Conventions

Jan. 23-25, 2012. The International Poultry Expo is the primary source of funding for the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, the world’s largest and most active poultry organization. It represents the entire industry as an “All Feather” association. Membership includes producers and processors of broiler birds, turkeys, ducks, eggs, and breeding stock, as well as allied companies. The association has affiliations in 27 states and member companies worldwide. This nonprofit organization represents its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services. USPOULTRY keeps poultry leaders abreast of the latest federal regulations and provides technical expertise to help maintain and grow a healthy food supply. Or, if you like, setting a good eggs-ample…

Jan. 18-20, 2012. TPIE is for the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition, and it comes with oversight from the FNGLA, or Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association.  This is a trade event about showcasing the latest trends in foliage, floral and tropicals in South Florida. Delegates were welcomed to TPIE’s trade show exhibit area –  200,000 square feet of living and vibrant plants creating a virtual indoor garden of showstopping displays.  Additional educational opportunities were available through free demonstrations held each day, as well as a line-up of sessions specific to interiorscape professionals and business managers.  With more than 500 exhibiting companies, TPIE offered wholesale buyers the widest array of resources for foliage and tropical plants in the country, it was claimed.  This thing seems to be growing…

Jan. 8-10, 2012. This was Vegas, so the beekeepers adopted for their show the almost inevitable slogan:  ”Luck Bee a Lady”.  The expo gave delegates exposure to over 600 beekeepers, enabling them to see the latest in beekeeping innovations. In the keynote presentation, entitled “The 21st Century Hive:  People, Partners, Pollinators”, Laurie Davies Adams spoke about her role in the forward progress of the world’s largest nonprofit organization that is devoted solely to the health of all pollinating animal species, including all bees, butterflies, bats, and birds. She has signed agreements for Pollinator Partnership with U.S. federal agencies that influence over 1.5 billion acres of US land to encourage pollinator conservation.

Jan. 8-9, 2012. The Western Nursery & Landscape show now goes by the more informal name of National Green Center.  The National Green Centre claims to be integrating the green industry, consisting of Breeders, Growers, Independent garden centers, Landscape contractors, Landscape designers, Landscape architects, Research professionals, Editors & garden writers, and anyone connected with public gardens.  Attendees also included retailers, maintenance specialists, irrigation experts, turf mavens, golf-course builders and maintainers. A highlight was the Sweet Melissa Fashion Show, showing off the hottest new plants in horticulture  50 new plants “rocking the runway with models, music, lights and cameras”.  So remember, if you’re going… be sure to wear some flowers in your hair…

Virginia, we were told, is for wine-lovers, and Richmond’s Wineries Unlimited show never lost sight of that message. Wineries Unlimited is a division of Vineyard & Winery Management magazine, the leader in wine industry professional development and North America’s leading independent wine trade publication. Any idea how much stuff you need to be in the wine-making business? Think barrel and tank cleaning systems, cork supplies, bottling plant, label-printing, fencing, measurement and analysis tools, barrelage, vine-stock acquisition… The list goes on and on. Special Guest Speakers this year included Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, and Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, Todd Haymore. Back by popular demand was Virginia native Andy Beckstoffer of Beckstoffer Vineyards, delivering the General Session Keynote. Oh, and you had to be over 21 to attend. May I see i/d please?