A range of educational seminars, breeding-stock shows and sales, and succulent pork products are just a few reasons to attend the 2013 World Pork Expo. Brought to you by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), this year’s event marks the Expo’s 25th anniversary. It is scheduled for June 5-7 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.
Come early for industry tours
Two pre-Expo tours will showcase U.S. agriculture and hospitality at its finest. A two-day tour on June 3-4 underwritten by the Illinois Soybean Association will display the diversity of U.S. Midwestern agriculture, from crops to livestock and shipping to agribusiness. The one-day tour, on June 4, will feature the rich agricultural areas in and around Des Moines.
Take in the trade show, seminars, entertainment
Nearly 20,000 pork producers and industry professionals from throughout the world are expected at the Expo. Attendees will find the latest pork-production technologies, products and services on display by more than 400 U.S. and international commercial exhibitors.
Randy Spronk, NPPC President, recommends producers stop at the free business seminars, which take place throughout the day on both Wednesday and Thursday. “The seminars are designed to provide solutions for on-farm production needs, including marketing options, herd-health protocols, feeding strategies and current issues,” says Spronk.
You can get a glimpse of future pork industry leaders at the Junior National swine show, which is hosted by the National Junior Swine Association and Team Purebred. Rounding out the swine exhibits are the purebred, open-class swine shows, followed by a public sale.
Of course there’s no shortage of mouth-watering pork. Each day, Expo attendees can head to the Big Grill to enjoy a free pork lunch. Last year, the grill masters served a record-setting 10,000 meals.
Adding to the festive atmosphere is MusicFest, a social highlight on Thursday afternoon where Expo attendees can relax, enjoy roast pork and refreshments, and listen to live music. This year Transit Authority, the premier tribute band to the Broadway masterpiece Chicago, will be gracing the stage along with Little Texas, whose hits include “God Bless Texas”, “What Might have Been” and “Kick a Little”.
Register to stay in the loop
To register, visit www.worldpork.org and click on the red registration button. The website also has the latest details about room availability at the official Expo hotels in its “Hotel/Transportation” section.
More information is available when you connect with World Pork Expo on Facebook and Twitter or download the official app by searching for “World Pork” in the Apple Store, Android Market or Blackberry’s App World.
