Mountain Brook Studio shares ceramic creations.
Made in Montana Tradeshow, featuring more than 145 craftspeople, food producers, artists, and entrepreneurs, will kick off small business week at the Montana Department of Commerce.
The two-day tradeshow, held March 10-11 at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds in Helena connects wholesale buyers from across the region with Made in Montana producers. The show is expected to serve 450 wholesale buyers and more than 5,000 customers.
The show is open to registered buyers only, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, and to the public, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, when admission is free.
“We know that visitors and locals alike seek out authentic Montana products which is why this annual tradeshow is so important for bringing together buyers and sellers,” said Jan Stoddard, bureau chief for the Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development’s Sales and Constituent Services.
This year, 46 new vendors will participate in the tradeshow. For the first time, the tradeshow will feature a Native American Pavilion, featuring products made by artists, craftspeople and growers of authentic American Indian products.
Experience firsthand the quality and beauty of unique products made by Montana artists, designers and manufacturers. Products include gourmet foods and beverages, fine arts and crafts, unique apparel, accessories, home décor and much more!
Exhibitors come from all over the state to display and sell their innovative products, artful creations, and tasty treats to buyers who will soon put these products on their store shelves, use them in their restaurants, and make them available statewide to visitors and Montanans alike.
The Tradeshow first began in 1998, 14 years after the creation of the Made in Montana and Grown in Montana programs, in order to assist the marketing efforts of Montana producers looking to get their products on store shelves.
The Tradeshow was held in Great Falls under the name “Montana Marketplace for Food and
Gifts” until 2014, when the Department of Commerce moved the location back to Helena and expanded the show. Since that time, it has grown exponentially, with 160 exhibitor booths, 450 wholesale buyers, and over 5,200 consumers attending on Public Showcase Day.