Map Out Your 2013 Florida Ag Expo Plan Of Attack
September 20, 2013 
The 2013 Florida Ag Expo, presented by Florida Grower in partnership with UF/IFAS, FFVA, the Florida Tomato Committee, and Strawberry Growers Association, is set for Nov. 6. Now in its eighth year, the signature gathering attracts Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers to the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm to meet, mingle, and most importantly — learn.
The one-day event has plenty to see and do, so it’s essential to plan your time accordingly.
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Check the following pages for six essential points of interest to help you navigate your visit.
1. Registration/Check In
Pick up your name tag, lunch ticket, and a copy of “Vegetable Pest ID & Control Vol. 2” authored by UF/IFAS vegetable agent and longtime Florida Grower author Gene McAvoy. You can pre-register at FloridaAgExpo.com or sign up on site. As always, growers, researchers, students, and association personnel are admitted free.
2. Educational Session Room
Always packed with plenty of useful information, the educational portion of the program doesn’t disappoint. And this year is no exception. Some of the highlights from the 2013 lineup includes: firsthand feedback from a distinguished panel of growers taking on and talking about issues of the day; an entire session about what’s next in the post-methyl bromide apocalypse; as well as the opportunity to gather CEUs for participating in the afternoon’s pest control presentations.
Click here to see the complete agenda.
Florida Ag Expo Extended Coverage
For the sixth consecutive year, DuPont has agreed to be the exclusive sponsor of Florida Ag Expo Extended Coverage. Stay tuned for post-event coverage highlighting key presentations from this year’s Expo.
3. Field Tours
Hands down, the field tours are among the most popular attractions at the Florida Ag Expo. Led by a team of UF/IFAS researchers, attendees will see for themselves the latest developments from the plots adjacent to the GCREC, which are home to multiple studies covering the gamut of new varieties, crop protection methods, water conservation, and more. The tours, broken up into morning and afternoon trips, start and depart from the parking circle at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Look for the covered wagons and grab a seat.
4. Lunch Tent
Lunch is served. This well-nourished break in the action gives attendees a chance to fuel up for the second half of the day and catch up with peers to discuss what they’ve heard and seen already. Lunch is complimentary for those who pre-register. A small fee applies to on-site registrants.
5. Tradeshow Exhibit Areas
An array of the latest industry products and services will be on display in the tradeshow exhibit area. From crop protection, to research, to financial services, and more, a wide spectrum of business-boosting resources all in one place will make the trip through the outdoor exhibit area and the adjoining indoor corridor of displays well worth it. Make sure to visit the more than 80 tradeshow vendors before and in between the educational sessions to not only learn about what’s new, but also for a chance to win some great giveaways.
6. Outdoor Equipment Roundup
This is the place to kick the tires, hop in, and start ’em up. Last year, the outdoor equipment pavilion featured motorized pieces aplenty for growers to size up his or her next big purchase. While here, keep a lookout for more door prize giveaway opportunities.
See you in Balm.