The Ag Connect Expo and Summit, with a stronger focus on technology and new products and innovations, will be in Kansas City, Mo., Jan. 30 to 31.  

After a scheduled hiatus, the Ag Connect Expo and Summit is back in 2013 with more exhibitors, show space and educational seminars. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) will host the event Jan. 30 to 31 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Mo.

AEM held the first Ag Connect in 2010. After the 2011 show, the association announced that it would host the event every other year—synchronized with Agritechnica in Germany.

Expanded lineup. This year the expo and summit will feature more than 330 exhibitors as well as educational seminars and co-located events that showcase new technologies and practices. In addition to machinery  companies that are members of AEM, the expo will include short-liner, technology, software, crop protection, fertilizer and seed companies. The exhibitors are divided into themed pavilions such  as components; business and technology; specialty products; and international (Germany, Spain, Italy and China).

A new facet of the expo will be a Gold and Silver medal award program on the show floor to recognize product innovations.

"We put a very big focus on new technology, new products and new innovations," says Sara  Mooney, show director for AEM. "The AE50 [an awards program hosted by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers] has been part of our program before, but this year, from that pool of distinguished innovations, we’ll be highlighting Silver and Gold medal winners."

All of the AE50 award winners will be recognized in a display at the show and will have decals at their booths, as will the Silver and Gold award winners.

Throughout the planning process, AEM has been especially focused on bringing together expertise.

"We’ve added the word ‘summit’ to our event because when we asked producers what they want from Ag Connect, they told us they find value in networking with high-level company representatives," Mooney says. "Beyond the exhibits, we offer education, a lot of dialogue and expertise."

There are more than 20 co-located events that will bolster that level of expertise for all attendees. In addition, AEM has courted noted professionals to participate in its Masters and Mavericks campaign.

"The Masters and Mavericks campaign highlights the experts that will be present at the show—in their company’s booth or at an educational session. Each of these people has a profile on our website to provide more details on what perspective they add to the event," Mooney says.

Farm Journal will host four of the co-located events: Corn College Planter Clinic, Legacy Project Workshop, Beef Today Forum and Dairy Today Forum (see page 66 for details).

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