Convention Sponsors
ASTA's 129th Annual Convention
2011 Farm & Lawn Seed Conference
CSS 2011 & Seed Expo
51st Vegetable & Flower Seed Conference

 

 

 

 

FARM & LAWN SEED CONFERENCE

November 6 – 7, 2011

This is a joint convention with the western Seed Association’s Annual Convention. It is held in Kansas City and draws seed producers
mainly from the midwest who focus on turf, forage and farm seeds. The ASTA conference is in its 52nd year.

 

Duration/Pattern:	4 days for the Western Seed Association’s Annual convention, 2 days for ASTA programming (Sunday/Monday).
Average Attendance:	600 attendees (250 from ASTA membership)
Who Attends:	Executives, sales teams, purchasers
What Happens:	This convention is almost entirely trading and business appointments.  Meetings of ASTA’s Farm Seed division, lawn Seed division, invasive Species Working Group and environmental and conservation Seed committee will feature timely and relevant speakers in various industry, government and regulatory roles. Updates on activities from several regional associations will be given.

 

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CORN & SORGHUM AND SOYBEAN SEED RESEARCH CONFERENCE (CSS) & SEED EXPO

December 6 – 9, 2011

This is the largest ASTA event and also is the largest seed industry convention in the country. CSS 2011 & Seed Expo has been located
at the Hyatt Regency Chicago for the past 36 years. This is the 66th year for the Corn & Sorghum Seed Research Conference, 41st year
for the Soybean Seed Research Conference and 36th year for the Seed Expo.

 

Duration/Pattern:	4 days, Tuesday through Friday (registration opens one day prior). Seed expo: 2.5 days.
Average Attendance:	2,300 - 2,600 attendees
Who Attends:	Executives, agronomists, researchers, sales and marketing teams, operational/logistical employees and service providers.
What Happens:	The convention comprises three elements: The Soybean Seed Research Conference, the Corn & Sorghum Seed Research Conference and the Seed Expo. The two research conferences feature a series of industry and university presentations on issues related to the corn, sorghum and soybean seed trade, including biotechnology, management and production, breeding and genetics, pest management and many more.
Exhibitors/Sponsorships:	The Seed Expo features approximately 115 exhibitors serving all facets of the seed industry and includes several other features and services, including meeting suites for business appointments that can be reserved by the hour or for the two days of the Seed Expo.
Special Notes:	This event is fast-paced and provides a tremendous opportunity to meet with customers. There are many repeat attendees each year.  Appointments are typically made by registrants with each other in the weeks proceeding the show.

 

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ASTA’S 51ST VEGETABLE & FLOWER SEED CONFERENCE

January 21 – 24, 2012

 

Duration/Pattern:	4 days, typically Saturday through Tuesday.
Average Attendance:	750 attendees
Who Attends:	Vegetable and flower seed producers and service providers.  A large international attendance is expected.
What Happens:	The conference features cutting-edge industry and government speakers who will focus on vegetable and flower industry issues, plus a networking reception. Breakout sessions will cover a full range of topics from organic to biotechnology. The trading room, a focal point of this conference, is constantly filled to capacity with all-day networking, business appointments and exhibits.
Exhibitors/Sponsorships:	Approximately 25 exhibitors and 60 reserved table holders are present and cater directly to vegetable and flower seed producers, and are part of the trading room area. Reserved appointment tables allow companies to have a meeting table for their exclusive use throughout the conference.
Special Notes:	This meeting is compact in its layout, making it a hotbed of business activity. It also provides an opportunity to meet with a variety of seed companies due to the ASTA Board of Directors’ meeting.

 

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129 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION

June 20 – 23, 2012

This is the only convention that brings all sectors of the seed industry together.

 

Duration/Pattern:	For 2012, the convention activities will be scheduled from Wed.-Sat., with a special lobbying day for Tuesday, June 19.
Average Attendance:	350 - 400 attendees
Who attends:	All types of seed companies and service providers, mainly executive management.
What Happens:	Plenary sessions feature prominent speakers, both within and outside the seed industry, which complement a newstreamlined schedule representing every ASTA standing committee and division, addressing topics such as organic, international, phytosanitary, biotechnology and more. Special events, such as the welcome reception, opening breakfast and gala banquet, provide an opportunity to mingle and meet members and their families.
Exhibitors/Sponsorships:	Approximately 12 exhibitors, mainly service and technology providers to the seed industry, participate in this convention. The Annual convention has the most comprehensive sponsorship program of the three, typically featuring more than 100 different sponsoring companies. The First-the Seed Foundation will conduct a sport shooting event on June 18, and a golf tournament and 5K Fun run will be held on June 20. Each event has about 25 participants.
Special Notes:	This convention is the ceremonial event in which ASTA’s officers are elected, with the installation of the new chairman of the Board of Directors. Participants are encouraged to bring their families.