TRADE SHOW ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TSAP)

The Montana Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture Development Council are proud to offer qualified agricultural companies assistance with developing existing markets and reaching new markets by exhibiting at wholesale trade shows that are consistent with a company's marketing plans and goals.

Funding for this program comes from the Growth Through Agriculture Program which was established by the Montana Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through development of new agricultural products and processes.

Companies can apply for reimbursement for 50% of the cost of booth space and other eligible expenses such as shipping, drayage, up to a maximum $2,500 at eligible tradeshows. 

BEFORE THE EVENT:

The company must identify and demonstrate that the selected tradeshow is consistent with the company's marketing plan and fill out and submit the Trade Show Assistance Program application - PRIOR to the event. Application deadlines are listed below. Applications are reviewed on a competitive basis by the Department.

Companies receiving an award will be paid via reimbursement after attending the show. 

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
The objective of the Montana Department of Agriculture's Trade Show Assistance Program (TSAP) is to provide Montana value-added agriculture companies with assistance in developing existing markets and accessing new markets by sponsoring exhibition in wholesale trade shows which are consistent with the company's marketing plans and goals for expansion.

AWARD CALCULATION
The award will reimburse 50% of eligible expenses up to $2,500.

It is the intent of the Trade Show Assistance Program to provide financial assistance for exhibiting at trade shows.  Ideal steps for trade show success are as follows:

• Company has walked the show to gauge potential for success or participated in a test marketing program with a broker or distributor; (If you are unsure about whether a tradeshow is a good fit, feel free to contact Department marketing staff at the contact information below to discuss.)
• Company will exhibit at a trade show for the first and or second time in their own booth and may apply for significant risk mitigation from the Trade Show Assistance Program (up to $2,500) to determine the show’s fit with Company’s marketing plan;
• Company will exhibit on its own if the trade show is a fit for their company.

Please note that while the maximum award amount will be based on the estimates provided in the application, your reimbursement will be based upon actual costs and approved receipts provided after exhibiting at the show, not to exceed the awarded amount. 

ELIGIBILITY
To be considered eligible for the Trade Show Assistance Program grant, the following criteria must be met:
1. Application is received PRIOR to exhibiting at trade show;
2. Applicant has not received or been denied Growth Through Agriculture program funds for trade show;
3. Applicant has not received TSAP funds in the past 12 months;
4. Applicant’s company name is registered with the Montana Secretary of State;
5. Applicant’s company is a Montana company;
6. Applicant’s company or product provides an economic impact to Montana’s agricultural industry;
7. This is the first or second time Applicant will exhibit at the trade show in an individual (not shared) booth;
8. Trade show is outside the state of Montana; and
9. Trade show is for business-to-business (wholesale) customers.

The Montana Department of Agriculture will make the final decision as to a company’s eligibility for this program. Companies not eligible for Agriculture’s TSAP grant may be able to apply for the Montana Department of Commerce’s Trade Show Assistance Program grant - for questions, contact the Made in Montana program manager at 406.841.2757 or madeinmontana@mt.gov.

EVALUATION CRITERIA
TSAP applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Agricultural and Economic Impact to Montana – Application should demonstrate the applicant's impact to Montana agriculture and the economy of Montana. The economic impact can be through increased sales, increased utilization of Montana agricultural inputs, employment retention or addition, or added value.

• Marketing Strategy – Applicants should offer reasons why the proposed trade show is consistent with their marketing plan and growth strategy.

• Potential for Success – Applicant's goals should reflect careful consideration and realistic expectations for the trade show and should be specific, measurable and attainable with deadlines for achieving objectives.

• Budget – The TSAP reimbursement amount will be figured as 50% of the cost of eligible expenses, not to exceed $2,500.

TO START AN APPLICATION

• Register with the Montana Secretary of State. If your company is not already registered with the Montana Secretary of State, you may need to do so before going any further with the application process. Organizations other than Sole Proprietorships must be registered with the Montana Secretary of State prior to submittal of the Growth Through Agriculture Trade Show Assistance Grant.

• Before you can fill out an application, make sure that you have registered and received a username and password at www.fundingmt.org - click on "Register" in blue in the upper right of this page. Then click on "Register Here" link in blue in the middle right of the next page.

• Complete registration page & click "Register" to submit your registration. The Department of Agriculture must approve your registration before WebGrants will email your User ID and password to you. This process may take several business days to receive your login information, so please be patient. Please contact Lindy Davies at 406-444-0511 if you have any questions or problems with registration process.

• After registering, log in with your username and password, click on "Funding Opportunities" and select "AGR Trade Show Assistance Program" from the list. Then click "Start a New Application" near the mid-right of the screen.

• Fill out the General Information form and click "Save" in the upper right corner of the screen and then click on "Go to Application Forms".

• Click on each application form listed in blue, complete, save, review and then click on "Mark as Complete".

• Once all forms have been completed and clicked "Mark as Complete" - review the application in its entirety by clicking on "Application Details". If ready to submit, click "Go to Application Forms" and click "Submit". You will receive an email confirming your application submission. If no email is received, contact program staff at the number above to confirm receipt.

Final Deadline: June 1, 2016 by 2:00pm - submit by May 31st in order to allow time to respond to any technical issues that may arise prior to the deadline.

Additional Items to Note:

Staff Application Review Criteria and Evaluation Process. Applications will be reviewed by both staff who will provide funding recommendations to the Director of the Montana Department of Agriculture. The general review criteria used by staff to review the project are attached below.

Decision Timeline. Funding decisions should be made in July 2016.

Application Questions? You may contact Growth Through Agriculture/Trade Show Assistance Program staff at gta@mt.gov or (406) 444-0511 for assistance.

If Awarded: Grantees will be required to submit:

(1) Documentation regarding all costs & submit copies of receipts, invoices, etc.

(2) Photo(s) of the company representative(s) in the booth at the trade show.

(3) Post tradeshow survey (form attached below).

Tradeshow Questions? For tradeshow tips and advice - contact Department Marketing Staff at 406-444-9126 or 406-444-5425 or mearnheart@mt.gov or shystad@mt.gov.  Please also reference the attached document below titled "Exhibiting Tips."