Farm Industry News is part of the Penton Ag family, which owns the Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days. We attend both shows and we know many of you do too. So ahead of Farm Progress Show we thought we'd share a few tips that even veteran show attendees might find useful.

One thing you'll notice these days at the show is the rising use of smart phones by everyone there - whether it's farmers keeping up on the markets or company exhibitors tracking email. But that smartphone is a valuable tool too as a way to help you with the show. Check out the tips below to make the most of your trip to Boone, and remember gates open at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30 for the 63rd annual Farm Progress Show. The event runs through Thursday Sept. 1.

1. Arrive early

When we say early - the staff is on site very early, but we're allowed. For best parking, if you get to the area by 7 a.m. you should be parked and ready to enter when, or soon after the gates open. Parking is simple and the north-south road on the west side of the grounds - Highway 17 - turns into an all one-way north road after 7 to funnel you to the north side of the grounds where visitor parking is located.

2. Consider the secret back way - if you're coming from the north

Visitors from the north often head down I-35 and come over on 30 to the show. But if you're coming from the north consider getting west to 17 from a northern road then cut south. You'll go right to the north parking lot for visitors and avoid that south-side traffic. So check your map, and if you come from the north, consider this little trick to speed your entry to the show. Check out the map to the show for more info.

3. Get your tickets online.

You can buy tickets online so you have them in hand when you come to the show. Cost is $15/person but subscribers to a Farm Progress Publication - a Midwest state magazine; or those that will fill out an online profile can save $3 per person. And if you buy tickets online early the show will donate $1 to VFW to support their efforts. And advance ticket holders who offer their information or are subscribers are eligible to win big prizes - learn more at the Farm Progress Show ticket page.

4. Maximize the online tools available

At farmprogressshow.com there is a section under Visitor Resources for Map Your Show. It's an online tool that if you register allows you to schedule your day around the site and not miss the exhibitors you want to see. This online tool also gives you searchable ways to find the exhibitors you want to see not only by brand but by category. That online tool has been available for several years, and just keeps getting better, and it's enhanced by the smart phone app too - see No. 5 for more details there.

5. Get the latest mobile app

This closeup of the Varied Industries Tent in the 2016 Farm Progress Show mobile app shows you can zoom in and find just what you need. You have to download the 2016 version for this year's show.

Whether you have Apple or Android there's a Farm Progress Show 2016 app you want to download. Even if you have last year's app, you'll need to download the 2016 version separately to get the right info in the palm of your hand. And if you've registered for Map Your Show on the desktop website you can log into the app and have all your information, appointments and more to carry to the show. Here are direct links to the 2016 app on iTunes, and the Android app at Google Play.

6. And a bonus

There's a lot to see at this year's show. We've been highlighting those things on New Product Monday's with a look at cool new tools and products that will be on hand. And that's only a sample. The Drone Lab offers you a look at data collected on an 80-acre field to the east of the show site with cooperators using new-tech tools to maximize information. Of course there are the field demonstrations where you can see the new Tribine in action, as well as the new Agco Challenger 1000 tractor run too. And that's just a short list. Even with a soft market, the march of new products continues, don't miss them. Learn more at farmprogressshow.com.