Organizers says AgConnect Expo is fast becoming a global agriculture gathering place for North America. AGConnect 2011 chairman Martin Richenhagen talked this morning about this year’s show which is going on now at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.  He says, “You feel the energy and see the cutting-edge technology” that makes AgConnect “a unique gathering place.”

Richenhagen, who is board chairman, president and CEO of AGCO – makers of Massey Ferguson and other name brands of farm equipment – told reporters this morning that their plan for success is working and AgConnect is receiving widespread industry support. He says there are more than 35 sponsoring and supporting industry organizations involved in AgConnect. One of them, the American Farm Bureau Federation – the nation’s largest farm organization – is holding its annual meeting along with AgConnect.

Richenhagen says there are 382 exhibitors covering almost 175,000 net square feet of space including the AFBF Tradeshow Pavilion. He says there are an estimated 12-thousand registrants for AgConnect and AFBF convention, compared to the almost 8-thousand registrants for AgConnect 2010 that was held in Orlando.

He says AgConnect Expo continues to demonstrate its global perspective with registrants from more than 60 countries outside the US, all 50 American states and nine out of 10 Canadian provinces.

Richenhagen says exhibitors are “very pleased with the quality” of the attendance, as they meet with buyers and conduct business, “We have seen that AgConnect Expo provides agribusiness and manufacturers with qualified customers and this is why the mood is so positive and why we have quality interactions on the show floor.”

When asked if he is still hearing voices in agriculture asking if another big farm show is needed – Richenhagen responded with “Yes” he’s hearing that and “Yes” AgConnect IS needed.  Sponsored by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers – Richenhagen said AgConnect is like no other and he characterized the other farm shows in the U.S. as ‘small to medium-sized,’ “But we do not have a big international show. Second, most of the shows are organized from people who want to make money with it. It’s a business. They are in the show business.” Richenhagen says Ag Connect Expo is reinvesting its show profits back into the show. There is yet one more day of the expo – including educational sessions – on Monday, January 10th.

AgConnect is partnered with AgriTechnica – Europe’s premier and long running farm equipment show and is held in even-numbered years, alternating with AgConnect.  The next AgriTechnica show will be in 2012.  AgConnect will be in Orlando again in 2013.  Richenhagen says they are discussing coming up with a permanent location for AgConnect.

AUDIO: Martin Richenhagen (4 min. MP3)