Online registration makes its debut this year at World Ag Expo. The show is requesting visitors register electronically via the Internet prior to attending the show. The following step-by-step guide will help visitors understand what information they will need to provide when registering.

Progressive Dairyman also asked World Ag Expo organizers to answer questions about the new registration process.

Step 1:
Visitors submit their first and last name and the name of the business or company which they represent.

PD: Why does World Ag Expo need to know what company or dairy I represent?

WAE: According to CompuSystems, the online registration company doing registrations, exhibitors say they like to see a company name for visitors, if one exists. From their experience with and feedback from exhibitors, providing a company name helps exhibitors identify attendees.

Step 2:
Visitors submit a valid mailing address, including address, city, state and zip code. Visitors must also have a valid e-mail address.

PD: Why does World Ag Expo need my mailing address?

WAE: That information is for demographic purposes and for follow up purposes as far as registration is concerned. An e-mail address is the first way visitors will get a confirmation of their registration and a mailing address or fax is the second way they will get a confirmation.

The main purpose is for demographics and secondary purpose is for registration confirmation.

Exhibitors will have bar code scanners to scan visitors’ badges of those who have requested more information.

PD: So only exhibitors whom I allow to scan my badge will get my contact information?

WAE: Correct.

PD: Can I register if I don’t have an e-mail address?

WAE: There is no way around not having an e-mail address. A suggestion is to get a free e-mail address from Hotmail or AOL.

Step 3:
Visitors submit their type of operation (i.e., dairy), the commodities they produce and market (i.e., milk), the type of products they are interested in viewing at the show (i.e., technology), the number of animals they own, and the total acres of farmland they manage.

PD: Why do you need to know how many animals and acres I own?

WAE: This is also a demographic question. Our exhibitors are having to prove who is coming to the show and is it worth coming to the show to do marketing. If we can show these corporations the kind of farmers that are coming to our show, that helps them justify spending their marketing dollars.

PD: How do I know my information is secure?

WAE: The information will be retained by CompuSystems and the International Agri-Center. The only way information will be given out is if a visitor allows an exhibitor to scan their badge. If the International Agri-Center uses it in anyway, it would be for World Ag Expo demographic use.

Step 4:
Visitors choose a one-, two- or three-day badge to purchase. This screen also provides information about dairy tours that will be offered during the show. Admittance on tours requires an extra $20 ticket for each tour selected.

Step 5:
Visitors will be asked to verify that the information they have entered is correct. This screen will allow visitors to add more than one visitor, such as multiple company representatives, to one bill.

Step 6:
Visitors will be asked to pay for their registration with a credit card.

Visitors will be able to print a confirmation page of their registration.

PD: Why this system now?

WAE: We like to think we are leading the trend in ag trade shows. We are one of the first ag trade shows to implement the registration system. The registration process provides us with additional information to provide our exhibitors for them to prove this is the expo they need to be attending.

PD: If I refuse to register online, can I still attend the show?

WAE: At the gate, there will be a fill-in form. If you fill in the form, you will get a badge at entry. If you don’t fill in the form, you won’t get a badge, but can still enter.  PD