FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 3, 2007
For more information contact:

Ted Craig
Value-Added Program Manager
Wyoming Business Council
Phone: 307.777.6578

Tom Lacock
Senior Marketing and Public Relations Specialist
Wyoming Business Council
Phone: 307.777.2834

Wyoming First offers help for Wyoming firms and shoppers alike

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming First Program assists Wyoming companies with identification and promotion of their Wyoming made or substantially enhanced products and services.
Wyoming companies interested in expanding their markets both in the Cowboy State and outside Wyoming can apply for a two-year membership to the Wyoming First Program, which costs $35. Benefits of becoming a member of the Wyoming First program include:

- Use of Wyoming First “Bucking Horse and Rider” stickers and hang tags
- Notification of marketing opportunities such as trade shows in and out of the
United States
- Individual Web page on www.wyomingfirst.org
- Eligibility for Trade Show Incentive Grants
- Use of Wyoming First posters
- Listing in the Wyoming Made Products Catalog

Wyoming First members also have the opportunity to have their products featured at trade shows with the Wyoming Business Council at events like the Governor’s Hospitality and Tourism Conference, WestEx and the International Sportsman’s Expo. In addition, members’ products can be sold at Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Wyoming State Fair Wyoming Products Pavilion. Through an agreement with the Secretary of State, the Wyoming Business Council is able to offer Wyoming First members use of the “Bucking Horse and Rider” trademark on stickers and hanging tags. Members can choose from five different designs.

John Aurzada, a three-year member of Wyoming First, sells fishing lures under the brand name, “The Fish Catcher.” He said he has been pleased with the exposure Wyoming First has allowed his firm. Aurzada pointed to a newspaper story about Colorado fishermen enjoying success using his lures, which were purchased at the International Sportsman’s Expo – a show he attends with the Wyoming Business Council.

As happy as he has been with the trade show opportunities, Aurzada says it is the Wyoming products catalog that has really come through for him.

“I’ve picked up three stores through the catalog and I have gotten some smaller orders too just because of the products catalog. It has been beneficial for me,” Aurzada said.
Wyoming companies wanting to become a member of the Wyoming First program and take advantage of many benefits of the program can contact Wyoming First Program Manager Ted Craig at 307.777.6578 or ted.craig@wybusiness.org or Terri Barr, Wyoming First Program Coordinator at 307.777.2807 or terri.barr@wybusiness.org.

Shoppers looking for holiday gift ideas with a Wyoming flavor can check out www.wyomingfirst.org to search the products and services of over 250 members.

The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.wyomingbusiness.org.

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