Industry sponsorship tops US$310,000 in support of World Potato Congress 2012

Organisers of the 2012 World Potato Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland next year have released the names of the first 13 commercial sponsors responsible for over US$230,000-worth of industry support for what promises to be a “highly successful, industry-wide event”.

Rob Clayton, director of organiser the Potato Council (GB), says another three, as yet un-named sponsors have agreed verbally to support the triennial congress, taking sponsorship raised ahead of the May 2012 event to US$310,000. Further organisations have started discussions with his sales team, he claims.

“We’re about 75% of the way towards our sponsorship target but still have opportunities for commercial organisations to become involved. The business case for sponsoring the global event is clear for companies keen to put their products and services in front of both British and international delegates,” he says. “Twenty twelve is going to be a big year for the potato industry around the world, not just because scientists have sequenced the potato genome but because environmental, food security and dietary pressures are all rising up the potato agenda as world populations increase.

“At WPC2012 we have big speakers with big opinions talking to delegates representing a big industry. We anticipate a highly successful, industry-wide event with an active take-away action plan resulting for all sectors of the industry. I’m very confident that sponsors, speakers and delegates alike will benefit from their participation in what I see as a truly unique event,” he concludes.

WPC2012 commercial sponsors that have signed contracts are: Bayer Crop Science;Albert Bartlett &Sons;Irish Potato Marketing;DuPont;Cygnet Potato Breeders;R.J. Herbert Engineering;Caithness Potato Breeders;Solana, Makhteshim Agan Industries;Transportbandenfabriek E A Broekema;Agraquest;Haith;and Odenberg.

Full details on remaining sponsorships

Source: World Potato Congress