Acclaimed as the biggest night of the year for the almond industry, the gala dinner at this year's Dec. 9-10 Almond Industry Conference is sure to thrill and excite everyone who attends.

The Almond Board of California has once again secured a high-caliber keynote speaker. Recognized in the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest Briton to climb Mount Everest, Bear Grylls is a man who loves adventure.

His best-selling books, inspirational speaking engagements and award-winning television show "Man vs. Wild" have brought him worldwide acclaim as the most fascinating survival expert alive today.

Early registration at www.almondboard.com/conference is encouraged to guarantee a seat at the Gala Dinner.

With exciting keynote speakers, technical experts, and panelists from across the globe, California almond growers, handlers, and allied industry members gather for the only conference in the country dedicated entirely to the almond industry.

The 37th Annual Almond Industry Conference will offer production hot topics that will directly impact growers' decisions and activities in the orchard and in the marketplace.

Production research presentations include: pollination update; balancing insect management with environmental concerns; almond irrigation world roundup; disease management update; and variety development, evaluation, and selection.

New this year growers will have the option to attend special workshops/training modules. For complete summaries on each presentation, visit www.almondboard.com/conference and click on the Agenda tab.

This year the Almond Industry Conference has an equipment tent in the North Parking Lot. Sponsored by JackRabbit, the venue promises to be a hot spot for the presentation of manufacturing, processing, harvesting, and orchard equipment from vendors including Air-O-Fan Products, Cablevey Conveyors, Kingsburg Cultivator, Red Barn Equipment Sales and Finance, LLC, and JackRabbit.

The keynote lunch will feature Forbes magazine’s Richard Karlgaard who writes the column "Digital Rules." Karlgaard writes about technology, entrepreneurship, regional and economic development, and building on the legacy of the American work ethic. He frequently lectures on these subjects and is a regular guest on the FOX News Channel's Forbes on FOX.

Karlgaard will provide an update on the overview of the economic outlook for California, the country, and the world under the newly-elected president and his administration. Space is limited for Thursday's lunch, so be sure to register early.

Register for the Almond Industry Conference online at www.almondboard.com/conference.

Registration for the conference sessions is free. Luncheon tickets are $25 and the Gala Dinner is $60.