From Staff Reports
Organizers of Commodity Classic, one of the nation’s largest indoor farm shows, announced Thursday that the city of New Orleans has lifted its mask mandates and show attendees will not be required to wear masks indoors at the convention center or in hotels.
The 2022 Commodity Classic will be held March 10-12 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Following New Orleans guidelines, show attendees will still be required to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 or a recent negative COVID test in order to attend the trade show and events at the convention center, hotel ballrooms and meeting spaces, and to enter restaurants and bars, according to a news release. On-site rapid testing will be provided in the Lobby J area near Commodity Classic registration. Additional testing sites will be available near the convention center.
“We are excited to learn that it will be even easier for producers, exhibitors and agribusinesses to join us for our live, in-person event next week,” Gary Porter, a Missouri farmer and co-chair of the 2022 Commodity Classic, said in the release. “I encourage growers to join us for this great opportunity to network and learn from each other face-to-face for the first time in a while. It’s not too late to register and attend.”
Masks are still required for everyone ages 2 and up on public transportation, including airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, buses, taxis, rideshares and the corresponding transportation hubs in New Orleans. Masks are not required on the hotel shuttle buses for Commodity Classic.
Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience, produced annually by the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the National Sorghum Producers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
This year’s Commodity Classic will feature more than 50 educational sessions and a trade show with nearly 400 exhibitors over 200,000 square feet of exhibit space. The three-day event also includes a welcome reception, ASA and NCGA banquets and a Saturday night concert with country music entertainer Sara Evans.
More information about the show can be found at www.commodityclassic.com.