We are EXCITED to announce the Florida Blueberry Growers Association Fall 2018 Meeting & Trade Show will be held on Tuesday October 30th at a NEW location, conveniently located off I-75 in Ocala, FL. This will be a day-long event of educational seminars as well as the opportunity to visit with 35+ vendors to the blueberry industry. Lunch is included in your paid registration.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Ocala Conference Center
3600 SW 38th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474
(352) 629-9500
Florida Blueberry Growers Special Rate

ATTENDEE REGISTRATION –

MEMBER/Advance Registration: $25
(Now through Monday, 10/22/18 at 12:00 noon)

NON-MEMBER & Day-of-Registration: $50

The FBGA Registration Desk will be open Tuesday, 10/30/18 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for vendor and attendee check-in. After check-in, the Registration Desk will remain open to Members to check the status of their membership, update their contact information, etc.will be open Tuesday, 10/30/18 from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.The FBGA Registration Desk

Link to Register via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fbga-fall-2018-meeting-trade-show-attendee-registration-tickets-49185276486

SEMINAR AGENDA (TENTATIVE/Subject to Change) –

2018 FBGA Fall Short Course, Preliminary Program

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Holiday Inn and Suites Conference Center

3600 SW 38^th Ave., Ocala FL

8:30 a.m. – Visit Trade Show

9:00 a.m. – Welcome – Dr. Saqib Mukhtar, Associate Dean for Extension and Ag Program Leader, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

9:15 a.m. – Update on gall midge, root weevil, and chilli thrips management – Dr. Oscar Liburd, entomologist, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

9:45 a.m. – Review of important blueberry diseases including algal stem blotch, bacterial wilt, and others – Dr. Phil Harmon, plant pathologist, IFAs, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

10:15 a.m. – A word from our sponsor – Mr. Teddy Koukoulis, Wish Farms.

10:20 a.m. – Break – Visit the Trade Show

11:00 a.m. – Best pollination practices for blueberry growers – Dr. Rachel Mallinger, pollinator ecologist, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

11:30 a.m. – A word from our sponsor – Island Grove Ag Products.

11:35 a.m. – Overview of the University of Florida blueberry breeding program – Dr. Patricio Munoz, blueberry breeder, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

12:05 p.m.  – FBGA’s FDACS Grant and the FBGA Business meeting – Ms. Brittany Lee, FBGA president and grower, Florida Blue Farms, Waldo, FL.

12:15 p.m. – Update on USHBC activities – Mr. Ken Patterson, owner and general manager, Island Grove Ag Products, Hawthorne, FL.

12:25 p.m. – Lunch

1:25 p.m. – Overview of the Mexican blueberry industry – Mr. Michael Hill, H&A Farms, Mount Dora, FL.

1:50 p.m. – A word from our sponsor – Ms. Regina Thomas, Farm Credit of Central Florida.

1:55 p.m. – Grower panel on mechanical harvesting for fresh market s – Mr. Kyle Hill, owner/operator, H&C Harvesting; Mr. Tom Kennedy, owner/operator, Kennedy Harvesting; and Mr. Steve Musgrove, manager, Jamestown Blueberries.

2:25 Florida Blueberry Festival update, Ms. Michael Heard, president and event/marketing chairwoman, Kissimmee, FL.

2:35 p.m. – Visit the Trade Show.

3:00 p.m. – Adjourn.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS.

 

  

VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES –

Please visit our Vendor Registration Eventbrite page for booth options, fees and setup information.

Link to Register via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fbga-fall-2018-meeting-trade-show-vendor-registration-tickets-49187471050

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES –

Platinum Sponsor (1 available): $2000
Gold+ “Afternoon Break” Sponsor (1 available): $1750
Gold Sponsor (1 available): $1500
Silver Sponsor: $1000
Event Tote Bag Sponsor (1 available): $1000
Breakfast Sponsor (1 available): $600
Event Lanyard/Name Tag Sponsor (1 available): $500
Tote Bag Insert: $250

For sponsorship benefits and/or more information, please contact Lindsay Morgan at 352-631-5490 or [email protected]