The 2016 Commodity Classic in New Orleans, March 3-5, is being billed as the biggest and best Commodity Classic event ever. With time still left to register, registration numbers are already on track for a record number of attendees. Perhaps even more important to attendees is the improved and expanded trade show.
Commodity Classic Co-Chair Sam Butler, a soybean farmer from Alabama, said virtually everything about the 2016 Commodity Classic is setting new standards. “I really don’t know where to start. Everything from the educational sessions to the Evening of Entertainment to the trade show is bigger and better,” Butler said. “This is also the first time Commodity Classic has been in New Orleans, and that takes the excitement level up a few notches as well.”
The participation of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers in the 2016 Commodity Classic has added considerable excitement and participation from leading equipment companies, including a number of short line manufacturers.
“In the past we’ve had about 250,000 to 300,000 square feet of trade show space. We have 600,000-plus square feet for the trade show this year,” said Commodity Classic Co-Chair Wesley Spurlock, a corn farmer from Texas. “With the addition of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers this year, we’ve seen many big equipment companies triple the size of their footprint for 2016.”
As the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show, Commodity Classic offers a unique experience for farmers that cannot be found anywhere else. Spurlock noted that all educational sessions, entertainment and experiences at Commodity Classic are selected by a committee made up of farmers.
“You get this view from all different commodities from all levels. And we’re all in the room working together.” Spurlock said. He went on to emphasize that they work to put on a show that works for the farmer.