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Exhibitors ‘connect face-to-face’ at the Made in Montana show

When Carolyn Peters of Billings wants to attract attention, she simply reaches up, grabs one of the metal poles holding her trade show booth together and gives it a slight wiggle.

By BETH BRITTON
Tribune Business Editor

Dozens of her company’s wind chimes softly ring in unison, and heads turn.

Peters is one of 113 statewide exhibitors gathered in Great Falls this week for the sixth annual Made in Montana Food & Gift Show. http://www.madeinmontanausa.com/

Sponsored by the Montana Department of Commerce and the Montana Department of Agriculture, the show has a little something for everyone. Featured products include natural Angus beef, blankets, photographs, wine, metal creations, pottery, jewelry and clothing.

Peters and her business partner, Clay Green, have owned and operated Winds of Montana for 15 years. It’s her fourth Made in Montana show.

"I get feedback from people; it’s a hands-on product, and here I can connect face-to-face with customers," Peters said. "Our sound quality is unsurpassed, and that’s what people need to see and hear."

Mako Sakaguchi, who works for the state’s Japan Trade Office, strolled through the show Friday, checking out both new and familiar items.

"I’m looking for some companies that are interested in exporting to Japan," Sakaguchi said. Her job is to promote Montana products in Japan, and she said she attends trade shows as a way to spread the word about the program.

Also spreading the word — about one of the tastiest items on display — is Tom Krustangel, the owner of Whitefish-based Montana Tom’s Chocolate Goodies and Food Products.

One of Krustangel’s products is the huckleberry Pie in a Jar — a sumptuous creation, completely cooked with whole huckleberries and the crust, all neatly packed into a glass jar.

Krustangel also sells chocolate "rocks" that look like they were snatched directly from a Glacier-area streambed.

It’s Krustangel’s fifth year in business, and he has attended the Made in Montana show every year.

"I’m always thrilled to come here simply because here’s 100 people from the state doing wonderful things," he said. "These are homegrown businesses."

Krustangel said his family business makes regular shipments to more than 600 accounts, some as far away as England and San Diego’s Sea World, and the Montana show is just one way for him to share his wares with buyers looking for Montana-made products.

"It’s a wonderful opportunity to show off products," said Made in Montana Program Coordinator Rebecca Baumann of the show. "And it’s a very different kind of show."

Baumann explained that the show has three purposes — education, contact with wholesale buyers and public contact and sales.

On Thursday, vendors participated in marketing classes. Topics included exporting, pricing and growing a business.

More than 450 registered wholesale buyers crowded the center Friday, viewing products and placing orders for their businesses.

Today, the show is open to the public for browsing and shopping. Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Philip Aaberg will sign autographs and visit with fans at the Sweetgrass Music booth from 10 a.m. to noon.

Vendors Richard and Vivian Charlson of Carter own Charliwood, a small business that specializes in beautiful hardwood bowls, redwood signs, Lazy Susans and cutting boards.

It’s the couple’s fourth Made in Montana show, and Richard Charlson said the annual event offers them the opportunity to make contact with stores and get their product in the public eye.

Buyer Ty Hilger of Helena owns Prairie Chic, a small clothing and gift store that’s been open just outside of the capital since November 2002, is attending her first show this year.

"I want to support the Made in Montana industry," Hilger said. Prairie Chic sells everything from bedding and shoes to jewelry and clothing, and Hilger said she hoped to find some one-of-a-kind items.

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/news/stories/20030405/localnews/64872.html

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