The 2017 edition of Potato Europe in the Dutch city, Emmeloord, was not its problems. Weather conditions were so bad that the show was cancelled on Wednesday 13 September. A day later, despite less than optimal weather conditions, Europe Potato went ahead. Boots were the order of the day to be able to walk out in the mud and around the puddles. This did not, however, deter visitors from coming to the fair. On one day, 10 000 people visited Potato Europe. The previous show had 12 500 visitors over two days. Organisers are pleased with the number.
Weather conditions
Palien Hoftijzer is responsible for the organisation of the event. While the weather did not play along, she reflects back on a successful edition. "This edition was wet, but we are also very pleased that we could go through with the show on the second day", says the conference and exhibition manager. "It was simply not a option to be open on the first day. On Wednesday, we had to park a tractor in a tent to prevent it from blowing away. Fortunately, there is minimal damage to the tents. One does not even want to contemplate the possibility of visitors being injured. We are happy with the numbers of visitors we received, despite the bad weather."
Worldwide
There were fewer stands at the 2017 trade fair than the previous year. In Emmeloord, there were a total of 272 stands, within a big tent as well as smaller ones outside. There were 300 at the previous edition. A number of international exhibitors had already packed up and left for home on Thursday. There were exhibitors from 16 different countries. Most were companies from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, but countries like Peru, Canada and the United States also came to introduce themselves to the public.
Students
A special programme, aimed at bringing the potato world to the attention of students, was compiled for this year's show. During Potato Europe, students got to see the whole chain of the potato process. "From potato seeds to the preservation and from processing to packaging", says the woman behind Potato Europe 2017. "We want to introduce students to the world of potatoes", she says. "Via technological possibilities, such as a journey from the potato fields to the supermarket, and everything in between, we want to get the youth interested in this sector. In this way we try and shine the spotlight on potatoes."
Source: www.agf.nl