ftf 2013 conference program
DESCRIPTION
Browse our 2013 conference schedule -- complete with speaker information and Raleigh, NC sites and attractions!TRANSCRIPT
FAIR TRADE FEDERATION
Annual ConferenceMay 1-3, 2013
Raleigh, NC
#FTFConferenceRaleigh
Facebook.com/FTFederation
share ideas ● make connections ● be inspired
What do YOU love about the FTF Conference?
Wednesday, May 1
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM Registration table open
Mezzanine Lobby
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Fair Trade Expo space open for set-up
Roosevelt & Caucus. Expo maps available at registration table.
1:00 - 5:00 PM Fair Trade Federation Members’ Meeting
Washington & Jefferson
Open to FTF members only
3:30 - 5:00 PM FTF Informational Meeting
Capital Boardroom
Thinking of applying for FTF membership? Meet with FTF’s Membership & Program
Manager to learn more about member benefits, requirements, and the application
process. Open to all
5:15 - 6:45 PM Fair Trade Expo
Roosevelt & Caucus
Come see the latest fair trade designs from FTF and WFTO wholesale members.
Retailers: find new vendors and products for your store!
7:00 PM Welcome Dinner
Washington/Jefferson/Lincoln
Open to registered conference attendees only
Thursday, May 2
8:00 - 10:00 AM Breakfast Buffet
Washington Lobby
Fair Trade Expo
Roosevelt and Caucus
Peruse products over a mug of fair trade coffee!
10:15 - 11:15 AM Plenary Session: Fair Trade Chronicles: Reflections on What it Truly Means to
Trade Fairly
Washington/Jefferson/Lincoln
Speaker: Chris Treter, Higher Grounds Trading Co.
In early 2013, accompanied by a team of filmmakers and colleagues from Just Coffee
Coop, Chris Treter journeyed to the heart of fair trade, visiting coffee farmers and coops
across Central America. Their travels will be documented in the upcoming documentary
Connected By Coffee by Stone Hut Studios. Learn how Chris and his colleagues
sparked a movement-wide conversation about the roots of fair trade—and its future.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Breakout Sessions: 4 sessions running simultaneously
Session A: Roundtable: Maintaining the Roots of Fair Trade in a Changing World
Jefferson
Moderators: Monika Firl, Cooperative Coffees; Chris Treter, Higher Grounds Trading Co.
Following the plenary session, Chris Treter and Monika Firl will moderate a discussion
exploring how fair traders can maintain the roots and goals of the fair trade movement in
the context of new ideas and approaches to fair trade. What is the best way for
dedicated fair traders to communicate the importance of their work? The conversation
will touch on practicing radical transparency and the role that a holistic approach to fair
trade plays in the fair trade community today.
Session B: Safety Academy for Wholesalers: Your Product Safety Questions
Answered
Lincoln
Speaker: Neal Cohen, Consumer Product Safety Commission
Join Neal Cohen, Small Business Ombudsman at the CPSC, as he answers your
questions about product safety and compliance. Mr. Cohen will give an overview of
regulations for common fair trade products including jewelry, children’s items, and more.
Session C: Online Retailing for Small Businesses: Using Third Party Sellers to
Build Your Business
Washington
Speakers: Ed Edmundson, Earth Divas; Glenn Fadner, Kingdom Ventures
E-commerce sites like Amazon and E-bay can be a great way to boost your business—if
you use them correctly. Get tips on how to get started using third party sellers, and what
pitfalls you should avoid in order to maximize your success.
INTRODUCTORY/INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Session D: Communicating Outside the Fair Trade Bubble: Fair Trade Messaging
That Works
Sessions
Speakers: Sami Grover, The Change Creation (Moderator); Yola Carlough, B Corp; Larry
Larson, Larry’s Beans; Jerry Stifelman, The Change Creation
Sami Grover of The Change Creation, a socially conscious brand development firm, will
lead a panel of marketing-savvy colleagues to discuss a new approach to fair trade
messaging. Hear their thoughts on reaching consumers in innovative and meaningful
ways while keeping the fair trade message alive.
1:00 – 2:00 PM Lunch Buffet
Washington/Jefferson/Lincoln
2:15 – 3:30 PM Breakout Sessions: 4 sessions running simultaneously
Session A: Keeping it Real: This is What Fair Trade Coffee Looks Like
Jefferson
Speakers: Monika Firl, Cooperative Coffees (Moderator); Meghan Hubbs, Equal
Exchange; Kim Elena Ionescu, Counter Culture Coffee
With a proliferation of labels and certifications, the world of fair trade coffee is becoming
more complex. Explore new trends in coffee auditing, and learn how to talk to customers
about these changes. What role can certification play? What other options exist,
including public reporting, self-monitoring, and memberships? Join representatives from
three fair trade coffee organizations for an update on new strategies that fair traders are
using to address the issue of transparency in the coffee industry. INTERMEDIATE
LEVEL
Session B: Thinking Long Range: Strategic Planning
Lincoln
Speaker: Ora Grodsky, Just Works Consulting
A strategic plan can help you take your business to the next level. This workshop will
cover the components of strategic planning and ways to create planning processes that
are engaging and meaningful. Come away with ideas for how to make a strategic plan
that is dynamic and useful.
