Every year, AgNet Media’s team convenes in North Fort Myers to produce Florida’s largest agricultural trade show and seminar event. This year AgNet Media is excited to bring the citrus, vegetable and specialty crop industries together with the Citrus and Vegetable & Specialty Crop (VSC) Expos. This is the group charged with making sure attendees and exhibitors have the best possible experience at the Expo. The team is excited to meet you in August, but here is a chance to meet the team!
Gary Cooper
- Occupation: Founder and President, AgNet Media
- Where I live: Ocala, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: Seeing everyone again and another great event for citrus, vegetable and specialty crop growers.
- My favorite hobby: Fishing
Robin Loftin
- Occupation: Vice President/Co-owner, AgNet Media
- Where I live: Ocala, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: The energy and enthusiasm of the attendees and exhibitors. It is always a thrilling experience.
- My favorite hobby: Playing with my dogs
Josh McGill
- Occupation: Manager of Events and Digital Operations
- Where I live: Gainesville, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: What I look forward to most every year is getting to see so many industry friends all come together to network and celebrate the industry.
- My favorite hobby: I enjoy anything on the water whether it be fishing, diving, or sitting on the beach.
Taylor Hillman
- Occupation: Operations Manager/Journalist
- Where I live: Clovis, CA
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: I look forward to the comradery seen through the aisles at the trade show and the great information delivered at the seminars.
- My favorite hobby: Bass fishing and taking my daughter to sporting events.
Ron Linkous
- Occupation: Business Development Manager
- Where I live: Leesburg, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: Seeing some of my clients that are out of town and come in for the Expo every year.
- My favorite hobby: Competitive shooting
Katie Ard
- Occupation: Business Development Manager
- Where I live: Clarks Hill, SC
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: Meeting many of our wonderful clients and making new friends and connections.
- My favorite hobby: Anything outdoors. A few of my favorites are boating, hunting, horseback riding, and traveling.
Abbey Taylor
- Occupation: Editor, VSCNews magazine
- Where I live: Gainesville, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: This year, I am looking forward to bringing the citrus, vegetable and specialty crop industries together again. Expo always provides a great opportunity to visit with old friends, and make some new ones as well.
- My favorite hobby: It’s difficult to pick one, but I love reading and practicing yoga in my free time.
Brian German
- Occupation: Multimedia Journalist
- Where I live: Fresno, CA
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: I’m looking forward to the addition of the Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo and bringing together an even larger, more diverse group of growers to learn from and network with.
- My favorite hobby: Playing music
Tacy Callies
- Occupation: Editor of Citrus Industry magazine
- Where I live: Orlando, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: The new citrus events this year, including “Meet the Citrus Specialists” and the live demonstrations
- My favorite hobby: Scrabble
Ernie Neff
- Occupation: Senior Correspondent at Large, Citrus Industry and VSCNews magazines
- Where I live: Lakeland, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: I look forward most to seeing many citrus industry friends, since there’s no better place to do that, as well as to having great seminars to report on.
- My favorite hobby: My favorite hobby is exercising, especially walking, including in the desert Southwest when possible.
Lisa Brown
- Occupation: Administrative Assistant
- Where I live: Williston, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: This is my first year at Citrus Expo, so I am excited to see what it’s all about!
- My favorite hobby: Gardening
Ashley Robinson
- Occupation: Event Coordinating Intern
- Where I live: Gainesville, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: I’m most looking forward to bringing the citrus, vegetable and specialty crop growers together for one great event!
- My favorite hobby: Fishing or anything that involves being on the water.
Erin Freel
- Occupation: Owner, The Market Place
- Where I live: Weirsdale, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: I’m looking forward to working with the new FFA state officer team.
- My favorite hobby: Triathlon and travel together. This year is Alaska for Alaskaman, next year hopefully World’s International Triathlon Union in Amsterdam.
Rob Mann
- Occupation: Special Events Coordinator/Photographer
- Where I live: Weirsdale, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: The heat, rain, networking, and comradery.
- My favorite hobby: Fishing and golf
Karla Arboleda
- Occupation: Communications Intern
- Where I live: Gainesville, FL
- What I’m looking forward to most at the 2019 Citrus and VSC Expo: Reporting on the vegetable and specialty crop seminars.
- My favorite hobby: Karaoke
Citrus Expo and VSC Expo will take place Aug. 14–15 at the Lee Civic Center in North Fort Myers, Florida. Growers will not want to miss this year’s event, so don’t wait. To preregister, click here or call 352-671-1909.
Due to a staggering amount of support, Citrus Expo is currently sold out of indoor exhibitor space, but there are outdoor booths available. If you would like to exhibit outdoors or be added to the waiting list for indoor space, please fill out a registration form.
Information about the seminar sessions will be available soon. To learn more, visit CitrusExpo.net.