On Tuesday Austin and I were relieved to see 4 boxes from Spokane awaiting us in the Expo room, and we got to work setting up our Ganesh table. The room was full, around 45 different wholesalers represented, and, to be honest, I felt a little intimidated by so many beautiful products and well-designed displays. Our table neighbors were so kind, though, and I quickly shook off any insecurities. After set-up, Austin and I snuck in a quick visit to the St. Louis arch and rode the tram to the top for incredible views, an experience we’d recommend for sure! Then the official conference started on Tuesday evening. As Austin said, we walked into a conference room full of unfamiliar (but friendly and smiling!) faces and left on Thursday with so many friends! The next couple of days were full of great panel discussions, informative presentations, and a lot of fun. A definite highlight for me was connecting with our retail customers, getting to put so many faces to names, and learning a little bit more about the amazing impact those local stores are making in communities around the country. I can’t wait to visit ya’ll!

I’m leaving St. Louis with such respect and awe for you, all of the amazing people in our orbit, who are so dedicated to the principles of fair and responsible trade. I made friends who work in countries from Honduras to Romania to India to Haiti, and more friends with US stores from Harper’s Ferry, Louisville, Overland Park, Lexington, and Saugatuck, just to name a few. I love how wildly different each store, community, country, culture, language, and environment is, yet how the fundamental heart of the matter is the same no matter where people are. It’s all about love at the root. Love for people and love for our beautiful planet, and the desire and goal of keeping that love at the center of our business.