Session C: Scaling Up Your Overseas Operation: Managing Staff, Navigating
Pitfalls, and Maintaining Relationships
Washington
Speaker: Amanda Judge, Andean Collection
Managing a fast growing fair trade company is complicated work! Join Amanda Judge as
she shares what she has learned about successfully scaling up overseas operations
while maintaining integrity, fair trade principles and strong relationships on the ground.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED LEVEL
Session D: Tech Is On Your Side: Making Technology Work for Your Fair Trade
Organization
Sessions
Speakers: Jon Saints, Dsenyo; Marissa Saints, Dsenyo
Are you spending too much time wrestling with technology? Technology should work for
you. Jon and Marissa will present a variety of helpful tech tools including ecommerce,
CRM, Shipping/Fulfillment and more. No computer science degree necessary! This
session covers success stories that will help you get organized and grow your business.
INTRODUCTORY/INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
3:45 - 5:00 PM: Breakout Sessions: 4 sessions running simultaneously
Session A: Train, Empower, Delegate: Laying the Groundwork for Long Term
Growth of your Retail Store
Jefferson
Speaker: Brian Smucker, Baksheesh
Let your business grow with you! Learn to share responsibilities while empowering others
within your organization to make effective decisions. Join Brian Smucker, a successful
retailer, as he shares his experiences in laying the foundation for business growth in fair
trade retail stores. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Session B: Artisan Conversation & Basket Weaving Demo
Lincoln
Speakers: Gloria Chonay, Xeabaj Women’s Cooperative; Vera Hernández, Mayan
Hands; Anne Kelly, Mayan Hands; Brenda Rosenbaum, Mayan Hands
Gloria Chonay is one of the leaders of a women’s artisan cooperative in Xeabaj, a rural
community in Santa Apolonia, Chimaltenango, in the western highlands of Guatemala.
Gloria’s cooperative works with Mayan Hands, a fair trade organization that partners with
Mayan weavers and artisans. Come listen to Gloria’s story, learn about traditional and
contemporary Mayan artistry, and get a firsthand look at the pine needle basket weaving
process!
Session C: Quick Tricks: Little Ways to Make a Big Impact in Social Media
Washington
Speaker: Jonit Bookheim, Mata Traders
Are you intimidated by social media? Interested in engaging your customers via
Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms, but need some advice on what is
appropriate to post, how often to post, and how to reach the most people? Join Jonit
Bookheim to learn how to develop a basic, cohesive strategy that is simple, doable and
impactful. INTRODUCTORY LEVEL
Session D: Trade Show Exhibit Designs: Displays that Drive Sales
Sessions
Speaker: Jacque St. James-Wong, Tibet Collection/dZi, Inc.
Make the most of your trade show investment! Attract new buyers while you tell your fair
trade story. Jacque St. James-Wong is a trade show guru who has spent years creating
compelling exhibits. Join her for practical design tips and strategies to make your trade
show experience worthwhile. INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED LEVEL
5:00 – 6:30 PM Fair Trade Expo space available for exhibitor break-down
Dinner on your own
For those who wish to venture into downtown Raleigh, see the Restaurants & Attractions
section for a list of recommended restaurants and fair trade businesses.
7:30 PM Screening of The People and The Olive: The Story of the Run Across Palestine
Sessions
Join us for a documentary screening, followed by a Q&A and discussion with filmmaker
Aaron Dennis. This documentary chronicles the joys and struggles of Palestinian fair
trade farmers and the ultra-marathoners who ran across the West Bank, planting olive
trees and bridging cultures along the way.
FRIDAY, MAY 3
8:00 - 9:00 AM Breakfast Buffet
Roosevelt
9:15 - 10:30 AM Breakout Sessions: 4 sessions running simultaneously
Session A: Making a Fair Trade Towns Campaign Work for You: Building
Excitement in Your Community
Jefferson
Speakers: Billy Linstead Goldsmith, Fair Trade Campaigns; Keilayn Skutvik, Ten
Thousand Villages Chapel Hill
Fair Trade Towns and Universities campaigns are a great way to engage your local fair
trade community and get customers excited about their purchasing power. Billy Linstead
Goldsmith and Keilayn Skutvik will share practical tips for making a campaign work as a
win-win collaboration between your town and your fair trade organization.
Representatives from the Keene State Fair Trade Universities campaign will also be
joining the conversation.
Session B: Financial Benchmarking for Wholesalers
Lincoln
Speakers: Kristin Johnson, Global Mamas; Kevin Ward, Global Crafts
This session will serve as the kickoff for a working group of dedicated fair trade
wholesalers interested in sharing company financial information in order to benchmark
best practices and share strategies for growth. Participants must have submitted
financial information in advance in order to participate. ADVANCED LEVEL
Session C: Domestic Fair Trade: A Retailers’ Roundtable
Washington
Moderator: Rachel Simeon, GrassRoots Fair Trade
Join fellow fair trade retail stores in a structured roundtable session that will encourage
constructive dialogue about North American fair trade. How do domestically-produced
products fit into the fair trade movement, especially at the retail level? How does
domestic fair trade relate to the mission and work of dedicated fair trade retail stores?
Session D: Not Your Mother's Fair Trade: Design and Style in a Trend Conscious
World
Sessions
Speaker: Jennifer Moran, GREENOLA Style
In today's marketplace, consumers want to look good and do good. Can fair trade
design compete in a mainstream marketplace? Join Jennifer Moran as she shares
ideas for using design to reach trend conscious consumers while still maintaining fair
trade values. INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED LEVEL.
Racing to your shelves soon!
Check out our new 6 inch elephants
and hippos, as well as our recycled
glass jewelry and the popular new
“Be The Change” line!
And ask about our artist videos!
www.VentureImports.com
www.Facebook.com/VentureImports
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM Breakout Sessions – 4 sessions running simultaneously
Session A: Building Community and Capacity: Practical Approaches to Producer
Empowerment
Jefferson
Speakers: Naomi Czerwinskyj, ARZU STUDIO HOPE/Peace Cord®;
Michael Skillicorn, Dean’s Beans; Randi Stoltz, On the Ground
How do fair trade organizations empower artisans and farmers and help them become
self-sufficient? Join panelists for a discussion of innovative approaches across industries,
including case studies about farmers organizing in Guatemala, training programs for
artisans, and successful partnerships. ADVANCED LEVEL
Session B: The WFTO Guarantee System
Lincoln
Speaker: Bob Chase, SERRV
Get an update on the proposed WFTO Guarantee System, which seeks to create an
affordable and comprehensive system for auditing fair trade organizations. Bob Chase,
CEO of SERRV and a member of the WFTO Board of Directors, will present results from
11 pilot certifications of both Northern and Southern organizations. INTERMEDIATE
LEVEL
Session C: Roundtable: Retailers & Wholesalers Share Challenges and Solutions
Washington
Moderators: Dr. Kimberly Grimes, Made by Hand International
Co-operative; Marco Antonio Hernandez, Made by Hand International
Co-operative
As partners in fair trade, how can we make business easier, and life better, for each
other? Retailers and wholesalers share practical ideas and feedback for creating a
smooth and healthy fair trade supply chain.
Session D: Communicating on the Sales Floor: Retail Messaging that Resonates
Sessions
Speaker: Jocelyn Boreta, Global Exchange
In this collaborative session for retailers, get fresh ideas about techniques for sharing the
message of fair trade to consumers in your store. Discover ideas that work (and those
that didn’t!) in creating effective displays, marketing, and PR campaigns. Participants are
encouraged to bring examples & anecdotes from their store. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
12:15 - 1:30 PM: Lunch
Roosevelt
1:45 - 3:00 PM: Breakout Sessions: 4 sessions running simultaneously
Session A: Bringing Fair Trade Home: Creating Sound Employee Policies in your
North American Business
Jefferson
Speaker: Candi Horton, Baksheesh
Bring fair trade principles full circle with this session on providing equitable
opportunities for your employees here in North America. Candi Horton will share
example compensation levels and compensation planning materials, tips for
establishing job descriptions and salary levels, industry data on sales-to-compensation
ratios—and the heart behind all those numbers. INTRODUCTORY/INTERMEDIATE
LEVEL
Session B: Artisan Conversation & Basket Weaving Demo
Lincoln
Speakers: Gloria Chonay, Xeabaj Women’s Cooperative; Vera Hernández, Mayan
Hands; Anne Kelly, Mayan Hands; Brenda Rosenbaum, Mayan Hands
Gloria Chonay is one of the leaders of a women’s artisan cooperative in Xeabaj, a rural
community in Santa Apolonia, Chimaltenango, in the western highlands of Guatemala.
Gloria’s cooperative works with Mayan Hands, a fair trade organization that partners
with Mayan weavers and artisans. Come listen to Gloria’s story, learn about traditional
and contemporary Mayan artistry, and get a firsthand look at the pine needle basket
weaving process!
Session C: Roundtable: Building a Strong Fair Trade Movement in Canada
Washington
Moderator: Madeline Kreider Carlson, Fair Trade Federation
Scattered across a huge geographic area, fair traders in Canada have limited
opportunities to connect in person. Join in discussing ways to build the movement in
Canada and create stronger ties between Canadian fair trade organizations.
