The High Ground of Texas will be sending a team of over 100 community members and regional Tailgate Party Sponsors to the 2009 World Ag Expo on February 10-12, 2009. Contacts made from this show will continue to add to the successful recruitment and expansion of the agriculture industry into the West Texas region.
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, Todd Staples, will be joining the High Ground in their marketing efforts at the 2009 World Ag Expo. The Commissioner will be joining other National, State and International dignitaries in the Opening Ceremonies and will participate in show activities promoting economic opportunities in Texas and in support of Agriculture in the Global economy.
The World Ag Expo is the largest event of its kind in the world and is held each year at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, California. Based on the shows current growth and momentum in the agriculture and dairy industry, this internationally recognized event will attract exhibitors and visitors from 50 states and more than 75 foreign countries. There will be over 2,500 exhibitors and over 250,000 attendees at the show. In addition to over 2 million square feet of exhibits, the show also offers over 100 seminars on a variety ag-related topics and hosts the Hi-Tech Heritage Complex, The Farm Equipment Museum, and the Agriculture Learning Center.
Various ag-based industries will be targeted during the show, including Heifer Replacement Companies, Veterinary Services, Dairy Processing Plants, Manufacturing Companies of Ag Equipment, Implement Companies, Livestock Transportation Companies, Distribution Centers, Ag-Service Suppliers, and more. Since 1999, the marketing efforts of the High Ground of Texas at the World Ag Expo has resulted in over $250 million dollars of new investment and hundreds of new jobs in the region.
The High Ground of Texas will also be hosting their famous hospitality event, the "7th Annual High Ground of Texas Tailgate Party" to be held on Wednesday, February 11th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the VIP tent on the show grounds. This annual Tailgate Party continues to be a huge success, serving over 600 potential clients each year, resulting in over 150 annual visits to the region regarding business opportunities. Inquiries from prospective new clients have also been made following the event by numerous ag-related businesses soliciting information about possible expansion projects. The High Ground will also be sponsoring their "Ribs & Tunes at the RV" event on Tuesday, February 10th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for prospects, sponsors, vendors and regional allies.
Back by popular demand, the entertainment for the events will be provided by the band "Texas Crossroads" from Shamrock. The catering will be provided by Lynn Allen of Stratford.
Major Sponsors for the 2008 Texas Tailgate Party included First Ag Credit, Wells Fargo, Enviro-Ag Engineering, Hilmar Cheese Company, Don Pool Construction, DairyMax, ANPAC Insurance, Western Builders, Brandon Reid Construction, Lonestar Milk, Inc., and Dairy Farmers of America. Brown, Graham & Company sponsored the entertainment and DeLaval, Inc. sponsored the catering. In addition, 75 Regional Partners continue to help host and sponsor this exciting marketing event. The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation is, once again, generously sponsoring a Hospitality RV to be located in the parking lot of the World Ag Expo for the pleasure of all prospects, regional dairymen, sponsors and guests of the High Ground.
A limited number of Sponsorships for the upcoming 2009 event are still available. High Ground Representatives from Perryton, Dalhart, Stratford, Hereford, Dumas, Tulia, Friona, Muleshoe, Aspermont, Borger, Spearman, Amarillo, Plainview, Brownfield, Levelland, and Shamrock have made their plans to attend the 2008 World Ag Expo. In addition, representatives from the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, West Texas A&M University and regional electric cooperatives will be joining the High Ground Team.
The High Ground of Texas is a regional economic development marketing coalition that represents the northern 60+ counties in West Texas. The High Ground targets several industries in their annual diversified marketing plan including manufacturing, distribution, food processing, alternative energy & renewable fuels, dairies, plastics & packaging, petroleum, corporate headquarters, value-added agriculture, fabricating, bio-technology, and more. The High Ground coordinates various marketing events for the region, including trade shows, recruiting trips, direct mail projects, advertising, industry events, hospitality events, and web based marketing projects. All community High Ground Members receive all of the prospect leads generated in these marketing activities.
For more information about the 2009 World Ag Expo marketing initiatives or sponsorship opportunities, contact the High Ground of Texas office at (806)366-7510, higround@xit.net, or at www.highground.org. For more information on the World Ag Expo….go to www.worldagexpo.com. (pictures supplied upon request). |
