On November 19, TDA staff joined Snohomish County staff in Monroe for the annual Focus on Farming conference. It was a bustling full day event with an incredibly expansive collection of panels. TDA had the honor of constructing a set of four panels on exporting agricultural products. We heard from a number of very diverse, but equally qualified, individuals as they gave their various perspectives and insights on exporting. See the speaker list below:

Sharon Sappington, International Trade Advisor, Washington SBCD Export Center

Julie Johnson, Export Development Trade Specialist, Washington State Department of Agriculture International Marketing Program

Steve Warner, President, Washington State Wine Commission

Matt Lantz, Vice President, Global Access, Bryant Christie Inc. 

Ian Jefferds, Owner and General Manager, Penn Cove Shellfish

Dr. Jodie Jones, Veterinary Medical Officer for Import/Export for USDA APHIS

Lilly Liu, President and CEO, Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington

Sam Kaplan, President, Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle