Undersecretary of Agriculture, the Honorable Judith Canales, to Speak at 23rd Annual Tortilla Industry Association Convention

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) announces the US Undersecretary of Agriculture (USDA), the Honorable Judith Canales as keynote speaker for their 23^rd Annual Convention & Trade Exposition taking place September 10-11, 2012 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV.

On April 30, 2012, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of Judith Canales as Acting Deputy Undersecretary for USDA Rural Development.  Most recently, Canales served as Administrator for the Rural Business-Cooperative Service at USDA Rural Development.  Before that, she served as the Executive Director of the Maverick County Development Corporation in Eagle Pass, Texas, and for the past seven years as an adjunct faculty member for Southwest Texas Junior College.  In 1996, Former President Bill Clinton appointed Canales as Deputy State Director for Texas Rural Development.

She also served as the Executive Director of the International Hispanic Network, a national membership organization of Hispanic city managers, which promotes professional excellence among Hispanic executives and public managers in local government.

"The fact we are able to attract a speaker of the caliber of the US Undersecretary of Agriculture Judith Canales is an indication of the growth and importance of our industry within the US economy – the tortilla sales contributed over $11 Billion last year," said TIA's CEO Jim Kabbani

The Annual TIA Convention is recognized as the most important event for tortilla, flatbread, wrap and chip producers, suppliers and everyone involved in the industry to attend. Benefits of attending include: 

• Make key new contacts you need to improve your business and increase sales
• See the latest in equipment, ingredients, packaging and systems all in one place
• Learn about advances in tortilla production technology and supplies
• Find out about the latest in regulations
• Increase your business and personal knowledge through training sessions and exhibits

For more information about TIA and the convention visit http://www.tortilla-info.com. 

Based in Arlington, Virginia, TIA is a not-for-profit organization whose members include tortilla manufacturers, industry suppliers and distributors around the world and companies with interests in the rapidly growing tortilla industry. TIA's function is to assist these companies, both large and small, to grow through effective management and marketing techniques. TIA also addresses management, regulation, quality control and distribution issues and provides members with educational support through technical seminars, conventions and market research.

Contact:

Jim Kabbani, CEO
Tortilla Industry Association
800.944.6099
http://www.tortilla-info.com

SOURCE Tortilla Industry Association