Aug 7, 2024

Michigan’s apple industry hosts grower social media summit 

Michigan Apple recently hosted its “Handpicked” social media summit.

The July 30 event in Sparta, Michigan, was the second yearly social media training conference sponsored by the Michigan Apple Committee.

The summit brought together seven leaders in the Michigan apple industry to learn the latest trends and best practices across social media channels and platforms, enabling them to create compelling grower-generated content showcasing their unique stories.

Ultimately these individuals will use this knowledge and expertise to promote their own businesses as well as the Michigan Apple industry, as online ambassadors, according to a news release.

“The Handpicked Social Media Summit has been in our plans for a while and we were finally able to begin implementing it last year,” Diane Smith, the committee’s executive director, said in the release. “Our target consumer is interested in knowing the faces behind the foods they eat. Growers as brand ambassadors provide consumers a behind-the-scenes look at orchards, production and Michigan apple growing families. We are thrilled at how our vision has become a reality over the last two years.”

Participants engaged in expert-led sessions where they learned to use social media to promote their apples, build brand awareness, and engage with customers in new and exciting ways.

Tips on photography and videography, and best practices for posting were shared with the group.

The seven “Handpicked” Michigan Apple industry representatives at the 2nd Annual Handpicked Social Media Summit were Denny Alt, Megan Barlow, Laura Herrygers, Theresa Kober, Mike Wells, Robyn Schultz, and Emily Kropf.

Based in Lansing, Michigan, the Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world.