b'Forthefirsttime,the2020ExpoHall provided attendees with spacesspecificallydedicatedtonetwork-ing, with five Meet-Up Lounges tohave a conversation and recharge, aswell as a coffee bar that was openthroughout the show. The Expo Hallalso featured a stage for The PotatoTalks, a center of activity featuringengaging discussions and entertain-mentallcenteredaroundpotatoesand potato production.Potato Expo serves as a forum to fos-tercollaborationbetweennationaland state potato associations, as well Shelley Olsen of LJ Olsen, Inc. in Othello, Washington, and Potato LEAF chair,astherestoftheindustry. announcing the launch of Potato LEAF, an organization dedicated to growingleaders who will thrive in the competitive global marketplace of the future.Maintaining its reputation as a place (Photo credit Potato Expo and Bill Schaefer Photography)to help better position the industry toesintotheirdishes.The the industry.for the future, the Potato Expo 2020 ThrowdownincludedWolfgangaddressed many pressing issues from PuckBar&GrillLasVegasChef The event also served as platform toevolving consumer trends to disrup- Daniel Stramm, Chef Robert "Stew" announcethecreationofanewtionsinagribusiness.Technology StewartfromtheOWNNetworks organizationdedicatedtogrowingand digital expert Erik Qualman dis- "RaisingWhitley"andFood futureleaderswhogrowpotatoes.cussed the habits that effective lead- Network\'s"GuysGroceryGames" ThePotatoLeadership,Education,ersusetothriveintodaysdigital and "Cutthroat Kitchen, and win- andAdvancementFoundationera.MikeLee,co-founderandco- ner of Season 3 of Hell\'s Kitchen (LEAF), a 501(c)3 organization, wasCEOofAlphaFoodLabsand onFOX,ChefRockHarper.The launched by the industry as a way tofounderofTheFutureMarket, ThrowdownwaswonbyChef provide tools, training, and supportshared his perspective on consumer Harperwithhisdishfeaturing necessarytohelpgrowersandbehaviorsthatareshapingthe Patatas Bravas.industry members develop as lead-future of food. David Parker, execu- ers.TheFoundationalsoservestotive vice president of FLM Harvest, TheNationalPotatoCouncil,the encourage members to commit theirdescribedcurrentagribusiness PotatoExposorganizer,usedthe time and energy to the bettermenttrendsanddisruptors,andtheir event to announce the launch of its oftheU.S.potatoindustryasaimplications on the future. new podcast, Eye on Potatoes. The whole.Moreinformationaboutpodcast,availableonApple PotatoLEAFcanbefoundatThefifthannualSpudNation Podcasts,Spotify,andGoogle pleaf.org.Throwdownchefcook-off,hosted Podcasts,providesaplatformforbyaward-winningchefandbest- growersthroughoutthecountry PotatoExpo2021willbeheldselling author Chef Jeff Henderson, and policy makers in Washington to January 6-7 at the Gaylord Texan inbrought together an exciting fusion learn about the industry policy pri- Grapevine, Texas. More informationoftastesandflavorsasadiverse oritiesandhearfromgrowersand isavailableatwww.potato-groupofchefsincorporatedpota- experts on the latest issues affecting expo.com.FEBRUARY 2020 POTATO GROWER 25'