Tulare
- The world's largest farm equipment and technology show opens its
doors in Tulare on Tuesday and with it comes the hopes of a better year
ahead.
World Ag Expo is the barometer that many turn to in trying to determine what the year ahead will be like. Indications are, based on exhibitors signed up, it will be a good year.
“It's even better than we had hoped,” said Jerry Sinift, manager of the show which will run Feb. 9-11. He said that the number of exhibitor space rented will be down less than 4 percent from a year ago – a good sign in light of the poor economy the past 12 months. And, last year was nearly a record year in term of exhibitors.
“I'm extremely pleased. We might even be able to claim we're a sold out show,” he added.
World Ag Expo draws more than 100,000 over three days to see, touch, smell, drive or sample some of the latest innovations, equipment and technology in the ag world.
From nearly million-dollar harvesters, to software smaller than a fingernail, WAE displays it all. For 43 years the show has been drawing the world to Tulare, and 2010 will be no different.
“Our international registration is way up,” said Sinift. People from India, Nigeria, Mexico and even Pakistan are registered.
And, he added, hotels are booked, including many in Fresno where the hotels there have taken advantage of what Sinift called high room prices in Tulare. The Fresno hotels are offering charter buses to bring people to WAE.
“High prices in Tulare is still an issue,” said Sinift, who warned last year that what he considers price gouging is hurting the show.
Fears that the large equipment expo, similar to World Ag Expo but in Florida, might take away from the Tulare event did not materialize. Sinift said that show had only 7,700 people register. He said ticket sales for the Tulare show have been on pace with past years.
One thing that will make it easier for people to attend this year's show is the ticket kiosks are gone, and so is the demographics questionnaire unless a person wants to register once inside the showgrounds. This year attendees can simply purchase a ticket at the gate and enter. They will have the option to register for the badge once inside the grounds.
Sinift said while the information gathered at the kiosks was “invaluable” to exhibitors, it made the ticket process too cumbersome and time consuming.
Also, the cost to get into the show, as well as exhibit space costs, did not increase this year, only the second time in show history that exhibitor prices were not increased.
The show will again features numerous seminars – from cow care to cooking – great food from local charitable organizations, entertainment and more.
Food Booths Gear Up
United Way of Tulare County is one of more than 35 non-profits that will be offering up anything from inguica sandwiches to waffles to the tens of thousands of attendees at this year's WAE.
“This is our second biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Jessica Weaver, special projects coordinator with United Way of the booth it has had at the show every year for many years. She estimated the food booth generally grosses about $25,000.
United Way will offer tri-tip breakfast burritos, sandwiches, “world famous chili beans made from scratch” and this year fried bologna sandwiches. Its booth is located at J and South Greenbelt.
Like all of the non-profits, the booths are manned by volunteers and many rely on donations to stock the food shelves.
“Keeping our expenses down is key,” she said, adding that businesses like Ruiz Foods, Holiday Inn and, AmeriPride Uniform Services donate supplies to help lower their start-up costs.
And, last year they had more than 700 hours donated by volunteers who cook and prepare the food beginning at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday and not leaving the grounds until about 6 p.m. each day.
Money raised by the United Way supports 22 non-profit organizations throughout the county, said Weaver.
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