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Potato LEAF @ Potato Expo 2024:
Interested in supporting Potato LEAF goals and programming? Look into bidding on one of our auction items - from expo suite upgrades to beach getaways, there's something for everyone!
Join other graduates to share experiences, meet members of the 2023 class, and continue building your network with PILI graduates.
Know someone you think should participate in the leadership institute? Bring them along to meet your classmates.
Did you think we would miss the opportunity for growth and learning while at Potato Expo? Join us for various Potato LEAF educational sessions focused on leadership and personal development!
Whether you're looking for a place to rest your feet or catch up with an old friend, our meet-up lounge is the perfect place for you.
For alumni of the Potato Industry Leadership Institute, meet up with others from your class.
Leadership Institute Alumni Reception
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
6:00-7:00pm
Hilton Austin, Executive Lounge on the 25th Floor
Join other graduates to share experiences, meet members of the 2024 class, and continue building your network with other Leadership Institute alumni.
Potato LEAF Live Auction
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Starting at 5:30pm
Expo Stage, Expo Hall
Interested in supporting Potato LEAF goals and programming? Look into bidding on one of our auction items - from expo suite upgrades to beach getaways, there's something for everyone!
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorships are available at the following levels for the Potato LEAF 5k Fun Run.
Download the PDF file below or complete the online form.
Presenting Sponsorship: $5,000+
- Large prominent logo and company name prominently on t-shirt*.
- Prominent recognition on promotional materials including e-blast, banners, posters, and race website.
- Link to sponsor's website.
- Inclusion of in-kind products in registration packets**.
Headlining Sponsorship: $2,500-4,999
- Large logo and company name featured on t-shirt*.
- Major recognition on promotional materials including e-blast, banners, posters and race website.
- Link to sponsor's website.
- Inclusion of in-kind products in registration packets**.
Sprinting Sponsorship: $1,000-2,499
- Logo and company name featured on t-shirt*.
- Recognition on promotional materials including e-blast, banners, posters, and race website.
- Link to sponsor's website.
- Inclusion of in-kind products in registration packets**.
Jogging Sponsorship: $500-999
- Company name on t-shirt.
- Recognition on promotional materials including e-blast, banners, posters, and race website.
- Link to sponsor's website.
- Inclusion of in-kind products in registration packets**.
Walking Sponsorship: $50-499
- Recognition on race website.
- Link to sponsor's website.
- Inclusion of in-kind products in registration packets**.
Important Notes
* Upload a company logo (.jpg, .tif, or .png format) by Dec. 6, 2024.
** 225 items need to be shipped and received by Dec. 20, 2024.
2024 Program Photos
Leadership Institute Meet-Up
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
At the Beer Garden (3rd Floor Conference Center Pre-function)
8:00-10:00pm
Join other graduates from both the Leadership Institute and Leadership in the Field programs to share experiences, meet members of the 2026 class, and continue building your network with other alumni.
Leadership-Based Educational Sessions
Potato LEAF is proud to provide leadership-based educational content at Potato Expo 2026.
Potato LEAF Live Auction
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Starting at 4:30pm
Expo Stage, Expo Hall
Interested in supporting Potato LEAF goals and programming?
We are currently seeking donations of auction items.
2027 Auction Items
10-Night Stay at Château de La Rametière France
Donated by Jason Davenport and Blair & Marti Richardson
Enjoy a peaceful escape to Château de La Rametière, an elegant 18th-century French château set on a 14-hectare estate in Plomb, France—just a short drive from the iconic Mont Saint-Michel Bay in Normandy.
The winner of this stay will receive 10 room nights in the château, which features 5 available King and Junior suites and a 3-bedroom private apartment, combining classic charm with modern comfort. Each room includes a bottle of champagne or estate cider, and daily breakfast is provided to start each day on a relaxing note.
Located in the scenic Lower Normandy region near Brittany and the Couesnon River, the château is about a 3-hour drive from Paris Airport—with a rental car being the most convenient way to reach the property. Nearby attractions include Mont Saint-Michel (20 miles), Omaha Beach (60 miles), and the towns of Granville, Fougères, Saint Malo, and Avranches.
This stay can be booked anytime between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027. Guests visiting in late October will have the opportunity to take part in the apple harvest on the estate—a seasonal highlight that adds a unique touch to the experience.
Impact Recording Device (IRD)
Donated by Techmark
Techmark's IRD, for over 35 years, has been the global industry standard in identifying and reducing damage-causing impacts in your potato handling systems. The IRD, unlike other products, measures not only the Force of Impact but the Time Duration to create a complete picture of damage potential from impacts. Used by potato industry growers, scientists, processors and equipment manufacturers the IRD is the preferred choice in bruise evaluations for your handling systems.
The IRD Kit with Tablet includes everything needed to use the device. It is custom-built based on the profile of your crop, including size and color combinations. Shipping is included.
Full-day Strengths-Based Leadership Session
Donated by Mike Wenkel and Potato LEAF
Discover the power of developing your team’s talents through this full-day educational session centered around Gallup’s CliftonStrengths® assessment with an emphasis on both the individual’s and the team’s strengths.
The package includes the CliftonStrengths 34 Assessment for 10 individuals (additional assessments can be purchased) and an in-person full-day session with Mike Wenkel, CAE, a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, at an agreed-upon date and location.
ZIMMATIC™ 9500P Center Pivot with 700C FIELDNET™-Ready Control Panel
Donated by the Lindsay™ Corporation
The 9500P center pivot is flexible enough to handle any field
and strong enough to take on the toughest environments and
terrain. It is the most durable and reliable member of the
Zimmatic pivot offering. Engineered for the toughest terrains,
longest systems, and applications requiring the strongest
pivot point and pipeline structure.
