The 16th edition of Agritrade, the largest agricultural trade conference in Central America, wrapped up over the weekend to participation figures that were the highest its organizers have ever seen.“We've welcomed 4,000 visitors from all over the world,” said one of the conference organizers, Monica Figueroa. “In this 16th edition of the largest conference of its kind in Central America, we have 70 buyers from all over the world.” The event took place March 14-15 in Antigua, Guatemala.
Click here for the photo report
Click here for the photo report
Figueroa noted that there was an estimated $35 million in business conducted throughout the conference, and much more is expected to close as a result of the connections made during the event. Many of the visitors also agreed that the conference has been getting better because of the type of crowd it draws.
“I think the event has been getting better,” said Manuel Guerrero of Asthor, one of the exhibitors at this year's conference. “The quality of attendees this year, I think, is a little more interesting.”
This year's event, which was almost two years in the making, featured 39 percent more exhibitors than the event held four years ago. That growth is a point of pride for organizers, who say they plan to keep growing the event in years to come in order to remain the premier conference in the region.
“This event is a success because it's the only event of its kind in Central America,” said Figueroa. “Everyone wants to take advantage of this opportunity, and we want to keep growing it.”