Hundreds expected at 2012 potato conference

KENNEWICK - The three-day Washington-Oregon Potato Conference kicks off Tuesday at Kennewick's Three Rivers Convention Center.

It is where hundreds of people gather to see the latest in agricultural equipment, meet other growers and hear industry speakers.

Brandy Parker, of the Washington State Potato Commission, said 1,700 people attended the event last year.

This year, event organizers are expecting the same amount and hoping for a few more attendees because of the extra outdoor exhibits.

"Every year, we do a little bit more," she said. "This year, we have coffee all day long for exhibitors and patrons."

Parker serves on the conference committee and interacts with the exhibitors before the show.

They seem excited for the event, she noticed.

"They really like our show," Parker said. "It's a class-act show."

She said the commission's research director, Andy Jensen, finds great speakers.

The show ends at noon, Thursday, as Jensen thinks quality is important, rather than quantity, she explained.

Parker said her favorite part of the show is "all the great people you get to meet."

"Every year, there's someone new who comes along and wants to be part of the show," she said. "It's a great group we work with."

The trade show portion of the event takes place from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, and 8 a.m. to noon, Thursday.

The trade show features 102 exhibitors from the Northwest and throughout the U.S., including fertilizer companies, seed potato businesses, and farm equipment dealers.

Exhibit booths were sold out this year.

The schedule includes an early bird reception from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday, at the Red Lion Columbia Center, at 1101 N Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick.

Montana author and nutritionist Dayle Hayes is the keynote speaker. Her talk starts at  11 a.m., Wednesday and is titled "Potatoes, Kids and Schools: Understanding the Science, Calming the Criticism."

Conference highlights on Tuesday include a Spanish language session, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., a cultivar performance workshop, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and a trade show reception and potato political action committee auction, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

On Wednesday, general sessions take place from 7:55 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The baked potato bar is offered from noon to 1:30 p.m., Wednesday.

Wednesday ends with a Leadership Recognition Banquet, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Red Lion Columbia Center

On Thursday, general sessions and the trade show take place from 8 a.m. to noon.

Admission into the conference is $5 per person.

For more information, read the 2012 Washington-Oregon Potato Conference guide inserted in the Columbia Basin Herald today.

The Three Rivers Convention Center is located at 7016 W Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick.