Vendor/Trade Show Registration - 2026 Great Plains Growers Conference

Showcase Your Products at the 2026 Great Plains Growers Conference!

Join us for the upcoming Great Plains Growers Conference, a leading regional event dedicated to the vibrant and ever-evolving produce and specialty crop industry. We’re inviting innovative vendors to participate—those who provide products, services, or solutions tailored to the unique needs of specialty crop growers, producers, and distributors.

This dynamic trade show is your opportunity to connect with a diverse audience engaged in everything from sustainable agriculture and organic production to niche markets such as berries, herbs, cut flowers, and more. With attendees ranging from small-scale farm market growers to larger diversified horticulture operations, you'll find ample opportunities for meaningful networking and impactful business connections.

As a vendor, you’ll gain direct exposure to 350–400 growers from across Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota — including full-time and part-time producers looking for new tools, ideas, and innovations to elevate their operations. Whether you offer equipment, technology, inputs, packaging, or professional services, your solutions could be just what our attendees are looking for.

Don’t miss this chance to:

• Build visibility in a targeted and engaged market
• Connect with decision-makers in the specialty crop industry
• Showcase your latest products and services
• Be part of a thriving regional hub for innovation and sustainable growth
• Hosted by a multi-state univeristy level cohort

Secure your vendor spot today and be part of a conference that continues to grow and inspire the Midwest's fruit, vegetable and specialty crop community!

Programs offered in 2026: Concurrent educational program tracks are offered throughout the conference addressing the following topics.

• Tree Fruits
• Small Fruits
• Business Management & Marketing
• SARE Farmer Forum
• Vegetable Production
• Diversified Ag Equipment
• Integrated Pest Management
• Protected Culture
• Cut Flowers
• Organic/Regenerative Ag

Plus 3 pre-conference workshops: FSMA Produce Food Safety, CSA, Integrated Ag - Bees, Poultry, Ruminants

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 - under construction

The trade show is located in the Fulkerson Room with the Fulkerson Conference Center, a large event venue space with a separate Vendor Hospitality Room for refreshmants and breaks dedicated to vendors only.

Program Schedule -

Friday, January 9

• 7:30-8:00 am Registration & Trade Show
• 8:00-9:15 am Keynote Speaker
• 9:15-9:45 am Break and Trade Show
• 9:45-12:10 pm Educational Tracks
• 12:15-1:45 pm Lunch, Trade Show, Poster Session
• 1:45-3:20 pm Educational Tracks
• 3:25-3:55 pm Break and Trade Show
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Farmer Networking Session (in Fulkerson)
• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Growers Association Meetings
• 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Pizza Party & Grower Innovation Hour of Fun (in Fulkerson)

Saturday, January 10

• 8:00 - 9:00 am Registration & Trade Show
• 9:00 - 10:35 am Educational Tracks
• 10:40 -11:10am Break and Trade Show
• 11:15 - 12:00pm Educational Tracks
• 12:00 -1:30pm Lunch & Trade Show
• 1:35-3:10 pm Educational Tracks
• 3:10 pm Conference Adjourns

Exhibit/Set-Up Hours

• January 8 (Thu) 1pm – 7pm (We encourage exhibitors to set-up during this time.)
• January 9 (Fri) 8:00am – 6pm (Set-up 7:00am, tradeshow opens 8:00am)
• January 10 (Sat) 8:00am - 3:10pm (Take down can begin following lunch on Saturday)

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

Early Bird Discount - $50 OFF offer ends Mon., Nov. 17th

• 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 15, 2025 to to address below:

Buchanan County Extension Office

Attn: Great Plains Growers Conference

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] or Gwen Funk, [email protected].

FAQs

Are sponsorship opportunities available? Yes, several options are available and can be selected at check out. See our conference website for more details on what benefits are included with each level.

• Conference Sponsor $2,750 Recognition during conference welcome and keynote address. Recognition and advertisement on conference Facebook page and conference website. Recognition during all track session welcomes. Recognition in all conference attendee bags. Digital ad displayed throughout tradeshow on 4 projection screens.

• Keynote Sponsor $1,750 Recognition and advertisement on conference Facebook page and website. Logo on screen prior to keynote. Digital ad displayed throughout tradeshow on projection screens. Introduction on stage of sponsor and opportunity to introduce keynote. Digital ad displayed throughout tradeshow on 4 projection screens

• Lunch Sponsor $1,000 Logo and welcome message at entrance to lunch area. Recognition on each table during lunch and speaking opportunity during lunch. Digital ad displayed throughout tradeshow on projection screens.
• Grower Innovation Night Sponsor $750 Logo and welcome message at Grower Innovation Night entrance, speaking time. Recognition and advertisement on conference Facebook page. Digital ad displayed throughout tradeshow on projection screens.
• Track Sponsor $400 Logo displayed outside room and posted on-screen between sessions. Digital ad displayed throughout tradeshow on projection screens.
• Break Sponsor $300 Logo and company name displayed during a break on refreshment table.

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

Contact Kathi Mecham (660)542-1792, or Tom Fowler(816) 383-0495, or Gwen Funk (816) 279-1691.

What is the reservation deadline?

Exhibit space will be assigned in order of receipt of payment until Novemver 17, 2025. Vendor registrations received after this date will be assigned based on available space, furthermore vendors registering after this date will not be included in the Vendor Flier distributed to attendees due to printing deadlines.

What's the refund policy?

Conference exhibitors can receive a full refund for cancellation prior to December 17, 2025. If circumstances arise causing the need to cancel after the 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; ​Other St. Joseph lodging options https://stjomo.com/category/directory/hotels-and-motels/

https://stjomo.com/escape/

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