Potato Expo set for big networking and education opportunities
A big potato industry reunion is right around the corner.
The in-person Potato Expo 2022 is set for Jan.5-6 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif.
Registration is available online.
The event, organized by the National Potato Council, is the largest annual potato industry conference and trade show held in North America, according to event organizers.
“We're really looking forward to having everybody back together,” said Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council. “Obviously, it's a big opportunity for everybody to see each other, but we also have a really strong educational component to the expo, and we’re excited about that.”
The program’s highlights include:
- Cooking demonstrations from Simon Majumdar, world-renowned broadcaster, food writer, author, cook, Food Network judge and TV personality and featuring RJ Harvey, RDN, CEC, Culinary Director, Potatoes USA;
- Profits and climate change: . The presentation by plant pathologist Thomas Young will focus on solutions to the problems brought on by climate change with an emphasis on preventative solutions;
- Genetic responses of potato tubers to chemical sprout regulators: Mike Campbell, professor of biology at Penn State University will look at new chemistries and procedures to inhibit sprouting;
- Harnessing the power of biologicals and chemistry: Jonathan Adamson, regional manager of Vive Crop Protection, will speak on solutions that combine both biologicals and chemistry, to maximize the performance of both types of active ingredients;
- It’s not leading if they won’t follow you: Led by Led by Laurie Richards, CEO of Laurie Richards and Associates, the session features alumni of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute on how their use effective communication tools despite their different leadership styles;
- Live podcast recording: Live Podcast Recording: Inflation Forecast – How Will Rising Prices Impact the Industry? During this session participants will gain insight around these factors and what they will mean to the 2022 crop season. Host: Lane Nordlund, host of The Eye on Potatoes Podcast. Guest: Pat Hatzenbuehler, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology, University of Idaho;
- Volatility In Inputs – 2022 Production Cost Forecast: Led by Pat Hatzenbuehler, assistant professor and extension specialist, Department of Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology, University of Idaho, this session will provide profitability forecasts and probability scenarios to understand the impact of volatile input prices on potato production for the coming year;
- Farm succession planning in uncertain times: In this session, staff from Lincoln Agribusiness Services will address transfer planning 101: Understanding your options under the tax code, as they stand at the time of Potato Expo; proposed changes, and how they may complicate planning; steps you can take today to protect the farm and your family; and case studies showing how these work in real life;
- Recovery since COVID-19. Is Foodservice Coming Back? This session, featuring Marie Molde, Client Solutions, Data Essentials and John Toaspern, Chief Marketing Officer, Potatoes USA, will offer an understanding of where the foodservice sector is today, what challenges it continues to face, and where will it look like as it comes back;
- Taking Carbon to the Bank: Gain insight from the Rabo Carbon Bank’s first U.S. pilot program, featuring Cristian Barcan, Vice President, Sustainability, North America Rural Business, RaboAgriFinance; and
- Building Your Sustainability Strategy and Program: John Mesko, executive director, Potato Sustainability Alliance, will share the steps necessary to build a sustainability program and strategy into a potato business, including examples of how Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) members are meeting the needs of their customers and supply chain.
