Lenexa, Kan., (June 12, 2020) — Consistent with Farm Journal’s position on delivering market sensitive farm shows, trade shows and other events, while creating the farm event template for the future, The Packer’s West Coast Produce Expo slated for August 21-22 is being rescheduled in its entirety to Nov. 13-14, 2020, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert, Calif.
“Direct conversations with the partners and stakeholders that make our West Coast Produce Expo possible indicated that postponing the show to November will not only allow more companies and buyers to participate, but also put many people at ease about traveling at this time,” said Matt Morgan, Executive Vice President, Produce for Farm Journal. “Our research showed that more than 80% of registered buyers surveyed were in favor of rescheduling the event, which told us it was the right thing to do. With these changes in place, we expect this year’s event to be possibly the largest on record.”
The event will kick off with a golf tournament at 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Desert Springs Golf Course. The West Coast Produce Expo will incorporate several virtual networking opportunities as well as digital extensions of keynote presentations and roundtables that will extend the energy from Palm Springs across the country.
Attendees at the event can be assured their safety will be of the utmost importance. The West Coast Produce Expo will take place throughout the entire JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa with the potential for exhibits to be stationed inside and out throughout the beautiful property with sanitation stations and distancing guidelines a priority. Some of the safety measures that will be in place include:
- All social distancing guidelines recommended by Marriott Hotels.
- The golf tournament will move forward with built-in social distancing measures.
- One-on-one and small group networking sessions will be optional instead of larger in-person receptions.
- A large presence of hand washing and sanitation stations across the property.
All attendee registrations for the show will be honored for the new November dates and hotel room rates will remain the same. All sponsor and exhibitor investments in the show will be honored and applied to the new dates. Exhibitors can reach out to The Packer if they are unable to attend and collaborate on how to move forward.
“Rescheduling our very successful West Coast Produce Expo is fully consistent with our strategy to be COVID-sensitive and safe for our attendees and exhibitors, while establishing what we believe will be a template for the future of events in agriculture,” said Andy Weber, CEO of Farm Journal. “Events will never be held quite the same way, and we need to adapt to the change. This is consistent with reengineering our nationally acclaimed 28th Annual Pro Farmer Crop Tour™ into a safe, virtual and live event Aug.16–20, and immediately followed by our unprecedented launch of the first major virtual and live farm show experience with Farm Journal Field Days and the #FarmON Benefit Concert, set for Aug. 25–27, immediately following Crop Tour.”
More information about the West Coast Produce Expo and a revised schedule will be available soon. Visit WestCoastProduceExpo.com for additional updates as they become available.
About Farm Journal
Farm Journal is the nation’s leading business information and media company serving the agricultural market. Started 144 years ago with the preeminent Farm Journal magazine, the company serves the row crop, livestock, produce and retail sectors through branded websites, eNewsletters and phone apps; business magazines; live events including conferences, seminars and tradeshows; nationally broadcasted television and radio programs; a robust mobile text marketing business; and an array of data-driven paid information products. Farm Journal also is the majority shareholder of the online equipment marketplace, Machinery Pete LLC. In 2010, the Company established the non-profit, public charity Farm Journal Foundation dedicated to sustaining agriculture’s ability to meet the vital needs of a growing population through education and empowerment.