Fair Trade Futures Conference just hours away!

In fewer than 48 hours, I'll be on an airplane headed toward Boston for the Fair Trade Futures Conference and very much looking forward to it! 

Fair Trade Futures Conference, Boston, Sept 10-12, 2010

While the Fair Trade Federation organizes a conference annually, the Fair Trade Futures conference is scheduled every five years and attracts over 700 fair trade supporters, importers, retailers, students, and activists. It's a great opportunity to interact with fellow fair trade supporters all over the country, but all over the world as well since many come in from outside of the United States and Canada to learn more about what is happening in the movement nationally and internationally.

Also, Chicago looks like it's going to have a rather large contingency, which is very exciting! Chicago Fair Trade will be there in full force! 

I've made it to most of the conferences since World Shoppe launched almost 7 years ago (I've missed some because of work schedules or weddings planned over the same weekend as the conferences.) and I can tell you first-hand that the conferences are top-notch, inspiring and refreshing. Yes, you'll enjoy your typical speakers (I'm actually speaking on Sunday on how to attract media attention to your fair trade work - 10:30 a.m. on Sunday if you're interested in joining me!) but in addition to the speakers, you'll meet others who are in a similar place in the movement, whether new to it, wanting to learn more, just opened a shop, have been managing a shop for decades, just started importing or importing for several years, etc. You'll also be able to shop the Fair Trade Marketplace with more than 75 companies and organizations showing their products to the general public and retailers interested in stocking new fair trade products in their shops.

If you're attending the conference, please let me know - it would be great to see you! I'll be at the Marketplace, too, so stop by and say hello. 

Here's to a successful Conference! See you soon!

-Megy Karydes, Founder

World Shoppe

www.World-Shoppe.com

Fair Trade Futures Conference - Are you in?

This September, we have an exciting opportunity to work with other fair trade supporters and activist to share the importance of fair trade in the U.S. I've been attending the Fair Trade Federation conferences almost annually since I started World Shoppe (www.World-Shoppe.com) and became a member of the non-profit organization whose mission is to advance fair trade in the United States. My first conference happened to be the Fair Trade Futures Conference in Chicago and more than 750 people showed up - more than twice what the organizers expected. It was amazing.

So it is with much excitement that I am attending this year's conference in Boston, September 10-12. Whether you're a student, importer, fair trade shop owner, or someone interested in learning more about what fair trade means, I urge you to consider attending the conference. You can learn more about the planned events at: http://fairtradeconference.ning.com/. If you plan to attend, please let me know (you can connect with me on the Ning Network, too).

If you can't come, please help us spread the word - post the event on your Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, LinkedIn accounts, YouTube, other blogs, your Web site(s). The more people talking about this important event, the more people will learn and understand how important fair trade is in all of our lives.

What a wonderful way for all of us to show our support. I hope to see you there!

-Megy Karydes, Founder
World Shoppe
www.World-Shoppe.com