Show hits consistent stride with event being the second largest in event’s 17-year history
By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater
For two years running, Potato Expo has broken attendance records, with the 2025 event, January 9-10, in Orlando, Florida, attracting more than 200 exhibitors and 2,170 attendees, making it the second largest in the show’s 17-year history. Potato Expo 2024 broke all attendance records in Austin, Texas.
Originally scheduled for Las Vegas, when the contracted hotel in Nevada went under construction, the National Potato Council, which plans the event each year, pivoted, and with just under a year to prepare, landed the Orlando World Center Marriott to play host in 2025.
Potato Expo is the largest conference and trade show for the potato industry in North America, bringing together U.S. and international growers, manufacturers, suppliers, industry experts, and value chain partners all under one roof.
The industry throws its full weight behind the show, with Potatoes USA holding its Winter Meeting in conjunction with Potato Expo, in the same venue and for three days leading up to the event.
Affiliated business gatherings include the National Fry Processing Meeting, Potato Sustainability Alliance General Meeting, the Alliance for Potato Research & Education (APRE) Board Meeting, and the National Chip Program Grower Meeting.
Providing full Potatoes USA reports during the Winter Meeting are the Consumer; Retail; Market Development/Foodservice; Culinary; Finance & Policy; Production Research; Communications; and Nutrition & Health committees; as well as the Seed Task Force.
Potatoes USA Chief Marketing Officer Kim Breshears said global demand for potatoes is expected to remain strong in 2025 and beyond, with a shifting dietary focus toward convenient, ready-to-eat foods due to urbanization and population growth.
Thanks to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) grants, Potatoes USA has funding to explore export markets and expansion opportunities. One grant alone was for $6,500,000.
