ST. LOUIS (March 15, 2011) –The 2011 Commodity Classic surpassed all previous turnout records with a total of 4,826 attendees. Farm families represented over half of the participants with 2,776 attendees, and first-time attendees saw an 80 percent increase over the previous year.
Commodity Classic is the premier convention and trade show of the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the National Sorghum Producers.
“2011 Commodity Classic was probably the most successful and upbeat show we’ve ever had,” said Commodity Classic Co-chair Charles Cannatella. “You can see why it’s called a premier trade show when you look around the crowd and see the caliber of people there that have come to learn and help guide their organizations in the upcoming years.”
This year, two of our country’s top agricultural policy leaders in Washington — Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas — spoke at the General Session. Those in attendance heard Chairman Lucas frankly discuss the prospects of the 2012 Farm Bill and proclaim that “the EPA assault on production agriculture must stop.” Secretary Vilsack acknowledged the incredible advancements made in American agriculture, the importance of biofuels to our national security and the contribution of agricultural exports to the health of our economy.
The General Session also included discussions with commodity group presidents and a motivational performance by comedian Frank Miles. The Evening of Entertainment featured a performance by the chart-topping Little River Band. Other events included association banquets, education sessions and numerous networking opportunities.
Commodity Classic 2012 will be held March 1-3 in Nashville, Tenn.