Cherry Institute, the longstanding annual meeting hosted in January by Northwest Cherry Growers, will be moving to December this year as part of a new partnership with the Washington State Tree Fruit Association and its annual meeting.
Cherry Institute will be on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Washington, joining forces with the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Annual Meeting and the Northwest Hort Expo, held from Dec. 7 to 9. Bringing both events together under one roof will deliver more educational, networking and vendor opportunities more efficiently, organizers said.
“The change will help strengthen attendance while also being sensitive to growers’ time and budgets,” said Eric Patrick, president of Northwest Cherry Growers and the Washington State Fruit Commission, which publishes Good Fruit Grower. “This change also creates added value for trade show exhibitors and industry partners by bringing more attendees together during the week and saving money by forgoing a separate show less than a month later.”
Participants will have the option to purchase a three-day registration for the WSFTA annual meeting, trade show and Cherry Institute together, or purchase a registration only for Cherry Institute.
“The addition simply allows growers, researchers, industry leaders and exhibitors to come together in one location for an even more comprehensive experience,” Kamaly Cleaver, WSTFA director of communications and events, said in an email. “The collaboration also transforms Wednesday into a full day of programming and activity, creating even more value for exhibitors, sponsors and attendees.”
The Cherry Institute will maintain its own identity, Patrick said, with the traditional Cherry King recognition lunch plus an agenda set by cherry industry leaders and the Northwest Cherries and Good Fruit Grower team. Destiny Nash, director of cherry sales for Domex Superfresh Growers, will serve as session manager.
More information about the events and registration options will be available in the coming months. •
