[blockquote quote="We always have a wide variety of vendors that have something to offer to a broad spectrum of different commodities" source="Colin Hastings, the Pasco Chamber’s Executive Director" align="right" max_width="300px"]The Pasco Chamber of Commerce has changed the name of its popular January expo to the Eastern Washington Ag Expo.

Colin Hastings, the Pasco Chamber’s executive direction, said the rebranding of the event is to reflect its broader geographical reach that encompasses Eastern Washington.

But the name isn’t the only change being made to the expo, he added.

The expo will be larger and there will be more educational seminars and grower meetings, so agriculture leaders can share information, new products and practices with each other.

The 2016 Eastern Washington Ag Expo will be Jan. 5-6 at TRAC in Pasco. The convention and trade show will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

There will be a special luncheon Tuesday featuring a keynote by Chuck Studer, John Deere’s director of industry relations. There will also be a Rascal Rodeo from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Arena Hall.

Tuesday’s seminar line-up includes:

Farm Management

8 a.m. – noon Pesticide Recertification Spanish Session

10 – 11:30 a.m. Family Legacies Grown Locally, Baker Boyer Bank.

2 – 3 p.m. Blodgett Law

3 – 4 p.m. Sloan Leavitt Insurance

Labor & Technology

2 - 2:45 p.m. Chuck Studer of John Deere

2:45 – 3:15 p.m. Drones, Lav R. Khot of Washington State University

2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Meeting Labor Needs in Eastern Washington, Dan Fazio, WAFLA

Wednesday’s seminars include:

Transportation & Energy

9:30 – 10:15 a.m., Fuel Update, RE Powell

10:15 – 10:45 p.m. Transportation Update, BNSF

10:45 – 11:30 a.m. Port Update, Jim Kuntz, Port of Walla Walla

8 a.m. – Noon Pesticide Recertification English Session

Water & Weather

1:30 – 2 p.m. Weather Update and Forecast for Eastern Washington, NOAA

2 – 2:30 p.m. Kay Gabriel

2:30 – 3 p.m. Darryll Olsen

3 – 3:45 p.m. Panel Update including Scott Revell of the Roza Irrigation District, Chuck Freeman of Kennewick Irrigation District and more.

The expo draws a wide array of vendors, who offer a lot of giveaways and swag, as well as some larger door prizes. Last year, Les Schwab gave away a set of tires valued at $500 each day.

Hastings expects more than 100 vendors at the expo, where visitors will get a chance to see what’s new on the agriculture scene.

“We always have a wide variety of vendors that have something to offer to a broad spectrum of different commodities,” Hastings said. “And you’ll have a chance to see the newest technology.”

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For more information about the event, go to www.easternwaagexpo.com.