For those on you in the Texas area, be sure to put the annual Fair Trade Federation conference on your calendars. This year it is in Austin on April 4-6.

FTF members and friends are invited to join us for vital conversations about the strategic future of FTF, great networking opportunities, and skill building workshops at the 2008 Conference. You can register here.

Members are invited to an all day strategic planning session on Friday, April 4. I'm looking forward to seeing friends from across the country again, like Jackie DeCarlo, the Fair Trade whirlwind from CRS (Catholic Relief Services). She's pictured here with her sticker-adorned laptop (we're honored to have our RESPECT sticker placed between Ani DiFranco and Peace Coffee).

On Saturday and Sunday, April 5-6, members and non-members are invited to attend special seminars and trainings on:

• branding
• financing
• marketing
• and other key areas

There will also be a Fair Trade Expo open to the public where you can see the latest Fair Trade products. Hope to see you there!