Companies with products, services, technology and innovation targeting the nation's leading farmers now have the opportunity to get in front of that coveted audience.  Commodity Classic, the nation's largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show, has announced the opening of the trade show floor for the 2016 Commodity Classic in New Orleans, March 3-5, 2016.

"The increased size of the trade show floor in New Orleans provides additional space for new exhibitors and a perfect opportunity for companies who have been wanting to participate in Commodity Classic," said Sam Butler, an Alabama soybean farmer and Commodity Classic Co-Chair.  "This is where the nation's top farmers come to learn what's new and become even better at what they do.  And it's where the companies that want to reach those farmers come to exhibit."

Commodity Classic is the annual trade show and convention of the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers. In 2016, Commodity Classic welcomes the Association of Equipment Manufacturers as an affiliate of the event.

Some 72 percent of growers attending the 2015 Commodity Classic characterized themselves as "early adopters" of new products, technology and innovation. Total growers at the 2015 Commodity Classic represented:

• Nearly $5 billion in total gross farm income
• A per farm average gross farm income of $1.77 million
• More than $1 billion in total equipment purchases
• Nearly $875 million in total seed and chemical purchases
• More than $858 million in total fertilizer purchases

The remaining exhibit space will likely be sold quickly, so exhibitors are urged to stake their claims as soon as possible.

"This is a rare opportunity to have a good inventory of available exhibit space," Butler said.  "But companies should act quickly if they want to ensure their place in New Orleans."

Commodity Classic has consistently broken annual attendance records over the past several years.  In 2015, nearly 8,000 people attended the 20th Commodity Classic in Phoenix, Ariz.—and 4,328 of them were farmers.

For an exhibitor prospectus, visit CommodityClassic.com/exhibitors.  For additional information, contact tradeshow@commodityclassic.com or call 636.922.5551.

Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is America's largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show, produced by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and, starting in 2016, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.