FROM THE ALAMO TO DISNEY WORLD.
One year after holding the largest conference and tradeshow of the North American potato industry, the U.S. potato industry will convene for Potato Expo 2010, to be held January 4-6, 2010. It will be held at Loews Royal Pacific Resort located within the heart of Universal Studio's parks and attractions in Orlando, Fla. The National Potato Council and the United States Potato Board have announced the 2010 theme as "Building a 2020 Vision."
General and sector specific presentations will focus on issues and developments of new technologies, tools and ideas in planning a clear vision and purpose for the U.S. potato industry of year 2020 and beyond.
Once again, sector breakout sessions for the chip, fresh, processed and seed industry segments will be scheduled each day of the Expo. These sessions will feature timely information about important industry developments delivered by respected professionals and researchers. This meeting format, first established last year, was extraordinarily effective in bringing the nation's potato industry under one roof. Over 900 growers and allied industry members gathered at last year's conference, which included a trade show with 65 exhibitors representing the potato industry's seed, chip-stock, fresh and processed input suppliers.
Based on feedback from Potato Expo 2009 attendees and exhibitors in San Antonio, tradeshow hours for Potato Expo 2010 have been expanded. Exhibit doors open at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4-two hours earlier than before. The breaks between potato sector and general meetings have also been lengthened to allow more time at the tradeshow. The Potato Association of America (PAA) will also be holding a Poster Session in conjunction with the tradeshow.
To assist Potato Expo 2010 participants and attendees in their planning and registration, a new website has been developed. The address is www.potato-expo.com. Be sure and register, mark your calendars and plan now to attend.
SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS UNITED POTATO GROWERS OF AMERICA MEETINGS
Wednesday, January 6
8 a.m. to Noon Red Potato Crop Conference
Noon to 1 p.m Luncheon
1 to 5 p.m Seed Division Meeting
5 to 7 p.m Reception
Thursday, January 7
7 a.m. to Noon Board of Directors Meeting
Noon to 1:30 p.m Luncheon
1:30 to 3:30 p.m Membership Meeting (Members and Guests)
POTATO RESEARCH BRAINSTORMING SESSION
Wednesday, January 6
2 to 6 p.m Meeting
7 to 10 p.m Dinner
For more information, contact Chuck Brown at chuck.brown@ars.usda.gov or (509) 786-9252
AMERICAN POTATO TRADE ALLIANCE
Wednesday, January 6
1:30 to 4 p.m Meeting
For more information, contact Matt Lantz at matthewl@bryantchristie.com or (206) 292-6340
PMANA MEETINGS
Thursday, January 7
7 to 10 p.m Reception
Friday, January 8
8 a.m. to 5 p.m Meetings
Saturday, January 9
8 a.m. to Noon Meetings
For more information, contact MaryAnn Sareault at kvpa@mts.net or (204) 239-6932
OPTIONAL TOURS (FOR SPOUSES AND FAMILIES)
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER BUS TOUR AND LUNCH WITH AN ASTRONAUT
Tuesday, January 5
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Optional
A must-see Visitor Complex experience, this tour takes guests on a tour of the Kennedy Space Center. The first stop on this go-at-your-own pace tour is the four-story LC-39 Observation Gantry, where guests enjoy a panoramic view of Kennedy Space Center and the Space Shuttle launch pads, as well as the rocket launch pads at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A short film and interactive displays demonstrate how the launch pads are constructed and how a shuttle is launched.
Buses then drive by the monstrous Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where the Space Shuttle is stacked for launch, and where the Apollo/Saturn V rockets were once assembled, as well as the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) where the Orbiter is examined and maintained after each mission.
The second stop is the Apollo/Saturn V Center (ASVC), where dramatic multi-media shows and numerous hands-on displays provide visitors with an inspirational and exhilarating look into America's quest for the moon. Guests relive the historic launch of Apollo 8 at the Firing Room Theater, then marvel at a monstrous 363-foot Saturn V moon rocket, the most powerful rocket ever built, and one of only three Saturn V rockets in existence. Finally, the Lunar Theater provides a rare look at the harrowing final moments before man landed on the moon.
From the ASVC, guests will go to the International Space Station Center or return back to the Visitor Complex. The International Space Station is the largest and most ambitious space program since the historic Apollo moon landings. Nations representing every continent are joining together to create the station that will weigh almost one million pounds and cover nearly a football field when completed.
The ISS Center provides an unmatched, up-close look inside the actual facility where NASA is processing ISS components. Highlights of this interactive tour also include replicas of a habitation unit, a laboratory module and the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module.
You will also experience the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of dining with an actual astronaut and hearing inspiring space exploration stories while enjoying a delicious buffet lunch. Guests have the opportunity to ask questions and have photos taken with the astronaut, and each guest receives a souvenir autographed by the featured astronaut.
UNIVERSAL'S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE-BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR
Wednesday, January 6
9 to 11:30 a.m.
VENTURE INTO THE WORLD OF LITERATURE AND DISCOVER THE SECRETS BEHIND THE TRANSFORMATION OF POPULAR LITERARY WORKS INTO SOME OF THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED ATTRACTIONS IN THE WORLD. THIS BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR OFFERS AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE AS GUESTS LEARN THE HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE THE TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES UNIVERSAL ORLANDO AN INDUSTRY LEADER IN ENTERTAINMENT.
NEW YORK STREET PARTY AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
Tuesday, January 5
7 to 10 p.m.
Included in Attendee, Spouse and Child Registration.
This event is sponsored by Bayer Crop Science. Universal Studios is rolling out the red carpet for the guests of the Potato Expo 2010. You'll feel like you're "on location" on the bustling streets of Manhattan as you enter the meticulously detailed facades resembling many of the familiar landmarks and neighborhoods of the Big Apple. Just like the real thing there's something for everyone ... you can dance in the streets, take a romantic stroll, grab a bite to eat or catch a Blues Brothers show. Whatever you are in the mood for.
If it's a thrill you are looking for, you will want to be one of the first to experience the new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit-Universal Orlando's newest thrill ride-combining audio and special effects engineering, sophisticated on- and off-board video and one-of-a-kind guest personalization to create a roller coaster experience unlike any other. Or take a psychological thrill ride on the Revenge of the Mummy, combining high-speed roller coaster technology, live pyrotechnics and the most advanced robotics ever engineered!