US – The Potato Expo 2024, where the potato community gathers to reconnect, collaborate, and join in moving the industry forward has officially commenced, live in Austin, Texas.
Scheduled for January 10 – 11 at the Austin Convention Center, the Potato Expo is set to be the largest conference and trade show for the potato industry bringing growers, suppliers and industry experts together to connect, grow and share ideas.
The expo is organized and sponsored by the National Potato Council, the advocate for the economic well-being of U.S. potato growers on federal legislative, regulatory, environmental, and trade issues.
The Expo Hall which was sold out in record time forced the event organizers to add new booths in the extended Expo Hall featuring a record-breaking 100,000 sq. feet of exhibition and programming space.
“Whether you have exhibited at Potato Expo every year, or if you’re considering attending for the first time in January, you’ll realize that your business strategy benefits from connecting in-person with top potato professionals from across the globe,” highlights the event website.
Last year Potato Expo 2023 hosted at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado between Jan. 4-5 was deemed successful with more than 1,800 U.S. potato growers and industry members from a dozen countries turning out for the event.
Celebrating its 15th year, Potato Expo 2023 broke previous attendance records for an event hosted outside of Las Vegas, with 1,816 registered attendees and 175 exhibitors covering more than 90,000 square feet in the Aurora Exhibit Hall.
“The tremendous support of our attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors at this year’s event is evidence that Potato Expo is back to its pre-pandemic status as the premier gathering for the North American potato industry,” said Jared Balcom, current NPC President and potato grower from Pasco, Wash.
Potato Expo serves as a forum to foster collaboration between national and state potato associations, as well as the rest of the industry. Maintaining its reputation as a place to help better position the industry for the future, the Potato Expo 2023 addressed many current topics from weather trends to sustainability to new export opportunities.
The event also highlighted the importance of the Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF), a 501(c)3 organization that provides tools, training, and support necessary to help growers and industry members develop as leaders.
During the Kick-off Reception, live and silent auctions were held which raised nearly USD 60,000 for the Foundation. More information about Potato LEAF can be found at pleaf.org.
The 2024 edition is set to tackle issues facing the potato industry, a burgeoning market estimated at USD 115.74 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 137.46 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
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