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EWEDA Travels to Tulare, CA for the World Ag Expo

Members representing EWEDA

Members representing EWEDA: Joe Schmitt, Yakima County Development Association, Gary Ballew, Port of Pasco, Stephen McFadden, Adams County and Brant Mayo, Grant County EDC

Brant Mayo, Executive Director of the Grant County Economic Development Council, along with the Eastern Washington Economic Development Association (EWEDA) traveled to Tulare, CA February 13-15, 2018 for the 51st Annual World Ag Expo.

An estimated annual average of 100,000 individuals from more than 50 countries attend World Ag Expo each year. The Expo is the largest annual agricultural show of its kind with 1,500 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show grounds.

Each year the EWEDA team’s goal is to meet with as many companies who are interested in expanding or moving to the Pacific Northwest. This year the team was set up 10 meetings with interested companies prior to the Expo. While exploring the Expo, team members were able to meet additional companies who had booths as well as meet up with local companies who had a presence at the Expo.

“Being able to travel as a region to a show as big as this is an excellent way to get in front of companies looking to expand,” explained Mayo, “Companies don’t know county lines, but they do know that the Columbia Basin and Eastern Washington is a great location with the right infrastructure and a long growing season.”

2018 World Ag Expo

2018 World Ag Expo

Next year EWEDA is planning on changing their approach and will have a booth. Plans are to reach out to local companies to let them know that the booth can be home base for those without a booth. Outreach and meeting arrangements to targeted companies will also continue.

The 2019 Ag Expo will be February 12-14 in Tulare, CA at the International Agri-Center.