PEI Potato Board Annual General Meeting held December 2

The theme for the Prince Edward Island Potato Board's 2011 annual general meeting is "Connecting with the consumer".

Scheduled for Dec. 2, 2011, all are invited to attend to understand the business of Prince Edward Island Potatoes. The one-day event is being held at the Delta Prince Edward in downtown Charlottetown with international speakers, luncheon sessions, awards banquet, and evening entertainment.

Board Chairman, Gary Linkletter, extends the invitation to all potato growers and industry partners.  

"We are very proud of our product, our business, and what it means to Prince Edward Island and by attending our annual general meeting, we further understand our focus as an industry. We have a great line-up of international speakers this year, as well as board staff, discussing potato consumption trends and our market outlook." 

International guests to the annual general meeting include Maureen Storey of the Alliance for Potato Research and Education. The Alliance for Potato Research &Education was formed to unite the potato industry in a quest to educate consumers and others about potatoes and French fries as an enjoyable part of a healthy and balanced diet. Storey's topic is titled "Changing the Conversation about Potatoes Served Any Day, Any Way".

From England is Caroline Evans of the British Potato Council discussing "Sustaining the Demand for Potatoes"through education and collaboration. Caroline is the head of marketing and corporate affairs for the British Potato Council.

Kendra Mills, marketing director with the PEI Potato Board, will elaborate on an in-depth study of consumers who purchase potatoes throughout our markets in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, and the Northeastern United States. Demographics aside, you might be interested to know what consumers think about P.E.I. potatoes.

Many other speakers will discuss the business of potatoes and to end the day, a banquet featuring industry awards and entertainment by comedian, Francois Weber will top off the full day's schedule with laughs and fun to celebrate a year of hard work.