The Irrigation Association wrapped up its 35th annual Irrigation Show & Education Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
The show brought more than 4,100 attendees and 304 exhibitors.
IA offered 20 different agriculture, turf/landscape and business education classes, in addition to more than 30 irrigation seminars and technical sessions. Attendees earned IA CEUs for all education at the show.
Additionally, IA offered certification exams for irrigation technicians, contractor, auditors, designers and water managers throughout the week. More than 140 industry professionals took the exams on site.
This year’s show marked the first year that IA hosted a Women in Irrigation Social, where approximately 75 women gathered to network.
Show floor sessions included an update on the Smart Water Application Technologies initiative and recognition of the winners of the 2014 Smart Marketing Contest.
At the end of the week, guest speakers from New Zealand, Uruguay and the United States gathered for the second annual International Agricultural Irrigation Summit. Presenters discussed global regulations, agricultural best practices and international sustainability initiatives. Attendees participated in a panel discussion that focused on challenges facing global agricultural production, partnership opportunities and efficient irrigation’s role in sustainable, long-term solutions.
IA’s Expo Advisory Committee and professional staff have already begun planning next year’s show, Nov. 9-13, in Long Beach, California.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s coming next year:
- 2015 Irrigation Symposium: IA has partnered with the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers to host the 2015 Irrigation Symposium in conjunction with the show.
- International Buyer Program Select: IA has been selected for the second year to participate in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program Select, which helps to connect pre-qualified foreign buyers with U.S. companies.
