cards are a must.  We anticipate 500 participants.

What Should I Wear?

Alaska business casual.   What does that mean?    Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.   The event is located inside of a sports facility.     While this is Alaska, this is a business show and what you wear reflects on your business. 

How Can I Serve Food Samples?

The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Health works with exhibitors on obtaining permits for serving samples at Global Food Alaska.   Call 907.262.5210 or email here.

How Can I Serve Alcohol Samples?

Yes.  If you are a supplier of beverage products with alcohol, you may offer samples at GFA 2009.   We will need to make special arrangements to restrict your exhibit area, so please let us know by March 1, 2009.

How Do I Find Hotel or Lodging?

We've established a page with hotel and lodging information and will update that regularly to be on top of what is new and available.  If you need help, please email us here.   Soldotna and Kenai are big destinations for summer.   Find a hotel early.

How Do I Get To Soldotna?

If you are travelling from Anchorage, you may fly or rent a car and drive.    Flying is about 20 minutes and you will land at the Kenai Airport.   If you drive, it is scenic and will take you along Knik Arm, past Girdwood, Portage Glacier, Hope, Cooper Landing and into Soldotna.   Driving can take 2.5 hours or if you are touring - can take as long as a full day.

Will There Be Internet At The Event?

Yes, there will be wireless internet at the Soldotna Sports Facility.