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TSAP Program Guidelines

The following are the program guidelines for the department’s Trade Show Assistance Program.  If you have any questions, contact the marketing officer at (406) 444-2402 or by e-mail at agr@mt.gov.

Application Procedures

  1. Company sends in application via email, fax or mail.
  2. Montana Department of Agriculture reviews applications and notifies Company of status.
  3. If awarded, Company will sign and return TSAP contracts. Company will also receive the Post-Trade Show Attendance Survey and Budget Actual Costs, which must be returned after exhibiting at the show. The TSAP award will be remitted as a reimbursement after the show.
  4. Company will then attend the wholesale trade show for which they were awarded TSAP funds. If Company does not exhibit at this show, Company notifies the Department, forfeits the TSAP award and must apply again for future trade shows. TSAP awards are non-transferable.
  5. After the show, Company fills out and returns the Post-Trade Show Attendance Survey, Budget Actual Costs and proof of exhibition at the show.
  6. Upon receipt of this information, the Montana Department of Agriculture will remit the agreed-upon reimbursement amount.

Application Criteria

  • Montana agricultural companies are the only eligible applicants. The review panel will determine a company's agricultural status and subsequent eligibility for the program.
  • Each company may receive only one assistance award per State of Montana fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
  • Applications must be postmarked 30 days prior to the trade show's starting date.
  • Trade show assistance awards may be used only for domestic trade shows.
  • Retroactive reimbursement applications for trade shows already exhibited at will not be accepted.
  • Applications for attending a trade show but not exhibiting (i.e. “walking the show”) are not eligible.
  • Applications for livestock auctions and retail/public shows will not be accepted.

Application Reviews

  • A review panel, consisting of Montana Department of Agriculture staff, will review applications, and the Director will have the final decision.
  • Approved applicants will complete and sign a contract with the Montana Department of Agriculture prior to exhibiting at the trade show. The contract includes a requirement that the reimbursement will only be disbursed when the Montana Department of Agriculture receives the Post-Trade Show Attendance Survey, Budget Actual Costs and proof of exhibition at the show.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Agricultural Economic Impact to Montana – Application should demonstrate the applicant's and/or products' agricultural economic impact to Montana. The economic impact can be through increased sales, increased utilization of Montana agricultural inputs, employment retention or addition, or added value.
  • Marketing Strategy – Applicants should offer reasons why the proposed trade show is consistent with their marketing plan and growth strategy.
  • Goals – Applicant's goals should reflect careful consideration and realistic expectations for the trade show and should be specific, measurable and attainable with deadlines for achieving objectives.
  • Budget - The TSAP reimbursement amount will be figured as 50% of the total costs outlined in the Budget provided in the application, not to exceed $1,000.
    • The base award may not exceed $1000.00.
    • A bonus of $50 will be provided to companies who can provide evidence that they attended the year prior to exhibiting for purposes of researching the trade show (i.e. “walking the show”) but did not exhibit. The applicant must provide proof of attendance (i.e. badge, registration form, receipt, etc...).
    • A $100 bonus will be provided to companies who have graduated from a NxLeveL Entrepreneurial Training Seminar. The applicant must enclose certificate or provide information on the course trainer, dates and location. For more information on NxLeveL, visit www.NxLeveL.org.
  • Special Considerations – Special considerations, in the form of bonus points, will be given for the following:
    • Companies that are first-time trade show assistance applicants;
    • Companies exhibiting at trade shows for the first time;
    • Companies who exhibit at a trade show to help them increase their markets; and
    • Companies who are exhibiting at trade shows as an individual booth rather than sharing a booth.

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