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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Minnesota Farmfest 2024 from August 6-8th, 2024 in Wilmar, MN: The first segment of the Agribusiness, Trade and Investment Mission will focus on facilitating tours and introductions at Minnesota Farmfest, one of the world's largest farming and food expos. It will provide multiple opportunities for trade mission participants to connect directly with local, regional and national leaders and to join in the conversations taking place that shape commercial and investment partnerships worldwide.
U.S. African Trade and Investment Summit and African Diaspora Business Summit on Aug 9th (invite only) and 10th (open to all), 2024 in St. Paul, MN: The final segment of the Agribusiness, Trade and Investment Mission will host a series of speakers, panel discussions and networking events centered on topics ranging from developing Minnesota-African business connections, doing business in Africa, opportunities for trade and investment, the African diaspora and healthcare, education and African trade barriers doing business with the US.
We look forward to welcoming our special guests Governor Tim Walz and Representative Betty McCollum, as well as our keynote speakers Senator Tina Smith, Bernhard van Lengerich, Founder & CEO of Seeding the Future Foundation, His Excellency Achille Bassilekin III, Minister of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts of Cameroon, and Her Excellency Hilda Suka-Mafudze, African Union Ambassador to the USA.
Please find attached the program of events.
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT
Please confirm your attendance by Wednesday, July 31st by emailing a completed registration form to sarneson@mnafricansunited.org. You are required to provide the following information in the registration form: name, phone, email, country representing, role in agriculture and company name (if any).
In order to participate in the event payment will also be required by Wednesday, July 31st. We accept Credit or Debit Card, PayPal, Zelle, bank transfer, western union or check. If you need to pay in person please reach out directly to the email above to make arrangements. Payment of $1,000 (per person) includes coverage for joining Minnesota Africans United's Farmfest trade mission Aug 4-8th, reception dinner on Aug 9th and Diaspora Business Summit on Aug 10th. It includes staff support, business meetings, group bus transportation during the event, group meals and networking events. It does NOT include airfare, hotels, transport or meals outside of specified mission activities, travel visas, and incidental expenses. If you cannot make Farmfest but would like to only join the Diaspora Business Summit on Aug 10th you may pay a $150 (per person) fee.
Pay by Credit or Debit Card or PayPal here.
Pay by Zelle to: bajuo@mnafricansunited.org
Pay by Bank Transfer to:
Minnesota Africans United
Account Routing number: 091000019
Account number: 3566572214
Swift Code : WFBIUS6S
Bank: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Address: 8460 Zane Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443-2257
Pay by Check Payable to: Minnesota Africans United. Please mail to:
P.O. Box 431251, Minneapolis, MN 55443.
ACCOMMODATION
We have made arrangements for discounted hotels in both the Twin Cities and at FarmFest.
Twin Cities
Discounted rate of $149 per night.
DoubleTree Hilton Minneapolis Airport, 2020 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425.
DoubleTree Hilton Phone: (952) 851-4756.
Estimated distance from the Twin Cities to Farmfest is about 2 hours.
Please see the link to a group discounted rate.
Deadline to reserve a room is on July 26.
For the nights of Aug 4th and 5th: Minnesota Africans United (hilton.com)
For the nights of Aug 8th, 9th and 10th: Minnesota Africans United (hilton.com)
Wilmar, MN (at Farmfest)
Discounted rate of $189 per night (double beds).
Best Western Plus Willmar, 2100 Highway 12 E, Willmar, MN 56201.
Best Western Phone: 320-235-6060.
Estimated distance from this hotel to the Farmfest location is about 30 minutes.
Please see the link to a group discounted rate.
For the nights of Aug 6th - 7th: mn african united
You will have to put in the arrival date and select the group rate. Group code is MAU.
TRANSPORTATION
When booking your hotel, please ask the hotel for an airport pick up. Uber/Lyft/Rideshare/Taxi Drop-off are also available options.
We will have a bus from the Twin Cities to and from FarmFest on August 6 at 7am.
OTHER
Farmfest badge and packet pickup will be Monday, Aug 5th, 2024 at 9am at DoubleTree Hilton Minneapolis.
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​​​​Platinum Sponsor
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We are excited to announce that Seeding The Future is a Platinum Sponsor of our 2024 Agriculture Trade Mission and scheduled to coincide with the largest farm and food trade show in the region – Farmfest from August 6th to the 8th in the State of Minnesota, USA. Their sponsorship and support will help us engage more African diasporas commercial farmers and business owners across various agriculture and horticulture related industries in the United States and farmers across Africa that can benefit from the contacts and information available via Farm Fest, creating new opportunities in the food and farming on Both Sides of the Atlantic. We are truly grateful for their dedicated commitment and generosity to African farmers in Africa and here in Minnesota.
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For Sponsorship opportunities please Click here
Participating as a sponsor will assist us cover expenses related to our events and program. In return for your sponsorship, you will receive special recognition across all of MAU’s social media channels, with an estimated reach of 50,000 individuals. Please see our Sponsorship Package here.