Annual Potato Conference this week
Participants enjoy the potato bar during the 2013 Washington-Oregon Potato Conference in Kennewick. This year's conference kicks off Tuesday.
KENNEWICK - The 2014 Washington-Oregon Potato Conference kicks off Tuesday at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.
The Three Rivers Convention Center is located at 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd.
Hundreds of potato industry members will learn about the possibilities and challenges that face the industry in the upcoming year during the three-day conference.
The conference also features a trade show. Trade show hours this year are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday.
About 1,700 attendees were estimated to have gone to last year's conference, according to a previous Columbia Basin Herald article.
Trade show vendors will spend Monday setting up booths at the convention center, before the Early Bird Reception at the Red Lion Columbia Center from 6 to 9 p.m.
The first day of the conference includes the Spanish language sessions from 9 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. Registration for the Spanish language sessions begins at 8 a.m.
The comprehensive training and workshop includes information on pesticides, protective equipment, potato storage diseases and managing problem insects.
The Potato Cultivar Performance workshop also takes place on Tuesday from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Attendees will get the chance to view clones and cultivars from this year's trials, including a new Tri-State variety that produces high fresh pack yields with a high percentage of US No. 1s.
Tuesday concludes with a trade show reception and the Potato PAC auction.
The conference's general session workshops begin Wednesday morning at 8.
Updates from both the Oregon Potato Commission and the Washington State Potato Commission are scheduled to begin at 10:20 a.m.
The 2013 Ladies Program is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Participants will meet at the convention center.
Michael Broome, the event's keynote speaker, addresses attendees at 11 a.m.
The annual Potato Bar lunch takes place at noon.
There will be also be a leadership recognition banquet at the Red Lion Columbia Center from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday.
The 2013 Ladies Program is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Participants will meet at the convention center.
The conference concludes on Thursday with more workshop sessions from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.