Session D: Greening Your Wholesale Business: Environmentally Conscious
Solutions
Sessions
Speakers: Alison Hanson, Handmade Expressions; Kevin Ward, Global Crafts
In this session, explore ways to be kind to Mother Earth while balancing practical
business needs. This session will address common sustainability challenges, and
provide practical solutions for packaging, purchasing, and shipping as well as strategies
for reducing negative environmental impact at the artisan level.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED LEVEL
3:00 - 3:30 PM Conference Closing: Coffee & Goodbyes
Caucus
SPEAKERS
Jonit Bookheim, Co-Owner, Mata Traders
Jonit and her friends started traveling after college and
got hooked. One thing lead to another, and now the trio
are running a fair trade fashion company together.
Though these women have no background in fashion or
business, the company has been growing steadily with
a learn-as-you-go, do-it-yourself approach. Before Mata
Traders, Jonit worked at a homeless service
organization and for various electoral-style door-to-door
campaigns, and earned a master’s in sustainable
development. Her philosophy is “Don’t be afraid to try
something new!”
Jocelyn Boreta, Fair Trade Stores Program Director,
Global Exchange
Jocelyn has committed herself to arts, activism, and
economic justice through her undergraduate studies in
Cultural Anthropology and long-time work with Global
Exchange. Through seven years of managing, buying,
and currently directing the Global Exchange Fair Trade
Stores, she is experienced in bringing the fair trade
movement to the sales floor. With a strong knowledge
of the US based fair trade retail market and experience
working directly with artisans internationally, she
recognizes the power of building sales and marketing
plans on the foundation of artisan empowerment.
Bob Chase, CEO, SERRV
Bob began his international career as a Peace Corps
volunteer in Northeast Brazil. Subsequently, he worked
for several nonprofit organizations before embarking on
a career in the investment field while he and his wife
also operated a fair trade store. Since Bob joined
SERRV, the organization has more than tripled in size
and embarked on an extensive development agenda.
Bob was the founder of the Valley Interfaith Refugee
Resettlement Committee and was awarded the
Brotherhood award by the National Conference of
Christians and Jews for this work.
Gloria Chonay, Xeabaj Cooperative
Gloria is a leader of a cooperative of basket makers in
Xeabaj, a rural community in Santa Apolonia,
Chimaltenango, in the western highlands of
Guatemala. Gloria’s cooperative works with Mayan
Hands, a fair trade nonprofit organization that partners
with Mayan weavers and artisans. As a group leader,
Gloria assists the women who are unable to read or
write, translates for visitors, checks for quality, and
ensures that the cooperative functions efficiently and
fairly. Under Gloria’s leadership, the cooperative has
nearly doubled in size. The demand for their fine
basketry increases each year and the Smithsonian
Museum Gift Shop now orders from them.
Neal S. Cohen, Small Business Ombudsman, U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Neal provides guidance specifically tailored to small
businesses and small-batch manufacturers and actively
shares industry information gained from manufacturers,
retailers, and distributors concerning CPSC laws and
regulations within the agency. Prior to joining CPSC in
2009, Mr. Cohen was a criminal prosecutor in New York
City. He received his B.A. from Swarthmore College
and his J.D. from the Emory University School of Law.
Mr. Cohen is a member of the New York State Bar.
Naomi Czerwinskyj, Product Manager, ARZU
STUDIO HOPE/Peace Cord®
Naomi has over seven years of experience working with
global producers and traveling internationally. She has
a deep personal and professional passion for fair trade.
She traveled to Guatemala where she lived with a fair
trade organization working with indigenous Maya
artisans. She now works for a social enterprise called
ARZU STUDIO HOPE developing products for the
international market and providing social benefits for
Afghan artisans. Over the years, she has acquired
product development, sales, marketing, public relations,
website development, and social media skills.
Ed Edmundson, Founder, Earth Divas
Ed is the founder of Earth Divas, a fair trade
company/movement/mission created to help women in
Nepal design and make beautiful, wearable works of
art. All the profits from the sale of these items are then
returned to the artisans. Prior to starting Earth
Divas, Ed worked in the Internet industry for several
companies including GeoCities and Net2Phone, and
was a brand manager for Gordon's Gin. Ed is married to
Tina Edmundson, and they have one daughter, Darcy,
who is 11 years old. They live in Potomac, MD.
Glenn Fadner, Owner, Kingdom Ventures
After a 32-year career in Information Technology, Glenn
Fadner knew that he wanted a “change,” but
“retirement” wasn’t his idea of change. He and Rebecca
launched Kingdom Ventures Inc. in 2005 as their way of
making a difference in the world. Today KVI works with
artisan groups in 4 countries, importing their products
for sale throughout North America. KVI wholesales to
numerous Fair Trade and “conventional” stores and
also offers their products on their own website as well
as through their eBay store. “I can’t imagine any other
occupation where such small things can make such a
difference,” says Glenn.
Monika Firl, Communications and Producer
Relations Manager, Cooperative Coffee Montreal
Prior to coffee, Monika worked with locally based
development projects while living in Central America
and Mexico from 1991 to 2000. Her experiences range
from founding and directing a center in San Salvador for
the exchange of information on alternative technology,
to direct technical trainings via a regional Campesino a
Campesino program promoting sustainable production
practices and market alternatives. Monika has an MA in
Journalism and degrees in International Relations and
German. She got her start in business -- growing up in
the backroom of her parents' independent retail shop.
