A strategic alliance, signed last year between the DLG (the German Agricultural Society) and AG CONNECT Expo organiser, AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers), aims to enhance the coordination of exhibitions that reach out to as many farmers as possible, giving them greater access to state-of-the-art technological developments each year. The premier AG CONNECT Expo is the first concrete result of this alliance.
Quality was the byword, from the best in education to the latest products and technologies on the show floor to the high-level, decision-making caliber of attendees and breadth of networking and knowledge-sharing, according to Sara Truesdale Mooney, show director, AEM.
"Attendees were very positive about the opportunity to interact with their peers in other parts of the world and get up to speed on the latest global best practices," Mooney stated.
"Exhibitors were very pleased with the show’s attendance, and the opportunity they had to meet with key buyers and conduct business on the show floor," added Money.
Already over 65 percent of the exhibition space has been reserved for 2011 which reflects the high satisfaction amongst exhibitors
Charlie O’Brien, AEM’s vice president of agricultural services, said AEM was very happy with the results of AG CONNECT 2010. “It is our strong belief that AG CONNECT will now grow from the strong foundation that was built in the first show. The results of the first show have strengthened our conviction that the vision was right for this type of global show in North America. We are pleased with the international presence at the 2010 show and the partnership with DLG. This partnership facilitates a coordinated effort in show planning and will enable exhibitors and visitors to plan their attendance and participation at Agritechinica and AG CONNECT in the future as complementary international exhibitions,” O’Brien said.
"European exhibitors were very satisfied with the quality of visitors. Many observed that they had been able to make good contacts from both North and South America. We are very pleased to be a strategic partner of this next generation trade show," says Dr. Jochen Köckler, managing director of DLG’s Exhibitions Department.
About 20 percent of registrants were from countries outside the U.S. More than 40 supporting organizations from around the world participated, and AG CONNECT Expo also featured exhibit pavilions from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China and Europe.
Planning is already underway for AG CONNECT Expo 2011, which is set for January 7-10, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. In recognition of its global scope, AG CONNECT Expo will subsequently be held on a biennial schedule with Agritechnica (held in Hanover, Germany biannually).
The management committee of AG CONNECT Expo 2011 has established three new industry-run sub-committees to oversee show education, exhibit space and rules, and marketing, in anticipation of the growing scope of the show. Leading the 2011 show committees are:
◦Martin Richenhagen, president and CEO of AGCO Corporation, and chair of the AG CONNECT Expo 2011 Management Committee
◦Steve Detrick of Deere & Company and chair, AG CONNECT Expo 2011 Exhibit Space & Rules Committee
◦Duane Nelson of Case IH and chair, AG CONNECT Expo 2011 Marketing Committee
◦Doug Mertz of Pioneer and chair, AG CONNECT Expo 2011 Education Committee
More AG CONNECT Expo 2010 facts:
◦312 exhibiting companies used 167,800 net square feet of exhibit space.
◦More than two thirds of the exhibit space at the inaugural show was reserved for 2011 during onsite sign-up sessions at the 2010 show.
◦Some 80 percent of registrants participate in purchasing decisions, and producer registrants on average farm nearly 2,900 acres.
◦More than 30 educational sessions, many with overflow attendance, were held, and approximately 35 percent of attendees signed up for educational sessions.
For more information on AG CONNECT and the team behind it please visit www.agconnect.com/dlg or contact via email at: agconnect@dlg.org
