Demand for Potato Expo 2024 has surpassed previous events with the National Potato Council (NPC) having to expand the trade show to accommodate a record-breaking number of exhibitors, a Nov. 17 news release said.
As of Nov. 17, 206 companies and organizations have registered to exhibit in the 100,000 square foot Expo Hall, the release noted. This breaks the previous record of 194 exhibitors at Potato Expo 2020 in Las Vegas.
The 16th edition of Potato Expo is happening Jan. 10-11 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. The release noted it will tap into all things Texas, with barbeque, music, culture, and a heavy dose of potatoes. Potato Expo is hosted by NPC and is the largest conference and trade show for the potato industry in North America.
The 2024 conference event doubles the number of educational and business-oriented sessions, which will be held on three stages – the Expo Stage, the Cultivation Stage, and the Pavilion Stage in the new NPC Pavilion, which will focus on the industry’s public policy and advocacy efforts, the release said.
Session highlights include:
- Potatoes Gone Viral! Reaching the TikTok Generation — featuring digital, marketing, and strategy expert Steve Lerch talking about the importance of creating digital content and the power of social media and viral videos to keep potatoes top of mind for all consumers. Leech is joined by RJ Harvey, culinary director of Potatoes USA and Jason Morse, national spokesperson for Ace Hardware
- Fueling Performance Across Generations — a presentation showcasing how Potatoes USA is at the forefront of promoting a healthy lifestyle and culinary excellence with the versatile potato
- The Amazing Capabilities of AI for Food Sorting and FM Detection — this presentation will discuss AI’s current throughput capacities and what lies on the horizon for AI robots, roller tables, automated dockside, and fieldside quality inspections
The conference also includes numerous networking opportunities, such as the Kick-Off Reception with a live auction to benefit the Potato Leadership, Education and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF), daily happy hours, and a closing party, Potato Palooza, at the historic Austin venue, Speakeasy, the release noted.
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