Building For The Future

Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Annual Meeting And Trade Show Set For April 4-5 in Lubbock.

We have seen significant growth in Texas cotton production the past several years that has contributed to the building of several new gins and the expansion of existing gin plants.

I believe this growth and increased ginning capacity means Texas will be a major player in providing quality cotton for domestic and foreign textile mills for decades to come.

On the production side, even with the challenges cotton farmers faced last year, an estimated 6.9 million bales are expected to top off 2018, resulting in another good year overall.

As TCGA President Larry Black says, “The growth of the cotton industry in Texas has been exciting to watch and be a part of.”

Production, Ginning Boom

The theme for this year’s Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show is“Texas Cotton: Building for the Future.” We thought it was appropriate to recognize that Texas truly is building for our future as a major force in the world cotton market.

The TCGA Trade Show provides a great opportunity to keep these progressive wheels in motion. It is one of the country’s largest gatherings of cotton gin equipment manufacturers and other businesses that provide equipment, parts or services to the ginning industry. Visitors from all over the Cotton Belt and around the world attend the event each year.

They come to learn about the latest developments in cotton ginning and to purchase equipment or services they need at their facilities.

Full-time gin employees can gain additional knowledge — especially regarding safety — and see the latest industry developments by attending the Southwest Ginners School, April 1-3. Many gin managers allow their employees to go to the school and then attend the show at the end of the week.

Variety Of Events

Before the Annual Meeting and Trade Show kicks off, TCGA will host its annual golf tournament at Meadowbrook Golf Course on Wednesday, April 3. The show doors officially open at 9 a.m., Thursday, April 4, at the Lubbock Civic Center where more than 130 exhibitors will be on hand to inform you about their products or services. The day concludes with the “Taste of Lubbock Party” that is open to all show attendees.

On Friday, show hours are from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During this time, Plains Cotton Growers Inc. also will hold its annual meeting from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Civic Center Banquet Hall. The day ends with TCGA’s Awards Dinner and Vegas Night Celebration at the Overton Hotel.

Tickets for the Awards Dinner may be purchased at the show registration booth. Everyone is invited to the Vegas Night Celebration, and no ticket is required. For more information, visit our website at www.tcga.org.

See you in Lubbock!

Contact Tony Williams at tony@tcga.org or 512-476-8388.