The Business of Wholesale and Exporting Craft Webinar Series
3 Sessions, March 13 – 14, facilitated by Bernard Burton and Greg Toole from Craft Alliance Atlantic
Are you currently wholesaling your craft? Are you interested in exporting?
Saskatchewan Craft Council will present a series of business development workshops with a focus on developing a wholesale market for your craft, how to begin exporting and a session on trends and opportunities for makers. The workshops will take place on one weekend in March and will be available to makers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and BC. SCC is partnering with Craft Alliance Atlantic, based in Halifax to present these sessions. The workshops are being sponsored by the Western Diversification Fund and Creative Saskatchewan.
All sessions are 90 minutes each and will be presented on Zoom. Advance registration is required. You can find the session schedule and registration forms for each session below! Registration is free, and you are able to sign up for one or more of the sessions.
This course has been prepared for the Saskatchewan Craft Council and is being made available to MCC members at no cost. The Business of Wholesale and Exporting Craft series is presented by the SCC with funding support from Western Economic Diversification Canada/ Diversification de l’économie de l’Ouest Canada and Creative Saskatchewan.
Ready, Set, Go! Preparing to Wholesale Your Craft
Saturday, March 13, 10 – 11:30 am CST
This session is designed to assist producers of craft, giftware and apparel products in preparing to market their products through wholesale market channels. This session will focus mainly on Pricing for the Wholesale Market and will include information and discussion on product development & producing for wholesale marketing, packaging, selling processes and techniques, along with other important tips to prepare you to enter the wholesale market. Registered participants are asked to submit 1 image of their product(s) and a website address, when registering for this session.
Presented by the Saskatchewan Craft Council. Facilitated by Bernard Burton and Greg Toole from Craft Alliance Atlantic
Supported by: Western Economic Diversification Canada/ Diversification de l’économie de l’Ouest Canada and Creative Saskatchewan
Getting Ready to Export
Saturday, March 13, 1 – 2:30 pm CST
Exporting can take many forms, from a one-time online customer to working with retailers at the wholesale level or shipping your artwork to a gallery exhibition. These are all forms of exporting. This workshop explores all those options, so makers can make informed decisions on whether exporting is for them.
Key export markets will be discussed and how to enter a new export markets for the first time. This session will include practical information on export logistics and processes when dealing with border clearances and the paperwork required.
The session includes the Craft Alliance export diagnostic tools to determine whether your business is ready to export and what is required to become export ready. Topics will include; an export diagnostic, product requirements, tariff codes, shipping logistics, paperwork and the general requirements for ease of doing business in the United States and other countries. At a time when more craft businesses are shipping outside of Canada either directly or through 3rd party e-commerce platforms, they need to know the issues and challenges with cross-border selling. This session will include updated information on the new Canada, USA, Mexico trade agreement (CUSMA) and the recent trade agreement with the European Union (CETA) and the UK. This session will also introduce participants to the CRAFT X – Magnet Business Portal. Craft Alliance has a new partnership with Ryerson University. Craft Alliance is a creating a national networking and information sharing community as part of the Magnet Export portal at Ryerson U., a short demonstration of the portal will take place at the end of this workshop.
Presented by the Saskatchewan Craft Council. Facilitated by Bernard Burton and Greg Toole from Craft Alliance Atlantic
Supported by: Western Economic Diversification Canada/ Diversification de l’économie de l’Ouest Canada and Creative Saskatchewan
Trends & Opportunities in Craft
Sunday, March 14, 10 am – 11:30 pm CST
Are you interested in exploring global markets, trends and opportunities?
Through practical examples, case studies and market reports, this session will focus on market development opportunities, in wholesale production, one-of-a-kind craft, design and art licensing. We will look at trends, product themes, and various ways to approach new markets. Craft Alliance will present examples and best practices, based on previous project activity and how that can relate to Saskatchewan makers. We will look at trade fairs, e-commerce platforms, contemporary art fairs and other trade activity where Sask makers can explore new opportunities. We also look at other niche markets where many craftspeople may find new opportunities outside of the traditional craft or giftware markets. We will also explore the world of Art Licensing – we call it, making money while you sleep!
Presented by the Saskatchewan Craft Council. Facilitated by Bernard Burton and Greg Toole from Craft Alliance Atlantic
Supported by: Western Economic Diversification Canada/ Diversification de l’économie de l’Ouest Canada and Creative Saskatchewan
