As over 2,000 members of the potato industry converge on The Mirage in Las Vegas next week for the Potato Expo, attendees will find it pays to organize. A trade show of this size with all the accompanying events, requires a good plan in place. If you “wing it”, you may find yourself wandering aimlessly, wondering what to do next.
Here are the links you need:
Potato Expo trade show opens at 11:00 am on Tuesday, January 14, but if you are coming in early, be sure and attend the Potato Business Summit before that. It starts at 7:30 with a complimentary continental breakfast and ends right before the trade show opens at eleven. It is a worthwhile event, with a packed agenda. This event is usually standing room only, so it is a good idea to register.
After the Summit, head to the Potato Expo Trade Show. Here is where advance planning comes in. Know who you want to see before you get there and you will save yourself time and headaches. There are a record number of exhibitors this year, as well as new coffee bars and meet-up lounges. Find out which Potato Expo Exhibitors you want to see and make a plan with this handy Exhibitor Map.
There are many speakers during the trade show on the Expo Stage offering a wealth of advice and topics. The Potato Talks go throughout the event so make sure you know who you want to catch beforehand.
So you have your plan made and are getting ready to write it down? Do it the easy way and download the Android Potato Expo App. In the app, you can look over the Potato Talks, click on the ones you want to see and add a reminder to your calendar. Slick and simple. There is also an app for iPhone users.
You will also want to check out the Innovation Hub schedule to see if there is anything there that catches your eye. Don’t forget to “Work Out Like a Potato Grower” by attending the Tater Tabata on Wednesday morning to burn off some of the extra calories you are sure to have picked up at one of the amazing restaurants or buffets. With so much happening, it is going to be easy to forget a thing or two, so keep this Detailed Schedule link handy that shows everything going on at once.
Expo ends Wednesday night, but the potato events do not. On Thursday, Jan. 16, the NPC holds its Annual Meeting and Potatoes USA is having their Winter Meeting. You can still register for the NPC Annual Meeting here. If you are going to the Winter Meeting, just drop in.
Looking for entertainment on your downtime? There are a bunch of shows the week of Expo and always a ton of things to do in Vegas.
Have fun, stay out of jail and be sure and stop by to say “hello” at the Potato Country Booth.
