Last month, more than 3,900 industry members gathered in Sacramento for the 45th annual Almond Conference. The impressive crowd pushed attendance to a new record in Almond Board of California (ABC) history.
Conference attendees gathered at the Almond
Board of California booth
The three-day Conference represented all that’s new in the California Almond industry. The major theme – and the focus of the State of the Industry address – was unleashing orchard potential, doing so using three guiding principles:
- Creating demand for almonds ahead of production
- Accelerating agriculture innovation
- Transforming the consumer landscape
“We want to realize the potential of every aspect of almond farming and marketing with the increased assessment,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO, ABC.
Much of this potential can be found in the coproducts and biomass almond orchards produce in addition to the almond kernel. ABC is increasing research around coproducts to create more value for the industry with these products, embracing a zero-waste approach.
“Our orchards produce four products: kernels, hulls, shells and woody biomass,” said Waycott. “We have been focused on the kernel, and now we are going to take that approach and apply it to the coproducts.”
This year’s Almond Conference boasted 60 speakers with session topics ranging from the Food Safety Modernization Act to global marketing to pollination to irrigation management, many sharing results from Almond Board-funded research projects. Throughout the event, Pest Control Advisors and Certified Crop Consultants had the opportunity to earn 45 Continuing Education Units.
The action continued on the tradeshow floor. Conference attendees heard from more than 270 exhibitors along with presenters during several research poster sessions and talks at the main Almond Stage.
More than 3,900 people attended the 2017
Almond Conference, making it the largest
crowd in Conference history
Throughout the Conference, there were three keynote sessions, all focusing on innovation. Speakers included Daniel Lubetsky, founder and CEO of KIND Snacks, Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief of Forbes Magazine, John Haugen, Vice President/General Manager, 301 INC – Emerging Brand Elevator at General Mills and Tal Ronnen, cofounder of Kite Hill and executive chef at Crossroads.
ABC and the Almond Leadership Program again supported California FFA Foundation with a silent auction during the Conference and a live auction at the annual Gala Dinner. These two events raised more than $30,000 for college scholarships to be awarded to outstanding California FFA students. Guests at the Gala Dinner were dazzled by “The Futurist”, Adam Trent, who entertained with an extravaganza of magic, comedy and music.
In all, the 2017 Almond Conference was one for the books. In case you missed it, all Conference presentations are available at Almonds.com/ConferencePresentations. The next Almond Conference will be held Dec. 4–6, 2018.
