What's New?

Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast have opened the 2010 Program Year. Start your 2010 export marketing strategy plans now. Visit our Activities page to register for our Buyers Missions, Focused Trade Missions, Food Show PLUS!TM  and other activities to help you begin developing relationships with qualified buyers to build your international business. Some of these activities are eligible for 50% reimbursement under our Branded Program. Visit www.brandedprogram.org to see if you company qualifies for reimbursement for international activities including tradeshow exhibition fees, label modifications, advertising and more!

 

JOB OPENINGS  

Vacancy Announcement

IT Administrator

The Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA-Northeast are private, non-profit trade associations of Midwest and Northeast state agricultural promotion agencies. Our mission is the development and expansion of international markets for U.S. food and value-added agricultural products.

The IT Administrator manages and maintains all aspects of computer networks, telecommunications, internal databases and related equipment, supporting a staff of 30 users, both locally and remote. The remote users access the Chicago-based servers via thin-client (Citrix) technology over the Internet. Provides database management and manages technology related projects. Develops queries and reports within the organizations' database, Netforum Enterprise by Avectra. Works with outside vendors to maintain, enhance and update current forms of technology and with staff to learn and educate how to effectively use information technology. Documents and tracks all technology issues that arise. Provides updated status reports on all issues and ultimate solutions. Has knowledge and experience to provide future recommendations to alleviate similar problems in the future. Offers help desk support as needed. Develops and maintains a detailed annual technology plan which includes budgets for all hardware and software.

Key organizational software includes Microsoft Small Business Server 2003, Citrix Metaframe XP, MS Office 2003, Sage MIP (Accounting), and Avectra NetForum to maintain its customer records/database. This position is a "hands-on" on technical position and requires both the ability to fix and manage IT issues on a day to day basis, as well as participate in the long-term organizational IT planning and budgeting. Experience with HTML and SQL programming is required.

Successful candidates should have a bachelor's degree in a technology-related field and a minimum of four years work experience in areas of computer networking, database design and use, system analysis or closely related field. Requires a complete understanding of appropriate personal computer network technology, operating systems, relevant hardware, and software, as they relate to database management. Requires understanding of appropriate database concepts, technology, design, implementation and applicable business use and system analysis.

We offer an excellent benefits package. Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest, resume, salary history and references, in confidence, to: recruitment@foodexport.org

We are equal opportunity employers.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Please click here for our events calendar.

 

2010 FOOD EXPORT MARKETING FORUM

September 28-29, 2010, Intercontinental Hotel, Chicago, Illinois

The deadline to register for the 2010 Food Export Marketing Forum is fast approaching! Follow this link to visit our activities page and sign up today!

In 2009, 50 U.S. suppliers participated in the Food and Beverage Buyers Mission at the Food Export Marketing Forum, making actual sales of more than $1.9 million. Of these, 29 were first-time export sales. Projected sales for the next 6 to 12 months were more than $3 million. In total, the companies made 261 contacts with new buyers and established 119 new distributorships!

Don’t miss out on the 2010 event, which includes:

Food Export Marketing Forum

Food Export Marketing Forum and Food & Beverage Buyers Mission

 

 

Participate in the Food and Beverage Buyers Mission and have guaranteed one-on-one meetings with pre-screened, qualified importers

Attend a series of education sessions to help you learn more about 20 international markets and the growing demand for American products

Meet with our international marketing representatives from over 20 markets around the world

Network with Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast and State Agricultural Promotion Agency staff

Reserve Your Hotel Room Now!

Companies can reserve sleeping rooms for the event under “Food Export 2010.” The room night charge is $199 for a standard room, excluding taxes and service charges. Reservations can be made by calling 1.800.235.4670. The last day to reserve a room is August 26, 2010.

Start Your Plans to Attend today!   For more information on the Food Export Marketing Forum or to register, follow this link

 

 

BRANDED PROGRAM  
The Branded Program is a cost-share funding program that supports the promotion of branded and private label food and agricultural products in foreign markets. Participant companies receive 50 percent cost reimbursement for a wide variety of eligible international marketing and promotional activities.  If you are not currently a registered participant in the Branded Program and would like more information, please e-mail us at info@foodexport.org or call us at 312.334.9200 or visit us online.