Dr. Kimberly M. Grimes, Director, Made by Hand
Kimberly is an anthropology professor at the University
of Delaware and is the Director of Made By Hand
International Cooperative, a fair trade organization in
Delaware. She is the author of 4 books: Crossing
Borders: Changing Social Identities in Southern Mexico;
Artisans and Cooperatives: Developing Alternative
Trade for the Global Economy; A Guide for Retailers:
Creating a Successful Fair Trade Business; and with
Marco, a children’s book, A Journey in the Amazon.
She has served on the Board of Directors for the Fair
Trade Federation and SERRV International and was
Chair of the Board for the Fair Trade Resource
Network.
Ora Grodsky, Just Works Consulting
Ora has been consulting to organizations that work for
social change for over 15 years. She’s a skillful trainer
and facilitator with a creative, empathetic approach that
engages groups and leaves them feeling more
energized, optimistic, and directed. She’s led dozens of
organizations through strategic planning processes
resulting in exciting yet realistic plans that are essential
guides for future action and decision-making. After
receiving a Master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate
School of Education, she began consulting as a Youth
Development Specialist, helping schools and
community organizations build the capacity of youth to
create healthier communities. Ora lives in the Boston
area with her husband and their two teenage
daughters.
Sami Grover, Creative Director, The Change
Creation
Sami is a writer and Creative Director at The Change
Creation, a worker-owned brand creation agency that
works with entities who make the world better, fairer or
truer. Clients include Larry’s Beans, Burt's Bees,
Canaan Fair Trade, Jada Pinkett Smith/Overbrook
Entertainment and The Redwoods Group. Sami is
deeply interested in how we can tap into universal
values of fairness and justice to create social change
beyond the boundaries of our movement. He is also a
contributing writer at TreeHugger.com and the Mother
Nature Network.
Alison Hanson, Sustainability Manager &
Production Coordinator, Handmade Expressions
Alison received her BA in Business Economics
alongside minors in anthropology and global studies at
UCLA, where she examined economic development,
social inequality and feminist theory. Shortly after
graduating, Alison moved to Austin and joined
Handmade Expressions’ team, spearheading the
company’s understanding of its social and
environmental impact. Alison is passionate about social
development and gender equality and looks forward to
contributing to the evolution of sustainability.
Marco Antonio Hernandez, Manager, Made by Hand
Marco is a Latin American folk musician who has
played in several groups in Mexico and the US, and has
composed 4 CDs: Music of the Andes, Pueblos
Andinos, Global Relaxation Journey (a benefit CD for
FTRN), and A Journey in the Amazon in 2007. He has
managed a fair trade retail store, Made By Hand
International Cooperative, since 1996.
Vera Hernández, Assistant Director, Mayan Hands
Vera is in charge of communication between the office
in Guatemala City and staff and clients in the United
States. She also coordinates various stages of product
development, takes orders, provides supplies to the
artisans, and ensures quality control. Vera was initially
drawn to work with Mayan Hands because she wanted
to connect with Mayan women and assist them in their
quest to raise their families out of extreme poverty. Vera
visits the communities where Mayan Hands artisans live
and work to assist in training and product development,
translates for visitors from the United States, and
supports the scholarship program.
Candi Horton, Co-Owner, Baksheesh
Candi has been in retail management for 38 years. She
worked as VP of Operations for a bookstore franchise in
the Midwest before being introduced to fair trade in
1987. Since then, Candi has worked to start and grow
fair trade stores across the US and Canada. This
included developing and teaching a week-long
manager’s training seminar and helping to open 9 fair
trade stores. She has lived in Sonoma since 1997 and
is co-owner of Baksheesh, a fair trade gift retailer with
stores in Sonoma and St. Helena, California.
Meghan Hubbs, Café Developer, Equal Exchange
Meghan wields a degree in Advertising from Michigan
State and a passion for authentic fair trade and high
quality coffee. Her life’s work is connecting producers
and consumers through shared values and fun, savvy
marketing in order to change the global economic
landscape. For more than a decade, Meghan has lent
her passion and creativity to Equal Exchange. After
working as a marketing consultant for Equal Exchange
Espresso Bar in Seattle, she brought her expertise back
to the East Coast to become a full-time Café Developer.
She opened the co-op’s flagship café in Boston and
with the hope of engaging consumers in a unique way,
launched the city’s first café on bikes.
Kim Elena Ionescu, Coffee Buyer and Sustainability
Manager, Counter Culture Coffee
Kim delights in exploring the areas where coffee and
business interests overlap with environmental and
social themes. When not dismantling assumptions
about sustainable coffee, she spends her time cupping,
writing and speaking on behalf of Counter Culture
Coffee in Durham, North Carolina, where she
serves as a coffee buyer and the company's
Sustainability Manager.
