Sponsor Focus – Friends of AFVF

A very important part of our sponsor core are contributors that may not give as much in monetary resources as some of the major sponsors, but give as much or more in other ways. Our three “Friends of AFVF” certainly fall into this category. All are very active in critical aspects of putting on a quality event. Below is a brief description of each and why they are truly “Friends of AFVF”.

Husch Blackwell, LLP is a full-service litigation and business law firm with more than 600 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London making it one of the 100 largest law firms in the U.S. based on revenue. The firm represents national and global leaders in major industries that include agribusiness, energy, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, chemicals and telecommunications. Their attorneys are recognized by leading professional and industry organizations for their knowledge and expertise across a broad range of legal services.

Husch Blackwell is headquartered in St. Louis, but its office in Kansas City is nearly as large as the facility in St Louis. The Chicago and Omaha offices represent the next two largest practices each having over 40 employees, making the firm a dominant force in the Midwest market.

Husch Blackwell has a history of sponsoring conferences and workshops in industries and locations where they have a practice. Their Omaha office has a strong practice in the food and agribusiness industries and so the American Food Venture Forum was a natural match for them. They also have a long history in community service. That’s why it was no surprise when they rolled up their sleeves and began networking in the Omaha area to find others who might be interested in sponsoring, presenting at or attending the Forum this October.

Iowa Western Community College is tucked into the beautiful Loess Hills in Council Bluffs and offers a safe, affordable environment for students seeking a quality education. With its peaceful setting, Iowa Western offers picturesque scenery, wandering paths, and a quiet getaway. Yet, with downtown Omaha just 10 minutes from campus, a big city fix is never far from students.

Currently the College offers 84 different vocational/technical programs and Arts and Sciences/Transfer majors. 2009-2010 enrollment was 5,500 students. In addition, there are over 42,795 enrollments in continuing education classes each year. In addition to the campus in Council Bluffs, the college has an eight acre campus in Clarinda, Iowa and academic centers in three other Southwestern Communities.

The College’s Division of Economic and Workforce Development is working closely with the American Food Venture Forum on our youth entrepreneurship initiative. The college will select a number of students from its Entrepreneurship and/or Culinary Arts program to attend the forum. It is also conducting a competition among entrepreneurship students in area high schools that will result in the top five candidates attending the Forum.

Smart Solutions Group is a consulting firm providing economic development services for communities, counties, regions and states throughout the U.S. The firm approaches economic development from a business perspective, integrating basic principles and techniques of organizational accountability, product branding and marketing and product development and innovation to create winning growth strategies. Their comprehensive line of services is designed to address an array of community and economic development needs.

Smart Solutions Group’s major contribution to the AFVF is not monetary. It’s founder and CEO, Bob Henningsen is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the AFVF. He has put in countless hours organizing meetings, finding sponsors, developing policy and directing contract employees. Over the year’s Smart Solutions Group has contributed tens of thousands of dollars in Bob’s donated time.