Planning is getting underway for the 2020 3i Show, and Western Kansas Manufacturer’s Association, which puts on the show, is looking for ideas for events, demonstrations and presentations from exhibitors and would-be exhibitors.

“We think we have gotten it right with the March date,” says Eddie Estes, WKMA chief executive. “Next year will be the third year with the new March dates and the 66th annual show. We are looking forward to continued growth.”

Weather for the 2019 show was excellent — offering both sunshine and rain and allowing farmers an opportunity to get out of the field and come and visit with exhibitors said.

“We always ask our exhibitors to complete a survey on how the show went for them and this year’s surveys to date indicate positive feedback regarding attendance on Thursday and especially on Saturday, providing them with positive leads,” Estes says.

For 2020, the show is planning to change the pricing structure for exhibitors, offering bigger multi-lot discounts and discounts beginning with a second contracted space, Estes says. The new pricing structure is being offered after exhibitors indicated they would expand their exhibits if the discounts were applied earlier, he says.

“Times continue to be rough for the ag industry and that has had an impact on our exhibitors as well as our visitors,” Estes says. “As the economy continues to be difficult, the goal for our new pricing structure is to encourage companies that had scaled back to expand next year.”

WKMA staff has already been working to finalize as many events for 2020 as early as possible to assist with plans to implement earlier marketing and promotion schedules. 

Events being planned will include the return of High School Ag Career Day as well as the second-annual Agri-Business Hiring Event. The National Weather Service will also be returning with a presentation. Discussions are being held in hopes of hosting a live cattle chute demonstration, a bull sale and the Kansas convoy for Special Olympics.