More than 830 American pistachio growers, processors and industry friends reunited at the Hotel Del for the 2014 American Pistachio Growers Industry Annual Conference. Held at the famous Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado, the three-day event was star powered with commanding speakers, celebrities, chefs and an APG star-studded gala. The legendary beachfront luxury hotel was the perfect setting for the industry’s seventh annual gathering. This special edition of eNews features a gallery of photos from APG’s annual conference. To view the complete gallery, click here.
The PAC Golf Tournament kicked-off the Annual Conference with a 7:30 am shotgun start. The golf tournament, which benefits the Pistachio PAC, has been a popular event attracting nearly 100 golfers every year. For the second consecutive year, more than $100,000 was raised.
Tuesday’s program began with a warm welcome from the Annual Conference Committee Chair Jimi Valov, and opening remarks from APG Chairman Jim Zion. Executive Director Richard Matoian provided an informative overview of the pistachio industry, and Global Marketing Director Judy Hirigoyen gave a tour of APG programs in key markets around the world, highlighted American Pistachio Growers’ Ambassadors with a guest appearance by APG Ambassador Miss California Crystal Lee, and presented our plans for 2014. Keynote speaker, former CEO of Southwest and Braniff Airlines, Howard Putnam shared some turbulent times that occurred during his distinguished business career, and how he not only survived, but thrived by taking advantage of the opportunities for change and transformation that those times offered. Guest speaker Trent Dilfer, an ESPN analyst, Super Bowl champion and former Fresno State quarterback opened Wednesday’s program with stories about his personal journey from college through his NFL career.
To help celebrate our new APG Store’s grand opening at the conference, APG members took to the runway to model our new line of branded clothing. They donned everything from fashionable jackets, vests and trendy hoodies to stylish shirts, tops, tees, hats, caps and much more. APG’s new online store offers a wide selection of APG branded clothing and accessories to show off your industry pride. All merchandise can be ordered with APG logos including: American Pistachio Growers, The “Power of Pistachios,” California, Arizona and New Mexico origin logos and our popular American Pistachio mascot image. To start your shopping spree, click on the APG Store banner below.
Once again top chefs competed in the ultimate culinary challenge – APG’s Chef Challenge III. Live lobsters and 32-pound halibuts, flown in from Alaska, were the secret ingredients to the creative dishes served up for the APG judges (Moji Amin, Dottie Dille, Jeff Gibbons, Rudy Hernandez, Larry Lowder, Gary Robinson, Jacob Sheely, Ted Sheely, Tammy Valov and Gloria Zion) to taste and judge. Two cook-off competition rounds challenged teams to create dishes incorporating the secret ingredients and the star ingredient, versatile American pistachios. During the second round, Jim Zion and Ted Sheely were pulled on stage to assist the chefs.
• APG-signed Water Polo Ball (USA Women’s Team), donated by Judy Hirigoyen, APG Marketing Department • Coastal Getaway for Two (Golf and Dinner at Granada), Donated by Rudy Hernandez of Five Star Harvesting • Four Field-level Tickets to SF Giants Game, Donated by Collene Greenlee of Citibank • Harvest High Tea for Six, Donated by Larry and Janice Lowder of Alkali Hollow Farms, Inc. • Large Coach Tote and Matching Wallet, Donated by Beth Sequeira of Keenan Farms, Inc. • Montana Silversmiths Crystal Jewelry Set, Donated by Beth Sequeira of Keenan Farms, Inc. • Pistachio Pasta Pronto Gift Basket, Donated by Kristi Robinson of Meridian Nut Growers • Pruning Gift Certificate, Donated by Jeb Headrick of Pioneer Nursery • Setton Goodie Gift Basket, Donated by Mia Cohen of Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. • Summer Jubilee Celebration, Donated by Anil Gupta of K&G Farms • Two Pistachio Bark Wine Stoppers and Pens, Donated by Steve and Shirley Seplak of SAS-Z Nuts • Two-night Stay at Paradise Point, Donated by Paradise Point
APG’s Leadership Program held its inaugural auction at the 2014 Annual Conference to financially support our educational efforts. Thanks to our APG members’ support it was a huge success, with more than $28,000 raised. It is through APG’s leadership program that we are able to develop and inspire the future leaders of the pistachio industry. APG plans to continue to raise funds throughout the year. Save your money because we are planning to have another successful auction at the 2015 Annual Conference
Greg Borges Borges Farms
Kirk Mouser Valent U.S.A. Corporation
Steve Burc
Gage Farm
Zack Rav
Keenan Farms
cham
ms
ven
s, Inc.
Stephani Graham
Jeb Headrick
Marianne Konda
Michael Kusmak
Steve Moore Farms
Pioneer Nursery
Konda Farms
Tularosa Pistachio Growers
Kristi Robinson
Jacob Sheely
Mike Smith
Kirk Squire
Meridian Nut Growers
Sheely Family Farms
Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc.
Horizon Nut Company
APG’s Leadership Program, a year-long course, was developed to prepare the next generation of pistachio growers to become leaders within APG and the industry. The program consists of leadership training and industry education seminars led by APG and industry leaders, hands-on educational sessions, field experience, and an up-close view of how APG committees and board operate. The ultimate goal of the program is to prepare the students for possible selection to an APG committee or board position.
Cardinal Professional Products
Satake USA
Agricrop
Madera One-100
COE Orchard Equipment, Inc.
Scroggs Consulting, LLC
Anex Manufacturing
Magnuson Corporation
Farmland Management Services
Steve Moore Farms
Bird Gard
Pistacia Global, Inc.
Fiddyment Farms, Inc.
Tomra Sorting Solutions/MPA
Blackwell Farming
Purewal Custom Harvesting
Industrial Design & Construction, Inc.
United Phosphorus, Inc.
Buhler Group
Rahul Family Farms, L.P.
Kettleman Pistachio Growers
Valent U.S.A. Corporation
Doug Anderson Real Estate
Seaman Nurseries, Inc.
Plant Food Systems
Westside Farm Management, Inc
Gage Farms Griswold Lasalle Cobb Dowd & Gin LLP