The Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association extends to you an invitation to join us at our 108th Annual Meeting and Trade Show in Lubbock, Texas, on April 9-10.
Our theme for this year’s event is “Full Speed Ahead” as we move forward in 2015, which is setting up to be a promising year for the Texas cotton industry.
Our show is the largest gathering of cotton gin equipment manufacturers and other businesses who provide parts or services to the ginning industry. We have visitors each year from the U.S. Cotton Belt and around the world who attend to learn about the latest developments in cotton ginning and to make purchases of equipment or services they need at their gin.
2015 is shaping up to be the most promising year for the Texas cotton industry since the drought started in 2011. Many cotton-growing regions in the state have been receiving good moisture and are poised to have a great start in the production year.
Excellent Outlook In 2015
Texas ginners see the opportunity for a bountiful harvest in the near future and are preparing for what could be record runs for many of them. The last few years were challenging for Texas ginners and other industry businesses, but they have persisted and made the choices that will allow them to benefit from what we see coming.
The week starts with the Southwest Ginners School, which is conducted at the USDA-ARS Cotton Ginning Laboratory in Lubbock. This school is a collaborative effort of the National Cotton Ginners’ Association, USDAARS, regional ginner associations and gin equipment manufacturers and industry suppliers.
Many years ago, we moved the school to just ahead of the trade show, so that gin employees could attend both events. This creates a great opportunity to give your full-time employees additional ginning knowledge and for them to see the latest industry developments.
On Wednesday, we have TCGA’s annual golf tournament at Meadowbrook Golf Course, and, depending on the weather, we can have upwards of 300 golfers. The reports we hear are that it’s a relaxed event where you can see friends and have fun.
The trade show starts at 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, and is conducted at the Lubbock Civic Center where more than 130 exhibitors will be eager to inform you about their products or services.
The day’s show will conclude with the “Taste of Lubbock” event where you can enjoy food, drink and time to catch up with friends.
Show hours on Friday are from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and during this time Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. has its Annual Meeting, which always includes informative speakers. The day concludes with TCGA’s Awards Dinner and Casino Night at the Overton Hotel. We always look forward to Saturday and the return trip back to our homes.
So, join us in Lubbock in April where we are eager to meet new friends. For more information about the show, visit our website at www.tcga.org. See you soon.
Contact Tony Williams via email at tony@tcga.org or call the TCGA office in Austin, Texas, at (512) 476-8388.