Vendor Registration - 2025 Great Plains Growers Conference

Horticulture suppliers to specialty crop growers will want to exhibit their products and services at the 2025 Great Plains Growers Conference. This 2-day conference attracts 350-400 vegetable, fruit, cut flower and other specialty crop growers from Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Missouri and Nebraska each year. The conference audience are full and part time farm market and diversified horticulture producers.+

Concurrent educational program tracks are offered throughout the conference addressing the following topics.

• Business Development/Marketing
• Tree Fruits
• Small Fruits
• Organic/Regenerative Agriculture
• Vegetable Production
• Protected Culture/Tunnels
• Integrated Pest Management
• SARE Farmer Forum
• Forest Farming
• Greenhouse/Hydroponics
• Cut Flowers

We hope you will consider being with us and sharing with our growers. An active and diverse trade show not only expands interest in this conference, but supplies a valuable service to growers as they plan for their upcoming season!

Conference Website

Program Schedule

Friday, January 10

• 8:00 am - 9:00 am Registration & Trade Show
• 9:00-10:30am Keynote Speaker
• 10:30-11:00am Break and Tradeshow
• 12:00-1:30 Lunch and Tradeshow
• 11:00am - 5:00pm General Session
• 3:00-3:30pm Break and Tradeshow
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Growers Association Meetings
• 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Pizza Party & Grower Innovation Hour of Fun (On campus)

Saturday, January 11

• 8:00am - 9:00am Registration & Trade Show
• 9:00am - 3:00pm General Session
• 10:00am -10:30am Break and Tradeshow
• 12:30pm -1:30pm Lunch & Tradeshow
• 3:00 pm Exhibitors tear down

Exhibit Hours

• January 9 (Thu) 1pm – 7pm (We encourage exhibitors to set-up during this time.)
• January 10 (Fri) 7:00am – 6pm (Set-up avail. 7am, tradeshow opens 8:00am)
• January 12 (Sat) 8:00am - 3:00pm (Take down can begin following lunch on Saturday.) * Saturday, January 12th the general public will have access to attend the tradeshow

Exhibitor Cost - includes lunch and registration for 2 representatives per day

• 1st booth - $450
• Addt'l booth - $350
• Outside booth for x-large equipment - $325
• Addt'l attendees in booth - $70
• Table Top display - $175

Exhibitor space is available on a first come-first serve basis. Each exhibitor will be provided one (1) six foot table and two chairs in an 8' x 10' booth space. Electrical service and wireless internet is available.

Tabletop displays are 3' x 3' areas to display catalogs or brochures to promote your product/service. Tabletops may not be manned by a company representative. Send your tabletop material by December 1, 2025 to:

Buchanan County Extension Office Attn: Denice Ferguson

4125 Mitchell Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64506

A sidewalk ramp to a set of double doors and also an outside entrance directly into the exhibitor hall is available to assist with getting your booth/display into the building. The direct outside entrance has a set of steps to go up; however, trucks will be able to back up to the dock, lift the equipment/materials up approximately 3 feet, and wheel directly in through a set of double doors. Wireless internet is also available in the building. Questions concerning the facility should be directed to Tom Fowler, (816)383-0495 or Kathi Mecham [email protected].

FAQs

Are sponsorship opportunities available? Yes, several options are available and can be selected at check out.

• Conference Sponsor $2,750
• Keynote Sponsor $1,750
• Lunch Sponsor $1,000
• Grower Innovation Night Sponsor $750
• Track Sponsor $400
• Break Sponsor $300

How can I contact the Trade Show organizer with any questions?

Contact Kathi Mecham (660)542-1792, or Tom Fowler(816) 383-0495 or visit the conference website for more information.

What is the reservation deadline?

Exhibit space will be assigned in order of receipt of payment until December 1, 2024. Vendor registrations received after December 11, 2024 will be assigned on a space-available basis and the vendor should reach out directly to Kathi Mecham (660)542-1792, or Tom Fowler(816) 383-0495 to confirm space availability.

What's the refund policy?

Conference exhibitors can receive a full refund for cancellation prior to December 1, 2024. If circumstances arise causing the need to cancel after the December 1st deadline the vendor should reach out directly to Kathi Mecham (660)542-1792, or Tom Fowler(816) 383-0495 to discuss each situation individually for an acceptable resolution.

What are my parking options?

Free parking is available on the Missouri Western State University campus, with parking lots located adjacent to the Fulkerson Center on the east and south sides of the building.

What is the conference security and liability policy?

Normal security provisions will be in effect. University Extension and/or Missouri Western State University will not be liable for theft and will not assume any liability, legal or otherwise, for accidents of any nature. If there are issues with security or access to the building, contact MWSU campus police, 816-271-4438.

What's are the conference hotels?

Stoney Creek Inn 816-901-9600; Drury Inn 816-364-4700; ​Fairfield Inn 816-232-2700. Visit the conference website's lodging page for more information and details.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive, Saint Joseph, United States