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Background

What is the Baltimore Project (BP)?

Who is involved? Led by Pear Bureau NW 9 additional coalition members Contractors (SIAM, The Hale Group, &

Euromonitor)

Baltimore Project 3rd Party EvaluationsUSADEC PRESENTATION ON BALTIMORE GROUP 3RD PARTY EVALUATIONS

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To maximize cost effective use of staff & funding (FAS & Industry) resources by collaborating in specific target markets where members share common target audiences and common constraints/opportunities

Developing a collective strategic plan for the BP coalition

Conducting collaborative research, training, & promotional activities to address common constraints/opportunities in common target markets

Conducting 3rd Party program evaluations in specific target markets

Purpose of CollaborationUSADEC PRESENTATION ON BALTIMORE GROUP 3RD PARTY EVALUATIONS

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BP Evaluations are unique

Conducted at one point in time for multiple participants

Conducted in two phases by two separate contractors

Phase I: One contractor conducts research Phase II: Different contractor evaluates programs comparing research

findings to UES & CPR’s Minimizes perceived bias

Unique Two-Phased Approach to 3rd Party Evaluations

USADEC PRESENTATION ON BALTIMORE GROUP 3RD PARTY EVALUATIONS

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Cost Sharing

Cost Effectiveness

Minimizes Perception of Bias (by Program Detractors)

Venue for Discussing Collaborative Activities & Sharing Information

Value & Benefits to BP Members & their StakeholdersUSADEC PRESENTATION ON BALTIMORE GROUP 3RD PARTY EVALUATIONS

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Cost of research and evaluation is paid via GBI MAP funds Members can preserve their base funding for promotions; not use it for

evaluations

20 evaluations done in three markets for approximately $120,000 or $6,000 per evaluation More affordable for smaller organizations with limited resources

Cost SharingUSADEC PRESENTATION ON BALTIMORE GROUP 3RD PARTY EVALUATIONS

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Research is done by one contractor at one time for multiple groups versus each group contracting separately for the same type of research

Target audiences are only interviewed once by one contractor versus multiple times by multiple contractors

FAS benefits from having research & evaluation done for multiple MAP participants

Cost EffectivenessUSADEC PRESENTATION ON BALTIMORE GROUP 3RD PARTY EVALUATIONS

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Researcher (Euromonitor) is not managed by Cooperators

Evaluator (SIAM) conclusions & recommendations on program effectiveness are based on independent researcher’s findings

Minimizes Perception of Bias by Program DetractorsUSADEC PRESENTATION ON BALTIMORE GROUP 3RD PARTY EVALUATIONS

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Completed

Food Shows, multi-product promotions, market research

Under consideration

On-line technical training, food service promotion, trade & buyers missions

Quarterly Meetings for Discussing Activities & Sharing InfoUSADEC PRESENTATION ON BALTIMORE GROUP 3RD PARTY EVALUATIONS