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• THE AMERICAN SHEA BUTTER INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES THE 11TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SHEA BUTTER CONVENTION
• "Advancing Shea Commerce and Technology"

The American Shea Butter Institute announces their 11th Annual International Shea Butter Convention (ISBC) to be held at the Atlanta Airport Westin Hotel located in Atlanta, Georgia from October 24th - 26th, 2013.

This three day-long event is the largest conference and exposition of its kind in the country, solely dedicated to shea butter and its related products. The theme of this year’s event is; “Creating International Business and Educational Opportunities for Grassroots Women in the Sub Sahara African Shea Belt.”

The ISBC provides excellent networking opportunities for participants to network directly with shea consumers, shea product manufacturers, shea product formulators, shea product distributors, shea nut processors, shea butter buyers & sellers, wholesalers, retailers, shea butter research scientists, educators, students, importers, exporters, US Custom brokers as well as other leaders of the shea butter industry. There will be Shea producers from over ten Shea Belt countries, including Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad. For the first time Neem Oil, a sister commodity for the Shea sector, will be covered by international experts.

Attendees will have the opportunity to train under seasoned experts to acquire a number of Shea professional credentials in areas such as shea production, grade analysis (A,B,C,D,F), quality management (QA/QC), post extraction issues, custom product formulation, market penetration and business development. A section devoted exclusively to discussing African shea business opportunities will also be available. The Convention will also include the 2013 ISBC Shea Product Competition and Awards, and exhibitors offering a variety of shea products, and entertainment.

Participants will also be able to witness the authentic and advanced African technology of the shea butter making process, demonstrated by representatives of a women owned shea butter co-op, located in the heart of the Shea belt. Traditionally, this is a process that exclusively occurs in Africa, but will be demonstrated live at the 2013 ISBC.

The 11th Annual ISBC is also offering a variety of sponsorship opportunities suitable for organizations of all sizes. Sponsors of the ISBC gain visibility for their companies and contribute to the success of the conference. All sponsors are promoted prior to and at the event as well as in the convention and conference materials, dependent upon the level of sponsorship agreed upon. Details on sponsoring and vending at the conference can be found at www.isbc2013.com/sponsors/ . Those interested in attending can register by visitingwww.isbc2013.com

A limited amount of media and blogger passes are available and can be obtained by visitingwww.isbc2013.com/press-center/. There are also partial student scholarships available towards global registration costs.

Inquiries can be directed to the American Shea Butter Institute’s Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/sheainstitute or by e-mailing convention@sheainstitute.com

About The American Shea Butter Institute
The American Shea Butter Institute (ASBI) provides consumer and industry education on Shea Butter; establishes voluntary standards on the quality of Shea Butter entering the USA and promotes the benefits of Shea Butter in various US industries. ASBI’s full range of services are designed to stimulate the International shea butter value chain, drive discoveries that raise the awareness of Shea Butter as a commodity and enrich multilateral trading opportunities. More information can be found at www.sheainstitute.com, by calling (706) 682-4982 or by e-mail at info@sheainstitute.com

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