This package includes:
- Zimmatic 9500P Center Pivot
- Heavy Duty Pivot Point
- 700C FieldNET-Ready Control Panel
- 12.4” x 38” Non-Directional Radial Tires
- 179’ Span with a 44’ over-hang
- Includes freight to the bidder's location
Additionally, if the winning bidder would like to add spans to make the
pivot fit a larger field we will provide additional spans at a 50% discount with freight included.
Potato Expo 2027 VIP Experience Package
Donated by the National Potato Council and Potatoes USA
This package will make your return visit to the Potato Expo 2027 bigger and better with this Enhanced VIP Experience.
Beyond the networking, connecting, and growth in knowledge and experience, you will be treated as a VIP during your stay.
Experience includes the following:
- Two (2) Potato Expo 2027 All-Access Passes
- Up to six (6) nights in a Presidential Suite at the Gaylord Rockies (Jan. 3-9, 2027)Two round-trip main cabin tickets within the continental US on Southwest, Delta or United Airlines to the Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Round-trip ground transportation
SR100 Big Gun®Sprinkler–18°x2” FNPT & Nozzles
Donated by Nelson Irrigation Corporation
The winning bidder will be able to add the 100 Series Big Gun® sprinkler and three nozzles to their irrigation equipment.
The 100 Series Big Gun® sprinkler is the classic high-volume sprinkler -- dominating the pivot end gun market for years. It's also a perfect fit for permanent and portable set irrigation systems.
VIP Seating Area at the “It’s a Wrap-Up Party”
Donated by the National Potato Council
Experience the ultimate view of the action!
You and up to 23 guests will enjoy a reserved VIP seating area on the Glass Cactus balcony, offering an exceptional vantage point for the immersive, interactive performance by B♭ Dueling Pianos.
You’ll also have a dedicated attendant to provide personalized service for you and your guests throughout the evening. This exclusive space will be yours during the “It’s a Wrap-Up Party” on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 8–10 PM.
Senninger® Filter Regulators - 100 Units
Donated by Hunter Agricultural Irrigation
The Senninger® Filter Regulator combines filtration and pressure regulation into one device for installation convenience. Senninger® black and white pressure regulators are well known for their precision, sturdiness, and capacity to maintain constant outlet pressure despite changes in inlet pressure. Combining that performance with reduced nozzle clogging on the first few spans, where smaller-sized nozzles are used, provides overall irrigation efficiency of pivot irrigation systems.
• Quality field-proven PSR™2 internal components
• Four pressure models available: 6, 10, 15, and 20 psi
• 30 mesh screen model
• Convenient installation above the pivot sprinkler
• Easy access to mesh screens with a twist of the bonnet; no tools required; no need to dismantle the pivot drop assembly
Ultimate Bass Fishing Experience with Pro Angler Jonathon VanDam
Donated by Sklarczyk Seed Farm
Get ready for an unforgettable day on the water with one of the biggest names in bass fishing—Jonathan VanDam (JVD)! The winning bidder and a guest will join this two-time tour-level champion for an exclusive full day fishing adventure on either Lake St. Clair or the Detroit River, two of the most legendary smallmouth bass hotspots in the country.
But that’s just the beginning…
You’ll also receive two Daiwa Kage rods and reels, plus a bundle of top-tier bass fishing tackle to keep the action going long after your trip ends and one night lodging at the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit.
With 22 Top 10 finishes and over $800,000 in tournament winnings, JVD has spent the last 15 years competing at the highest level of tournament bass fishing—and now you get to fish alongside him!
This once-in-a-lifetime experience is scheduled for one of the following dates: July 19, 20, 26 or 27, perfectly timed with the NPC and Potatoes USA Summer Meetings in Detroit. Need a different date? No problem—alternate arrangements can be made based on JVD’s availability.
ICON+ Control Panel
Donated by Valley Irrigation
Built for farmers who need simplicity with essential functionality. Bring your entire fleet of pivots, any brand, into one connected, easy-to-manage platform. The new Valley ICON+ smart panel delivers the essential control features you need at the pivot point, plus advanced remote capabilities through AgSense 365. ICON+ makes smart irrigation simple, reliable, and accessible in a cost-effective way—without the complexity of a full panel upgrade.
Key Features Include:
- Built in AgSense 365 remote monitoring and control
- 7-inch full-color touchscreen for simple in-field control
- Adds remote pivot direction control without requiring the installation of Auto Reverse/Auto Stop (AR/AS) kit in host panel
- Comes standard with Valley GPS and pressure transducer
- Compatible with Crop Link® and Pump Command® for remote pump management
- Works with existing panels, no full replacement needed
- GPS-ready and VRI (Variable Rate Irrigation) capable
APEX Maricopa Motor Club Experience
Donated by the McGovern Family
Rev up for an unforgettable day at Arizona’s most exclusive private racetrack! The winning bidder and guest will enjoy VIP access to APEX Motor Club, accompanied by Keith McGovern. This elite experience includes professional driver coaching, exhilarating laps in high-performance vehicles, and the camaraderie of fellow auto enthusiasts—all in a setting reserved for the most passionate motorsport fans.
The experience includes:
• Two nights lodging in a private suite at the McGovern private residence or the Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley, AZ
• A full day at the track including lead-follow laps in a performance Lexus vehicle and a hot lap in a Radical SR3 XXR
• Dinner both nights at one of Scottsdale’s finest restaurants
This one-of-a-kind package is not available for purchase and must be redeemed by November 15, 2026. Dates will be arranged based on availability.