Kristin Johnson, Co-Founder, Global Mamas
(Women in Progress)
Kristin Johnson began working for women
entrepreneurs in Ghana nearly 20 years ago, helping
them to grow their businesses and enhance their
profitability while working as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
After returning to the US she maintained close
relationships with many of the women and began
selling their products in the US through informal
channels. In 2002, Kristin co-founded
Global Mamas (also known as Women in Progress),
which started with six founding Mamas and today
provides sustainable livelihoods to nearly six hundred
women.
Amanda Judge, Founder & CEO, Andean Collection
Amanda started Andean Collection while interviewing
rural Ecuadorian women for her master’s thesis on
poverty reduction strategies. Amanda holds an M.A in
Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Tufts
University and a B.A. in Finance from Santa Clara
University. Amanda is an innovative social entrepreneur
who is intent on showing that business acumen and
social good are not mutually exclusive. She is a regular
attendee at CEO and social entrepreneur events such
as OnCue and Summit Series, and was recently named
a ‘Better Business Babe’ by Women’s Health Magazine.
Anne Kelly, Associate Director, Mayan Hands
Anne is the associate director of Mayan Hands, a non-
profit Fair Trade organization partnering with Mayan
weavers in Guatemala, and has been involved with the
Fair Trade Colleges and Universities campaign since its
inception. Prior to joining Mayan Hands, Anne was Fair
Trade coordinator at the Labor-Religion Coalition of
New York State, where she engaged unions, faith
communities, teachers and students to take action on
issues of fair trade, workers rights, child labor and farm-
worker justice. Anne is inspired by the determination of
students to make a difference in the world.
Larry Larson, Founder & CEO, Larry's Beans
Larry has been chief strategist and brand creator of the
company for 17 years. Larry served as Chairperson of
the Board for Fair Trade Resource Network and for
Cooperative Coffees. A big believer in truth and
authenticity, Larry believes we will only build our
movement if we make our communications genuinely
relevant to the values and interests of the audiences we
want to reach.
Rachel Lieder Simeon, Manager, GrassRoots Fair
Trade
Before working at GrassRoots in Anchorage, Alaska,
Rachel worked as an executive in non-profit settings for
over 25 years. She has extensive experience in
facilitating groups and has traveled widely throughout
the world. She is married to Mark Haines Simeon and
they are the proud parents of two grown daughters:
Anna, who is completing a Masters in Tropical Marine
Biology in Guam; and Kate who is the novice crew
coach at the University of Chicago and a coordinator for
the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
Billy Linstead Goldsmith, National Coordinator, Fair
Trade Campaigns
Billy Linstead Goldsmith came to Fair Trade Towns
USA from a seven year career in the grassroots
environmental movement. As a Staff & Outreach
Director with Clean Water Action, he recruited, trained
and developed hundreds of grassroots organizers and
facilitated campaigns on national, statewide, and local
campaigns. He has mobilized fence-line communities,
organized public hearings and other local actions to
hold polluters accountable. Upon traveling with his wife,
Rachel, to Venezuela in 2006, Billy was inspired to
focus his career on international justice and has
embraced the opportunity to participate in the Fair
Trade movement.
Jen Moran, Founder, GREENOLA Style
GREENOLA Style founder Jen Moran challenges the
norm while forwarding the social enterprise movement.
Through design and fashion, GREENOLA Style
transforms women's lives, directly empowering them
and their families to rise above poverty. Moran has
been invited to present at various venues to share her
experiences, motions, and ideas to entrepreneurs.
Moran has been recognized for her work by Loyola
University of Chicago, The University of Chicago,
Stonyfield Entrepreneurship Institute, DePaul
University, Green Festivals, and Chicago Ideas Week
2012.
Michael Skillicorn, Farmer Relations, Dean's Beans
Organic Coffee
Michael works with farmer cooperatives in Latin
America to build strong, equitable trading relationships
and promote positive social change. Prior to working at
Dean's Beans, Michael worked at a farmer’s
cooperative in Northern Peru and co-founded a café
there. He was educated at the University of Vermont
and received an undergraduate degree in Community
and International Development.
Keilayn Skutvik, Manager, Ten Thousand Villages
As the manager of the Chapel Hill Ten Thousand
Villages since 2007, Keilayn Skutvik has worked with
Fair Trade Towns for the past three years. She was
instrumental in bringing together a group of students
and townspeople to fulfill the criteria for FTT
recognition in October 2012. Chapel Hill has built
support through partnerships with student groups at
UNC, church members, Fair Trade social advocates,
and town leaders including the Chamber of Commerce.
Brian Smucker, Co-Founder, Baksheesh
Baksheesh is a fully committed fair trade retailer with
stores in Sonoma and St. Helena, CA. Previously, Brian
worked for Ten Thousand Villages and a magazine
publishing company. He has served on 15 nonprofit
boards, including FTF. Brian has been directly involved
with eight fair trade store startups. He and his wife
Candi do startup consulting and mentoring with fair
trade retailers around the US. He has been active in fair
trade full-time since 1993 and is now working toward
retirement.
