The Almond Board of California (ABC) will host The Almond Conference 2020 in a virtual conference setting during the week of December 7, 2020, with events for growers, handlers, and industry partners running throughout the week. The agenda will include educational sessions, social gatherings, an exhibit hall, and poster sessions, as in the past. The virtual setting also will present new opportunities for attendees, exhibitors and sponsors, including the flexibility to participate in an educational session in the morning, work in the orchard in the afternoon, and attend networking events throughout the day.
Given current restrictions on large gatherings in California and ongoing uncertainty around when such gatherings will be permitted, the Almond Board decided to halt plans to return to Cal Expo for a second year to avoid making financial commitments that could not be recouped if cancelled at a later date. Making the decision now also helps exhibitors and sponsors plan their involvement, which is critical to the success of the Conference. ABC plans to return to Sacramento in December 2021 at the new Sacramento Convention Center, set to open early next year.
“Shifting to a virtual conference was the only viable option at this time given the current uncertainty caused by the global pandemic,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board. “Going virtual will ensure we are able to gather with our friends and colleagues from around the world in a truly global event.”
The virtual setting also will allow ABC to bring in top notch speakers from any location without the time commitment required to travel and speak in person. Educational sessions will be recorded, allowing attendees from around the world to participate from any time zone on their own schedule.
Mark your calendars now for the week of December 7, with most of the content and conference offerings to be held Tuesday-Thursday, December 8-10. More details will be made available as they are finalized over the next two months.
