Meeting the Needs of the Industry

The Central Coast Cotton Conference is now in its sixth year. It has become recognized as a valuable resource for the entire California cotton industry. In light of the challenges facing California cotton producers today, this meeting is a must for anyone working with cotton.

The three-day conference provides a great source of information, education and networking opportunities. The mission of the Central Coast Cotton Conference is to support California cotton production through networking, interactive learning and continuing education for growers, consultants, PCAs, educators and industry representatives.

The meeting brings together these individuals – who have a vast array of experiences and ideas to share – with experts from around the nation. Working together, they strengthen the knowledge and skills of cotton industry professionals, which will in turn unify and strengthen California cotton industry. The conference also provides attendees with an opportunity to earn valuable continuing education credits.

Background

The Central Coast Cotton Conference was launched in 2003 by one of California’s premiere cotton production experts, Lowell J. Zelinski, Ph.D. and his wife, Becky Zelinski. Lowell, who has worked with cotton for more than 25 years, saw a need for an interactive learning environment for members of the California cotton industry. They asked for – and received – some support for the first meeting, and have built upon its success year-after-year.

“The Central Coast Cotton Conference is an educational tool for the ‘tactical decision makers’ in cotton production,” Lowell Zelinski said. “It’s intended for those who’ve been working in the industry so we can learn from each other. I want the meeting to be interactive and I look at it as an opportunity for me to learn as well.”

An interactive learning experience

The three main goals of the Central Coast Cotton Conference work together to provide a unique educational experience so that attendees can:

• LEARN –The conference allows attendees to enhance their cotton production knowledge and earn valuable continuing education credits.
• INTERACT –The sessions are conducted in a unique, interactive format to allow participants to share their knowledge and experiences with one another.
• RELAX –The conference is held at a beautiful seaside resort to give hard-working professionals an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate before the start of a busy growing season.

Proven Success

For the past six years, the conference has garnered the respect of corporations and industry professionals alike, and now draws support from many facets of the cotton production world. Those who support it are interested in sustaining the future of cotton production in California and recognize the value of an annual meeting that’s only focus is to do just that.

The 2007 meeting was declared by many to be “the most successful meeting to date.”

Industry professionals now consider it the “meeting place” for the industry and the best resource available for the California cotton industry.

“Central Coast Cotton Conference is ‘the’ annual cotton production meeting for California cotton,” Harry Cline, Editor of Western Farm Press Magazine says. “The Beltwide does not cut it anymore. It is 100% California focused.”

Unique Format

The Central Coast Cotton Conference is the ONLY cotton production seminar of its kind. Held at a beautiful seaside resort, the conference focuses on issues exclusive to California, and especially the San Joaquin Valley. It is presented in a guided-discussion – rather than lecture – format. Attendees and sponsors alike applaud the interactive approach, which they say greatly enhances the value of the conference.

Earl Williams, CEO of the California Cotton Growers & Ginners Association says: “There is not a better time or place to rub elbows and exchange information and ideas with other cotton folks!”

Evolving to meet your needs

Each year the Central Coast Cotton Conference steering committee works hard to develop an agenda to address pressing issues and provide insight into new technology and techniques.

The meeting now consists of three, half-day sessions with each session focused on a specific area of cotton production in California. The format also gives guests an opportunity to participate in the Central Coast Cotton Conference golf tournament, sightsee or just relax and enjoy the beautiful Central Coast.

• Agronomy & Production
• Technology and Techniques
• Outlook and Updates