The third annual CropConnect Conference is coming up in Winnipeg on February 10 & 11.

Farmer registrations are ahead of last year’s pace, says co-chair Theresa Bergsma in the preview above, noting they may have to turn walk-up attendees away (you can register here).

So why head to #CropConnect16? Here are 5 things we’re looking forward to:

1. A solid speaker lineup — from Kevin Folta to Mike Boehlje to Charlie Arnot, around 30 speakers will cover all sorts of current farm topics, with agronomy, management and technology being the themes in the three concurrent speaker rooms.

2. Catch up with other innovative farm decision-makers in the trade show and hallways — chances are your neighbours will be there, but so will a bunch of other farmers from across Manitoba, as well as some from Saskatchewan, Alberta and North Dakota.

3. Hear from Donald Cooper — the former head of Cooper Sporting Goods has some excellent business strategy advice and an honest way of presenting it (we enjoyed his company on the TechTour Live last year!)

4. Have your voice heard in producer organizations — find out what’s happening with your checkoff dollars and have your say in how producer dollars are spent. Seven provincial and national farm organizations will hold their annual general meetings during CropConnect ’16: Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers, National Sunflower Association of Canada, Manitoba Canola Growers, Manitoba Flax Grower Association, Manitoba Wheat & Barley Growers Association, Manitoba Corn Growers Association and the Manitoba Oat Growers Association (you don’t have to register for CropConnect to attend the AGMs).

5. Last, but not least: the Real Ag Farmers’ Saloon — Real Agriculture is proud to host the end-of-day event on Wednesday, a chance to do the aforementioned catching up with innovative colleagues and speakers over a pint or two.