2017 HNE Conference Assessment Question Title * 1. What are the top three reasons you attended the 2015 HNE Conference? Please number 1, 2, 3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Networking 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Keynote speaker 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Trade Show 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Market Managers Workshop 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Variety of Topics 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Only regional marketing conference available 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Number of breakout and general sessions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Tours 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Other Question Title * 2. Overall, how well did the HNE Conference meet your expectation(s)? (Circle one) Extremely Well (Really Great Conference) Very Well (Great Conference) Moderately Well (Good Conference) Somewhat (OK, Room for Improvement) Not at All (I Won't Come Again) Extremely Well (Really Great Conference) Very Well (Great Conference) Moderately Well (Good Conference) Somewhat (OK, Room for Improvement) Not at All (I Won't Come Again) Question Title * 3. How much did your knowledge of marketing and marketing techniques improve? (Circle one) A Ton Quite a Bit Some A Little Not Really at All A Ton Quite a Bit Some A Little Not Really at All Question Title * 4. What makes a session the most beneficial to you? (Can check more than one) Hearing from the farmers Hearing from the professionals Seeing a powerpoint Having handouts to take home Interacting with other attendees to role model Being able to do a practice, hands on type of exercise Question Title * 5. What are the top three biggest challenges you face in our business? Finding labor to do marketing Finding labor in general Sourcing grants and loans Lack of state agency resources Establishing a business/marketing plan to work from and guide us Attracting customers Time management within various aspects of the business (growing vs. marketing vs. managing finances/labor etc.) Dealing with and the expense of regulations Maintaining our social media Access to professionals and service providers that can assist us (at a reasonable cost) Question Title * 6. Have you attended past HNE Conferences? Yes No Question Title * 7. If Yes: Do you feel there has been an increase in sales as a result of knowledge gained from attending past HNE Conferences? Yes No Question Title * 8. Which pre-conference tour did you attend? Direct Marketing at its Best! N/A Didn't know there was a tour option! Question Title * 9. If yes, did the tour meet your expectations? Yes No Question Title * 10. Feedback on the tour is welcomed Question Title * 11. Are you a specialty crop producer? (Specialty crops are defined by the USDA as "fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Christmas trees, honey, maple syrup and value added products from specialty crops are also included.) Yes No Both Question Title * 12. What's the size of your operation? Less than 5 acres 6-10 acres 11-20 acres 21-100 acres Over 100 acres Over 200 acres Question Title * 13. Do you fit the USDA's definition of a "socially disadvantaged farmer"? USDA defines a socially disadvantaged farmer as a group whose members have been subject to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. Yes No Question Title * 14. Have you been farming for less than 10 years? Yes No Question Title * 15. What state are you from? CT MA ME NH RI VT Other (please specify) Question Title * 16. How did you hear about the HNE Conference? (check all that apply) Email from HNE Email from my State Dept of Ag Email from another organization Picked up a brochure at a meeting Facebook Word of Mouth Past Attendee Other (please specify) Question Title * 17. Trade Show: Please circle the number below that best describes your experience. Extremely Well Very Well Moderately Somewhat Not at all Extremely Well Very Well Moderately Somewhat Not at all Question Title * 18. How well did the Trade Show meet your expectations? Extremely Well Very Well Moderately Somewhat Not at All Extremely Well Very Well Moderately Somewhat Not at All Question Title * 19. How was the selection and type of vendors? Extremely Well Very Well Moderately Somewhat Not at All Extremely Well Very Well Moderately Somewhat Not at All Question Title * 20. Was there enough time to visit the trade show? Extremely Well Very Well Moderately Somewhat Not at All Extremely Well Very Well Moderately Somewhat Not at All Question Title * 21. What was the most valuable for you throughout the HNE Conference? Question Title * 22. What was the least helpful throughout the HNE Conference? Question Title * 23. General comments, good, bad, or ugly are welcomed! Question Title * 24. Suggestions for future year’s themes, speakers, workshops? Done