Jerry Stifelman, Founder & Creative Guru, The
Change Creation
Between 1993 and 2004, Jerry worked as a brand
strategist, creative director and writer for leading
brands, including MTV, Banana Republic, DKNY,
Mountain Dew, Chrysler, Jeep, Sun Microsystems, and
Reebok. After a decade in this traditional branding
world, Jerry -- convinced that the truth is your best
tool -- founded The Change Creation to work with
good-for-the-world brands as well as justice-seeking,
environmental, and world-changing organizations.
Jacque St. James-Wong, Design & Marketing
Director, Tibet Collection
As a passionate, committed advocate of fair trade
principles and practice, Jacque has spent 13 plus years
practicing, promoting and advocating fair trade with dZi
inc. Her primary goals with the company have been
geared towards creating and maintaining a sustainable
business model by providing artisans with the
education, tools and skills they require to be successful
in a global enterprise. Tibet Collection is a mission-
based fair trade company, where Jacque’s duties
include branding, logo and package design, print
advertising, web and catalog layout and design, trends
and market research, copy writing, product
development and artisan training workshops. She is a
graduate of PSU with a BA in Painting and English.
Randi Stoltz, Program Administrator, On the Ground
On the Ground is a Michigan-based nonprofit that
supports sustainable community development in
farming regions across the world. On The Ground has
ongoing projects in Chiapas, Ethiopia, and Palestine
with a focus on education, clean water, healthcare, and
social justice. In February 2012, Randi participated in
the Run Across Palestine, a five day, 129-mile ultra-
marathon during which On The Ground teamed up with
Canaan Fair Trade and The Palestinian Fair Trade
Association to raise funds and awareness for the fair
trade olive farmers of Palestine.
Chris Treter, Co-founder & President, Higher
Grounds Trading Co.
Chris is the president of Michigan's 100% fair trade and
organic coffee roasting company and is the Vice-Chair
on the BOD of Cooperative Coffees, the world's only fair
trade, organic green bean importing cooperative. Chris
is also a founder of On the Ground- a not for profit
organization dedicated to supporting fair trade farming
families around the world by constructing schools in
Ethiopia, water projects in Mexico, and agricultural work
in Palestine. Chris is featured in the documentary The
People and the Olive which follows the On the Ground
event, the Run Across Palestine.
Kevin Ward, Co-Founder & CEO, Global Crafts
Kevin graduated with a BA in Sociology and an MS in
Computer Systems from Greenwich University London.
In 1999 Kevin moved from a computer science teaching
position in the UK to volunteer for three years in Kenya
at Kisumu Polytechnic, where he began to explore
ecommerce opportunities with local artisans in 2000
and 2001. Upon completing his volunteer experience,
Kevin came to the USA and launched Global Crafts.
Global Crafts has undergone significant shifts over the
years from a physical retail store to primarily an online
wholesale company.
RALEIGH, NC
RESTAURANTS & ATTRACTIONS
Recommendations from locals Shari Keller,
Elizabeth Altman, Kyley Schmidt, and Sharon Gale!
Explore
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
11 West Jones Street
(919) 707-9800
North Carolina Museum of Art
2110 Blue Ridge Road
(919) 839-6262
North Carolina Museum of History
5 E. Edenton St
(919) 807-7850
Umstead Park
Easily accessible by car, bus, or bike, Umstead is a
natural haven from the Triangle's urban zones, centrally
located next to RDU International Airport. Miles of trails,
both paved and unpaved, provide access for hikers,
campers, bikers and joggers to three lakes and over
5380 acres.
Eat & Drink
The Fiction Kitchen
www.thefictionkitchen.com
428 S. Dawson Street
(919) 831-4177
“Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free!”
Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern
www.second-empire.com
330 Hillsborough Street
(919) 829-3663
“High-end, impeccable food. Very elegant!”
The Daily Planet Café (inside the Natural Science
Museum)
11 West Jones Street
“Local food, microbrews, and Larry’s Beans coffee!”
The Third Place
1811 Glenwood Avenue
(919) 834-6566
Coffeehouse, breakfast, sandwiches, café.
“Kid-friendly. Rated best coffeehouse in Raleigh from
LocalEats!”
Mantra Indian Cuisine & Bar
116 N West Street, Suite 100
(919) 833-2823
“The best Indian food in Raleigh. Patio seating!”
Sawasdee
6204 Glenwood Ave
(919)781-7599
Thai restaurant.
Irregardless Café
www.irregardless.com
(919) 833-8898
Vegetarian, meat and fish entrees. Includes bar.
“Live music on Thursday evenings during dinner
(various instrumentalists or acoustic guitar).”
Bu Ku
www.bukuraleigh.com/buku
110 East Davie Street
(919) 834-6963
Global street food theme; eclectic menu from all over
the world. “Fun to treat this like a tapas place where
friends share their dishes around the table.”
