NC Strawberry Association

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2012 Southeast Strawberry Expo 

The 2012 Southeast Strawberry Expo will be held Wednesday, November 7 through Saturday, November 10 at the Charlotte Hilton University Place, in Charlotte, NC. The Expo is the Southeast's premier strawberry growers gathering and a great source of crucial information. 

Updates and Announcements

• Rooms at the Hilton are no longer available at our group price.  "Other Nearby Hotels" below.
• Buses for the Farm Tour are full. Some people who have registered already, and any late registrants, will be asked to carpool.
• The Getting Started in Plasticulture Workshop is full. Others still have some spaces available. If interested, please call.
• Walk-in registrations are welcome. However, if possible, please call, email, or fax in your registration (through Nov. 6).
• An evening discussion on Plant Supply Issues has been added for Friday Nov. 9 at 7:30.
• Deadline for Respirator Testing sign up was Nov. 2, however special arrangements may be possible. Call andfind out

Register for the Expo Now!

• REGISTER ON-LINE Online registration closes midnight, Nov. 5.
  
• Expo Registration Brochure pdf  (full info AND registration form to view and/or print)
• Registration Form only as pdf file  Just the form-- to print and mail or fax

Other Important Files, Links, and Updates

• List of Expo Exhibitors and Sponsors
• List of Expo Presenters
• Schedule at a Glance
• Information on Respirator Testing at the Expo
• Exhibitor/Sponsor Information and Registration Form
• The Extension Scholarships are now closed.

Special Events You Can SIgn Up For

• Sign up for an informal "Dutch Treat Dinner" with other Expo participants at the Firewater restaurant, a "casual fine dining" restaurant within walking distance of the hotel, or enjoy dinner on your own. Just email to be added to the list for this group reservation.
• Interested in a tour of the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 10? There are one hour and two-hour versions. Information about the Speedway tours will be available at the registration desk.

Sharing Events-  Please email us to let us know you are bringing something-- it really helps advance planning!

• "Grower-Made" show-and-tell. Do you have a tool, equpment modification, etc. for production or marketing that other growers might be intereste in? Perhaps a clever picking container, planting tool, sprayer shield, etc?  Please plan to bring it (if small) or photos (print or to project). 
• Strawberry Jam/Preserves Contest. Bring a jar or two of your home-made strawberry jam/preserves for this contest. Prizes to the winner(s)!
• Wine-tasting. If you make your own wine, or have someone make wine from your fruit, bring a bottle to share in the hospitality room.
• Scholarship auction. We're especially looking for strawberry-themed objects, art, and crafts, and offers for getaways and adventures-- everyone needs a break, but welcome any and all contributions of items or services. 
• Want to set up an evening discussion on a topic you and other growers would be interested in  durng the Hospitality Room? Tell us the topic and we'll publicize it.

Other Nearby Hotels

• Courtyard Charlotte University Research Park -- 333 West W T Harris Boulevard, Charlotte   704-549-4888

• Drury Inn & Suites North - Charlotte -- 415 West W T Harris Boulevard, Charlotte    : 704-593-0700

• Holiday Inn Charlotte University -- 8520 University Executive Park Drive, Charlotte     : 704-547-0999

Basic Schedule & Program Information

Also see the Schedule at a Glance.

Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 7: Workshops (1 pm -5:00 pm at the Hilton for all but Food Safety; which takes place on a nearby farm, 2:00-4:30 pm).  Registration for all workshops is limited; sign up early.

• Strawberry Plasticulture for New Growers. This workshop is oriented to new growers, prospective growers, growers in their first year or two of production, or any grower who wants a "refresher" in the basics. It will be lead by James Kenan, Greensboro, NC and Mitchell Wrenn, Zebulon, NC, both very experienced growers, and NCSU strawberry breeder Jeremy Pattison, who is based at the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis, but also has worked in Virginia. Expect a practical, informal session with lots of time for questions and discussion.
• Social Media for Beginners This hands-on workshop will help you learn how to FaceBook, Twitter, and other related tools to promote your farm. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop, tablet computer, or smartphone with them;  some computers will be available for those who can't bring one. Some basic familiarity with your computer and an email account is assumed.  Attendance will be strictly limited to assure personalized, hands-on attention.
• Get the Picture -- and Use It.  How to take effective photos and videos and share them with your customers through YouTube and other internet tools. Participants will bring their cameras, take pictures, and learn from them during the workshop. Attendance limited.
• Food Safety Risk Identification:  Identifying your farm?s food safety and other risk areas and developing a plan to deal with them.  This hands-on workshop will take place at a nearby farm -- M&M Farms in Union County. Participants will discuss that farm in relation to their own farm and discuss management options. Clipboards and sharp pencils provided! Drive directly to the farm (directions will be provided) or carpool from the hotel.

Thursday, Nov. 8: Farm Tour New this year is a full-day tour! (Buses leave the hotel at 8:00 am, return approximately 9:00 pm.)The tour will visit the Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury and three farms, Patterson Farm, Hall Family Farm, and Springs Farm. Travel by our charter buses is encouraged -- it is safer and more relaxing, allows opportunity for conversation, and also often includes presentations en route or upon arrival that car travelers may miss. For those who choose to travel by car, maps will be provided.

• Thursday evening, Nov. 8: Farm Tour Dinner (5:30-8:00 approximately)The farm tour dinner will take place at the Springs Farm Dairy Barn and feature good Southern BBQ from local J & K BBQ and Springs Farm's own ice cream. We will learn about the history and development of this 200-year-old farm and have fun with a live auction to benefit the NCSA Scholarship Fund.   

Friday, Nov. 9: Educational Sessions and Trade Show
The trade show opens at 7:00 am, with coffee and continental breakfast in the trade show area. Educational sessions start at 8:30 am with a "Grower Spotlight" speaker. For the rest of the day, three tracks of concurrent breakout sessions are offered. Lunch is included in all registrations.

• Sign up for an informal "Dutch Treat Dinner" with other Expo participants at the Firewater restaurant, a "casual fine dining" restaurant within walking distance of the hotel, or enjoy dinner on your own. Just email to be added to the list.

Saturday, Nov. 10: Educational Sessions and Trade Show
The trade show opens at 7:00 am, with coffee and continental breakfast in the trade show area. Educational sessions start at 8:00 am with a "Grower Spotlight" speaker and a presentation by Dr. Natalia Peres, University of Florida plant pathologist.  The conference continues until approximately 12:30, with three tracks of concurrent breakout sessions.  Afternoon opportunities on your own include a visit to the nearby Charlotte Motor Speedway. Email us if you'd like more info about the Speedway tour.

For more information: Call 919-542-4037 or email the NC Strawberry Association. Registration materials and online registration will be available soon! Exhibitor inquiries are welcome.