National Conference: Registration & Program Highlights

Courtney Lang August 2, 2011
Fair Trade Towns & Universities National Conference
Friday – Sunday, September 9 – 11, 2011
The Hub Conference Center, Philadelphia, PA

With the first ever Fair Trade Towns & Universities National Conference less than six weeks away, we are eager to let registrants know what they can expect to take home. The groundbreaking three-day event takes place in Philadelphia September 9-11, to equip steadfast campaign leaders and members, as well as those interested in leading campaigns, with a slew of resources, connections and energy to continue mobilizing the Fair Trade Movement in communities and campuses around the country. We have a limited number of vacancies left, and if you haven’t registered yet, now is the time!

What to Anticipate
The conference will kick off Friday evening with a symposium of 10 short, powerful speeches from an array of Fair Trade actors. Saturday & Sunday bring together Fair Trade USA and Fair Trade Federation business partners and staff, seasoned campaigners, representatives from organizations in the movement like Fair Trade Resource Network and Catholic Relief Services, as well as producers, to offer panel discussions, non-traditional break-out sessions and interactive workshops.  Here are some of the featured topics and creative formats that lie ahead:

  • Fair Trade Towns & Universities 101 – The basics on campaigns & criteria
  • Social Media Workshops – Walk away with a facebook and Fair Trade Towns web page
  • Fair Trade Systems & Products – Learn how Fair Trade works and what’s available
  • Speed Dating with Fair Trade Companies & Organizations – Uncover the wealth of resources available
  • Speaking Fair Trade Truth to Power – Enrolling decision makers in Fair Trade and your campaign
  • Impact of Fair Trade – Stories from the source
  • Fair Trade Town & University Round-table Discussions – I’m Declared, what next?

We hope that you join us for an exciting Fair Trade weekend, here’s how!

Registration
Made possible by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, registration is FREE and includes dinner Friday night as well as breakfast and lunch Saturday and Sunday.  Register here!

Reserve a Discounted Hotel Room
We have discounted rooms on block at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.  Reserve a room online here or call 1-800-228-9290 and reference the Fair Trade Towns & Universities Conference.  Rooms are available at the discounted rate of $109.00/night (this does not include tax), and a maximum of 4 people can occupy a room.  As you consider your stipend please keep costs low and coordinate room shares.

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Courtney Lang, National Organizer | Fair Trade Campaigns

Courtney Lang brings over 5 years of community organizing to Fair Trade Towns USA, building both the Local Food and Fair Trade networks in Vermont. As Local Food Coordinator with City Market/Onion River Cooperative, Courtney worked with local producers, institutions and consumers to grow the local food system and organize a strategic model for community engagement through farm tours, workshops, and local food challenges. Like many in the Fair Trade industry, Courtney was inspired to take action in Fair Trade when she witnessed child-labor first hand in Costa Rica. As a founding member of Fair Trade Burlington, she has worked with economic development organizations, businesses, and consumers to build awareness of Fair Trade among Vermonters. She also worked with a Fair Trade USA licensee, Vermont Coffee Company, as Friend Ambassador where she united the story of Fair Trade to every purchase of coffee.