The World Pork Expo returns to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, June 5-6. Presented by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), this year’s Expo will give attendees a new two-day format packed full of great opportunities, including an expansive tradeshow, educational seminars and numerous networking events.
Here are four important reminders as you get ready to head out to the show:
1. Visit the trade show.
Discover the pork industry’s latest products, innovations, and services at the world’s largest pork-specific trade show. With 395 companies from North America and worldwide on-site, you’ll want to leave plenty of time to see everything you can. You can also view the exhibitor list and trade show floor plans online.
“I always enjoy looking at all the new technologies. Even when I was young kid, I would be mesmerized by some of it. My main reason was wondering if it would actually catch on and be practical and function. Over the years it’s been fun to see what new technologies worked and which ones flopped,” says Wade Hendricks, an Indiana pork producer.
2. Network with industry experts.
Alongside the trade show, you’ll find more than 50 hospitality tents conveniently situated on the fairgrounds plaza. Expo attendees can drop in and visit company representatives to learn about the latest innovations and developments. Leave enough time to take advantage of these valuable networking opportunities.
“My favorite thing to do at the World Pork Expo is networking. I work in research at The Maschhoffs which allows me the opportunity to work with a lot of different companies on new technologies,” says Katie Brown, an Illinois pork producer. “World Pork Expo puts all those individuals in one location. Meeting face to face allows for those partnerships to grow and new avenues to be seen clearer than on another Teams call.”
3. Expand your pork industry knowledge.
Included with the cost of admission, attendees can take advantage of various business seminars and Pork Academy sessions. These offerings cover wide-ranging topics such as profitability, production processes, and more. These seminars provide valuable insights into many areas of the pork industry to help producers take their businesses to the next level.
4. Catch up with old friends and make new ones.
Leave time for fun, too! Take advantage of the opportunity to meet up with old friends and make new friends while you are at World Pork Expo this year.
“No matter when I have been to Expo, it has always been rewarding to see and talk to former colleges, while also making new friends that share the same passions,” says Tom Layne, an Oklahoma pork producer.
Find more information here at worldpork.org.
We will be uniting together June 3-8 for PORK Week across all of our Farm Journal platforms to elevate the important role the pork industry plays in feeding the world. Share your stories and post photos on social media using #PORKWeek to help us honor the pork industry. From “AgDay TV” to “AgriTalk” to “U.S. Farm Report” to PorkBusiness.com and everything in between, tune in and join us as we acknowledge the most noble profession there is: feeding people.
