Conference Scholarships
All scholarships have been awarded for 2025. If you applied – please check for an email from [email protected].
Join us as a Conference Volunteer
Support VABF & receive great discounts!
VABF will consider and accept work-trade volunteers on a rolling basis until December 15th, 2024.
To join us as a work-trade volunteer:
1. Fill out the Application for Volunteer Work-Trade.
2. Check your email for the acceptance letter from [email protected]. If you are accepted as volunteer you will be provided the appropriate discount code for your selected work-trade option. You will also be sent a link to pick your work-trade shifts.
3. Use the discount code to register on our Registration Page.
4. Book your lodging and plan your travel! Rates go up once the room block is filled. Visit our Lodging & Travel page for more information.
5. Stay tuned for e-mails with updates prior to the Conference.
New for 2025: All volunteers (Conference & Pre-Conference) will be required to participate as Room Host for all sessions they are joining. Room Host duties do not contribute towards the Work-Trade shifts.
Room Host duties include checking registration badges at the session door prior to the session beginning, giving the speaker a notice of time 10 minutes prior to the end of the session, and, most importantly, being the point of contact for the Speaker if any technical difficulties or questions arise (you will be responsible for communicating any issues to the Volunteer Coordination immediately for resolution).
All volunteers will be able to pick their Work-Trade shifts. Shifts will be available for sign up after your application is accepted. Work-trade shifts are typically 2-3 hour periods at a time. Work-trade tasks may include but are not limited to: checking name badges at meal times, helping at the registration/info desk, assisting tradeshow exhibitors, helping with the Silent Auction and Taste of Virginia Expo, assisting with VABF merch sales, and assisting in establishing a headcount of session participants.
You may apply for Conference or Pre-Conference Work-Trade ~ or for both!
Fill out the Volunteer Work-Trade Application here.
Volunteer Work-Trade Options & Information
· Conference Work-Trade Volunteer
·· 6 hours of work-trade during the Conference = 50% discount on Conference Registration
·· 12 hours of work-trade during the Conference = 95% discount on Conference Registration
Conference Registration includes Saturday, January 11th & Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and appetizers on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
Available shifts for conference work-trade include registration/info table, monitoring the silent auction, assisting exhibitors setting up, assisting Taste of VA vendors, checking breakfast and lunch badges, assisting with VABF merch sales, inventory and stocking, aiding in communication amongst staff and speakers, and other forms of assistance to Conference & VABF staff.
· Single-Day Conference Work-Trade Volunteer
·· 3 hours of work-trade during the same day as your registration = 50% off in exchange for either Saturday only or Sunday only
Work-trade hours must be completed on the same day as your registration. ie. If you are joining us for “Saturday only” you must complete the 3 hours of work-trade on Saturday.
· Pre-Conference Work-Trade Volunteer
60% discount to the Pre-Conference Workshop of your choice on Friday, January 10th in exchange for
·· 2 hours of work-trade during the Pre-Conference = 60% off of a half-day workshop
·· 4 hours of work-trade during the Pre-Conference = 60% off of a full day workshop
Pre-Conference Registration only covers the Pre-Conference Workshop of your choice on Friday, January 11th and does not provide admittance to the Conference on Saturday & Sunday.
Pre-Conference Volunteers must purchase their own Friday lunch buffet ticket during registration if they would like to partake in the ticketed buffet lunch on-site.
Available shifts for pre-conference work-trade include registration/info table, assisting exhibitors setting up, merch table sales, stocking and inventory, and movie presentation assistance.
Important Notes:
·· Volunteers are responsible for their own travel and lodging. Visit our travel & lodging page for information on room block rates in the Hotel Roanoke and in other hotels nearby.
·· Work-Trade Volunteer Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until December 15th, 2024.
All applicants will be contacted via email no later than 2 weeks after their application is submitted.
·· Discount codes will apply to the conference registration rate available when you purchase your registration (Early Bird Oct 21 – Nov 25 / Regular Nov 26 – Dec 31 / Late Jan 1 – Jan 9).
·· Work-trade discount codes cannot be applied to Ag Student or Farm Intern rate.
·· Please do not share discount codes. The discount code that will be provided to you on acceptance is only for individuals who have filled out this form and been accepted for work-trade. Anyone who uses the discount code without going through the process of application and approval will be barred from the conference.
Questions?
Contact Eryn with questions about volunteering/work-trade via email at [email protected]
Join us as a Conference Volunteer!
Fill out the Application here.
