F E B R U A R Y
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Watermelon Update
If a crisis situation arises, call 877-599-9595 immediately
Media Kit
Distribution
Begins!
With technology moving away from
disks and CDs, so did our media kit
from the traditional CD-ROMs to now
being 100% online. This will make our
hi-resolution images and information
easily accessible to media, retailers,
and consumers. Over 3,000
announcements will be mailed to
targeted media with a QR code for
instant access to the media kit. This
year there will be continued focus on
versatility and value along with more
focus on health and fitness. Visit
http://watermelon.org/Media/PressKit.aspx to see why watermelon
makes every season sweeter!
Industry Approves Amendment to
Watermelon Research & Promotion Plan
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2014 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today
announced that watermelon producers, handlers, and importers have voted to amend
the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan importer eligibility requirements for
service on the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) conducted the referendum from Jan.13,
2014, through Jan. 27, 2014. Ballots were mailed to all eligible individuals who
produced, handled, or imported watermelons between Jan. 1, 2012, and Dec. 31,
2012, the representative period, and who currently produce, handle, or import
watermelons.
In the referendum, 74 percent of those voting favored amending the plan. The
amendment would allow persons who both import and handle watermelons to choose
whether they would like to seek representation on the board as an importer or a
handler.
The Watermelon Research and Promotion Act requires that a referendum be
conducted before changes to the plan go into effect and that the amendment be
approved by a majority of producers, handlers, and importers of watermelons voting in
the referendum.
WATERMELON UPDATE
FEBRUARY UPDATE 2014
2014 Watermelon Convention Schedule
*subject to change
NATIONAL WATERMELON ASSOCIATION, INC. 100th Birthday and Convention
The Savannah Marriott Riverfront Resort & Spa Savannah, Georgia
Wednesday-Sunday, February 19-23, 2014
http://www.nationalwatermelonassociation.com
Contact the NWA for information at nwa2014@nwawatermelon.com
Alabama Watermelon Association
February 14-15, 2014 Beau Rivage Casino Resort Biloxi, Mississippi
http://www.alwatermelon.org/#!convention/c66t
Contact Marti Smith for information at marti_s_63@hotmail.com
Illiana (Illinois-Indiana) Watermelon Association
March 7-8, 2014 French Lick Springs Hotel & Casino French Lick, Indiana
http://www.illianawatermelon.org/index-4.html
Contact Jill Frey for information at illianawatermelon@gmail.com
North Carolina Watermelon Association
March 14-15, 2014 Holiday Inn Sunspree Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Contact Cathy Price for information at cathyprice@bellsouth.net
NWPB ATTENDS YOUR STATE & REGIONAL
WATERMELON CONVENTIONS!
NWPB Executive Director Mark Arney (left) and Western field rep Kenton Kidd
(right) are shown presenting at the Western Watermelon Association meeting
held on January 18.
Other NWPB staff attended the Florida Watermelon Association Convention in
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Tampa, FL on January 17 and 18 where one of the evening’s themes was
“Gasparilla.” Aaaargh!
Industry Affairs Associate Jason Hanselman attended the South Carolina
Watermelon Association convention that same weekend in Columbia, South
Carolina.
Director of PR & Social Media Stephanie Barlow attended the Georgia
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Watermelon Convention on January 24 & 25 in St Simons Island, Georgia.
Marketing Communications Manager Juliemar Rosado bid farewell and well
wishes to the newly retired queen promotions coordinator Dawn Collins at the
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Mar-Del convention in Cambridge, Maryland on January 31 & February 1 .
Want to receive your
update quicker?
NWPB Meeting Announcements
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Oglethorpe A-B, Marriott Riverfront
Savannah, Georgia
1:00pm – 1:30pm Importer Nomination Meeting
2:00pm – 4:30pm NWPB Board Meeting
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Please contact our office with your
email address to receive this update
electronically! You can also email us
at jrosado@watermelon.org
WATERMELON UPDATE
FEBRUARY UPDATE 2014
Take a look at our latest release with Family Features!
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