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"This Show Means Business" Blog

Deborah M. Hamlin is the Executive Director of the Irrigation Association.

August 4, 2010

And the keynote is ... Robert Glennon, nationally renowned author of Unquenchable: America's Water Crisis and What To Do About It. Glennon is a law and public policy professor at the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law. I’ve personally seen Glennon speak three times in the last few years, and with each presentation he brings “real and surreal” solutions to the water crisis we face. Plan to join us at IA’s general session to hear his compelling insights.

Exhibitors, if you haven’t done so already, consider entering the New Product Contest. Products must have been introduced to the market between Aug. 30, 2009, and Aug. 31, 2010, to be eligible. The deadline to apply is October 6, so don’t delay! Eighty percent of the attendees each year share that the number one reason for visiting the exhibits is to learn about new products!

And, we have added a few new features to spice up the exhibit hall. This year includes a new “Center Stage” that will host IA briefings on Sunday (Certification, Government Affairs, Smart Irrigation Month), Ag Insights Track on Monday, and business sessions for landscape irrigation contractors on Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, we plan to offer a new dealer-distributor breakfast FREE inside the exhibit hall. Get there early to grab a bite to eat before finishing your visits on the closing day of the show.

All indicators point to a great show packed full of innovative technologies, water-efficient products and FUN!

 

 

July 1, 2010

I’m pleased to present the first in a series of updates about the exciting events that are planned for the 2010 Irrigation Show. This year, we will be hosting our tradeshow and accompanying events at Phoenix’s new convention center. Only two years old, this beautiful new facility is a tribute to Southwestern art and architecture. And, built to LEED standards, it has a reputation as one of the most green convention facilities in North America.

I’m delighted to share that exhibit booth sales are up. That leads me to believe that there is some new optimism in the industry and we can expect a positive show experience for all. As is our tradition, the exhibit hall will be open for three half-days: Sunday, Dec. 5, Monday, Dec. 6 and Tuesday, Dec. 7. Plan your time well to ensure you can make it around to all of the 300 booths we are expecting. For those of you who are interested in our traditional classroom-style, full-day courses, they will be available starting one day prior to the tradeshow and ending one day after – with the middle day completely open to visit the show.

This year we are pleased to invite back the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, who will be hosting our technical conference. They host our sessions every 10 years through a partnership that has been in place for 20 years. In addition to the technical sessions, they hold their annual conference in conjunction with the Irrigation Show, bringing an additional 300+ engineering visitors to the show floor.

There are ample opportunities at the Irrigation Show to see the latest product innovations, learn about efficient irrigation practices, and network with your peers. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. We plan to announce the keynote speaker in just a few days!

Deborah M. Hamlin, CAE
IA Executive Director