Fall State Member Meeting brings the Homegrown & Succeeding Abroad mission to life
Chicago, IL (October 15, 2026) - Helping American food and agricultural businesses succeed internationally takes more than programs and resources. It takes people, partnerships, and a shared commitment to opening doors to global opportunities.
That spirit was at the heart of Food Export USA’s 2026 Fall State Member Meeting, held October 7–8 in Chicago. Guided by its Homegrown & Succeeding Abroad theme, the gathering brought together state agriculture leaders, federal partners, U.S. suppliers, and international market experts to strengthen relationships, share perspectives, and explore new opportunities for American exporters. From the presentations and discussions to the meeting's branding and personal touches, the theme reinforced a shared purpose: helping businesses build on their success at home to grow in markets around the world.
"At its heart, Food Export is about people helping small- to mid-sized businesses succeed," said Brendan Wilson, CEO of Food Export. "When we bring together the expertise of our state and federal partners, our staff and the businesses we serve, we create opportunities that no one organization could accomplish alone."
The meeting opened with Wilson's reflections on Food Export's mission and future, followed by remarks from Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski and a presentation by USDA Foreign Agricultural Service International Trade Specialist Ammara Bokhari. Her presentation, Growing America's Export Future, emphasized the importance of agricultural exports to American businesses and communities, and the critical role of partnerships in developing the next generation of U.S. exporters.
A Growth & Outreach panel moderated by Chief Growth Officer Trish James explored how Food Export is strengthening supplier recruitment, export readiness, and marketing efforts to reach more businesses with international potential. The International Marketing Program (IMP) and Branded Program teams highlighted innovations in export education, targeted buyer engagement, importer relationships, and personalized participant support, all designed to make the exporter journey more accessible and effective.
State members and Food Export staff also came together for collaborative discussions focused on shared trade priorities, opportunities for multi-state coordination and new approaches to strengthening outreach and engagement with businesses in their home states. These conversations helped identify opportunities to work more closely together in 2027 and beyond.
One of the meeting's highlights was a new Supplier Perspectives Panel featuring Dr. Sonat Birnecker Hart of Chicago-based KOVAL Distillery, Nicole Gordon of NIKIGO Sauce LLC, and Tom Morse of Zolli Candy. Moderated by Food Export's Liaison Coordinator Edwin Olivieri, the discussion brought together three distinct export journeys, illustrating how companies at different stages of growth can benefit from international market development, buyer connections, and ongoing support.
"Every supplier has a different starting point, different challenges, and different ambitions," said Wilson. "Our responsibility is to listen, understand what they need, and connect them with the people and opportunities that can move their business forward. That's what Homegrown & Succeeding Abroad is all about."
The second day brought a more global perspective, with Senior Advisor for Market Intelligence Dennis Lynch examining trade policy developments, economic conditions and emerging export opportunities. An In-Market Representative discussion, moderated by IMP Manager Ben Cortese, offered firsthand insights into international buyer relationships, market trends and opportunities for U.S. suppliers.
The meeting concluded with Chief Operating Officer Michelle Rogowski sharing how Food Export is preparing for its next chapter, with a focus on strengthening the organization and creating a more connected, streamlined experience for exporters and state partners.
From the opening remarks to the final conversations, Homegrown & Succeeding Abroad served as a reminder that Food Export's greatest strength lies in the people, partnerships, and shared purpose that help American businesses turn local success into global opportunity.
About Food Export USA
Driven by a mission to help U.S. food and agricultural companies compete and succeed globally, Food Export Association of the Midwest USA (Food Export–Midwest) and Food Export USA–Northeast (Food Export–Northeast) are nonprofit organizations that support U.S. exporters in starting and expanding international sales. In partnership with the agricultural promotion agencies of 23 member states, Food Export delivers exporter education, market entry support, and targeted promotion to connect U.S. suppliers with qualified international buyers and grow demand for U.S.-grown and U.S.-made food, agricultural, and seafood products. The organizations are funded through the Market Access Program, administered by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
To partner with us or learn more, visit foodexport.org or email [email protected].
Contact:
Trish James
Chief Growth Officer
[email protected]
215-599-9743