Bida Manda
www.bidamanda.com
222 South Blount Street
Laotian restaurant & bar. “Lovely, charming, tasty!”
The Remedy Diner
137 E. Hargett Street
Vegetarian or omnivore friendly. Seasonal menu.
Guitars welcome!
Zely & Ritz
301 Glenwood Ave.
“Not too many places grow their own food. Try the
crème brulee.”
Moonlight Pizza
615 W. Morgan Street
“Toppings span from pistachios to shrimp”
Rockford
320 ½ Glenwood Ave.
“Easy, vegetarian-friendly, good cocktails.”
Tir Na Nog
218 S. Blount Street
“Reminds us of a pub in Dublin!”
J. Betski’s
10 W. Franklin Street
“If you had a great grandma from Poland, this is
what she would cook.”
Poole’s
426 South McDowell Street
“Locally grown food in an old-style diner.
Chalkboard menu changes with the season. “
Sitti
137 S. Wilmington Street
“The best lamb ever.”
Lilly’s Pizza
1813 Glenwood Ave.
“Try the Buddha pizza!”
The Foundation
213 Fayetteville Street
“No food, but cocktails that will blow your mind.”
Dos Toquitos
106 S. Wilmington Street
“Delicious fresh cocktails, Mexican food, and
ambiance that won’t quit.”
Babylon
309 N. Dawson Street
“Moroccan 5-star flair for 2-star prices.”
David’s Dumpling and Noodle Bar
1900 Hillsborough Street
“Asian fusion food that makes me want to dance.”
Big Boss Microbrewery
1249 Wicker Drive
“No food, but you can have take-out delivered to the
pub.”
18 Seaboard
18 Seaboard Ave.
“Southern cooking!”
Local Fair Trade Federation
Members
Unique Batik (Wholesale)
705 Georgetown Road, Raleigh, NC
Larry's Beans (Wholesale)
1507 Gavin Street, Raleigh, NC
Mehera Shaw (Wholesale)
3307 Trice Atwater Road, Chapel Hill, NC
Ten Thousand Villages (Retail branch)
1800 E. Franklin Street #9, Chapel Hill, NC
Also visit Ten Thousand Villages Raleigh, right
around the corner in Cameron Village! 435 Woodburn
Road, Raleigh, NC
custom embroidery &
designs available
eco + fair trade accessories
from Cambodia
Become an FTF Member
Is your organization fully committed to fair trade?
Apply to be an FTF member! Join the trade organization for fully committed North American fair trade
organizations and become part of a community of 250 members working to support farmers and artisans through
the practice of fair trade.
FTF member benefits include:
• A discounted rate for attending the FTF Annual Conference
• Inclusion in a collaborative community of businesses & organizations that share best practices and industry
expertise
• Promotion through regular publications, communications, and social media
• The use of the FTF logo, a trusted mark of dedication to fair trade practices
• Advertising opportunities with FTF
• Discounts on shipping, printing, trade shows and other services; and more!
Visit www.fairtradefederation.org/join, contact Madeline Kreider Carlson at [email protected], or
call (302) 655-5024 for more information.
Thanks!
The Fair Trade Federation would like to extend a special thank you to the following individuals and organizations
for their assistance with the 2013 Conference:
• The 2013 Conference Planning Committee: Shari Keller (Mehera Shaw), Kristine Ashwood (Ten Thousand
Villages Raleigh), Chris Larsen (Phd Productions), Carrie Hawthorne (Carrot Consulting), and Elizabeth
Altman.
• five ACCESSORIES for donating our custom-embroidered gift bags.
• Equal Exchange and Guayaki Sustainable Rainforest Products for donating refreshments.
• FTF Staff: Renee Bowers, Suzanne Cotter, Madeline Kreider Carlson, and Laura Layton.
• The FTF Board: Paul Culler, Carrie Hawthorne, Kristin Johnson, Jennie Misner, Serena Sato, Michael
Skillicorn, Brian Smucker, Jacque St. James-Wong, and Tom Yesberger. Welcome to our incoming board
members, Teresa Hendricks and Renice Jones.
• The staff of the Doubletree Raleigh Brownstone-University hotel, especially Heather Bradley.
Notes
Retailers: Did you see our Fair & Gourmet Wholesale Product
Guide?
The "Fair & Gourmet" guide features fair trade items sold by over 40 fully committed
wholesalers that retail businesses can trust. These organizations work directly with
craftspeople and farmers to ensure fair wages, skills training, and long-term, mutually
beneficial partnerships.
Inside the guide are products like coffee, tea, foods & beverages, dinnerware, cooking
tools, and more.
Read it at www.fairtradefederation.org/fairandgourmet
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
Swahili Imports
Ten Thousand Villages
Mata Traders
Equal Exchange
Venture Imports
www.FairTradeFederation.org100 W 10th Street, Suite 1105, Wilmington, DE 19801
[email protected] (302) 655-5023 Facebook.com/FTFederation @FTFederation