Everything You Need to Know Before Expo

The Citrus Expo and Vegetable & Specialty Crop (VSC) Expo are right around the corner! In order to make the most of your experience, here’s everything you should know before you go.

TRADE SHOW AGENDA

  • Wednesday, Aug. 14
    • Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. Enjoy complimentary sausage and biscuits before walking the trade show floor.
    • Ribs and beef hoppin’ John will be served for lunch at 12:10 p.m.
    • The Citrus Expo Networking Reception will be from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Join us for complimentary food, drinks and fun!
  • Thursday, Aug. 15
    • Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. Enjoy complimentary sausage and biscuits before walking the trade show floor.
    • Pulled pork, baked beans and coleslaw will be served for lunch at 12:10 p.m.
    • Check out the trade show until 2 p.m.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

A not-to-be missed feature at Expo this year is the General Session on Wednesday morning. Distinguished speakers from throughout the United States will discuss hot issues in Florida agriculture, including hemp, water and labor. No matter what you grow, this session is for you. View the full seminar schedule.

Last year, AgNet Media incorporated vegetable and specialty crop seminars into the 28-year-old Citrus Expo. The change was met with positive feedback from both growers and industry members. Therefore, AgNet Media decided to expand that side of the program and debut the VSC Expo this year, being held in conjunction with Citrus Expo. The VSC Expo seminar program was created with growers of all kinds in mind and will address pests, diseases, alternative crops and more.

There’s something new this year for citrus growers at Expo! They will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops and learning experiences led by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers. The hands-on session takes place at 2:00 p.m. on Aug. 15 in the Davidson House at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers. UF/IFAS will have 11 different activities that growers can engage in. Some of the activities include using soil moisture sensors, identifying pests and fungal diseases, and measuring soil pH.

UF/IFAS will also host a “Meet the Specialist” session taking place at the same time as the hands-on workshops. Researchers will be available to speak with growers one-on-one. This is the perfect opportunity for citrus growers to ask researchers questions they may have about their groves, as well as interact with them on a personal level rather than in a large meeting-room setting. UF/IFAS faculty look forward to interacting with growers at these new additions to Citrus Expo. Click here to learn more.

UNWIND AT THE GROWER NETWORKING RECEPTION!

On Wednesday at 3:30 p.m., the trade show hall will come alive with food, drinks and music! The Grower Networking Reception, which will include complimentary appetizers and an open bar, will provide a great opportunity for growers to mingle with their peers and the Expo exhibitors.

Also during the Grower Networking Reception, a lucky winner will go home with a fantastic Backyard BBQ Bundle from the FFA raffle! Citrus Expo and VSC Expo are proud to partner with Florida FFA to help support the future of Florida agriculture. Be sure to find an FFA state officer on Wednesday at the trade show to buy raffle tickets and support a great cause.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

For more details on Expo, including host hotel information, visit CitrusExpo.net or e-mail CitrusExpo@AgNetMedia.com.