Mar14

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Fair Trade LA

Conference to Unite and Promote Fair Trade Businesses

Annual Fair Trade Conference to be held May 1-3 in Raleigh, NC

Wilmington, DE (March 8, 2013) – From May 1-3, 2013, the Fair Trade Federation will welcome entrepreneurs, students, advocates, faith community members, and interested individuals to their annual conference on the business of Fair Trade.

The conference, held at the Doubletree Raleigh Brownstown-University Hotel in Raleigh, NC, provides a forum where Fair Trade-minded individuals can learn how to advance the business of Fair Trade in North America. Attendees will participate in workshops, discussions, and social activities as well as the Fair Trade Expo, a marketplace of wholesale product vendors. Entrepreneurs from across the world will come together to learn about and debate Fair Trade’s holistic approach to business and sustainable, positive change.

This year, the Fair Trade Expo will include over 35 wholesale exhibitors showcasing a wide range of fair trade products from food to soaps to handcrafted clothing, accessories and home decor. The Expo will provide an opportunity for retail buyers to make purchases and learn about the work of Fair Trade Federation members. The Expo will take place on Wednesday evening, May 1 from 5:15 – 6:45 pm as well as an extended session on Thursday morning, from 8 – 10 am. Local retailers are welcome to attend.

“We’re especially excited to host the conference in Raleigh this year,” says Renee Bowers, Executive Director of the Fair Trade Federation. “There’s a vibrant community of fair trade businesses in North Carolina, including Mehera Shaw and the Ten Thousand Villages store in Chapel Hill, Unique Batik and Larry’s Beans in Raleigh, Kamibashi and Peace by Piece in Asheville, and PHD Productions in Hillsborough.”

The 2013 conference is made possible through the generous contributions of many sponsors and supporters, including gold sponsors Fair Trade Winds, Baksheesh, Earth Divas, SERRV, Dr. Bronner’s, and Global Crafts as well as silver sponsors Swahili Imports, Venture Imports, Mata Traders, Equal Exchange, and Ten Thousand Villages.

*Special student pricing* | *Complimentary tickets for media with press credentials*
Learn more about the Fair Trade Federation conference | Register for the conference
Contact: Renee Bowers, Executive Director, Fair Trade Federation, info@fairtradefederation.org

About the Fair Trade Federation

The Fair Trade Federation (FTF) strengthens and promotes North American organizations fully committed to Fair Trade. The Federation is part of the global Fair Trade movement, building equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creating opportunities to alleviate poverty. Since the late 1970s, the Federation has convened conferences in North America to provide practical workshops on the business of Fair Trade and to build up the fair trade business community.

Mar11

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Fair Trade LA

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On March 09, 2003, Tony Hall, member of FTLA and current Regional Representative of the World Fair Trade Organization for the Asia Pacific (US, Canada, Japan) region, hosted an FTLA membership meeting with Jeff Goldman, Executive Director of Fair Trade Resource Network. Among issues discussed were: the current state of the Fair Trade movement in North America; variant strategic focuses of Fair Trade groups; possible government definition of Fair Trade and participation in the movement; and a possible third party coordination of activities of Fair Trade advocates.

Mar3

Fair Trade Colleges and Universities Leadership Training

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Fair Trade LA

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Royce Hall at UCLA, Thursday, February 28, 2013

Directed by Parker Townley, the National Organizer for Fair Trade Colleges and Universities at Fair Trade USA

Attending: 25 students committed to Fair Trade from UCLA, Fuller Theological Seminary, Loyola Marymount University, California Lutheran University and 4 representatives of Fair Trade LA.

Diana Percival and Joan Harper of Fair Trade LA assisted in the training.

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Feb28

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Fair Trade LA

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February 26, 2013, Public meeting pursuing the initiative to found a Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Store in the South Bay (Los Angeles). Over 50 local residents and interested parties attended. The meeting was chaired by Tom Hoffarth, member of the South Bay 10KV Steering Committee. Doug Dirks, CEO Ten Thousand Villages, gave the principal address. Also in attendance was Joan Harper, Exec. Director of Fair Trade LA; and Tony Hall, Regional Representative of the World Fair Trade Organization for the Asia Pacific (US, Canada, Japan) region; as well as additional members of the Steering Committee and Fair Trade Los Angeles.