Events & Outings
Detroit Nights: Welcome Dinner at Saint Andrew’s Hall
Tuesday, July 21
7-9:30pm
431 E. Congress Street
Included with registration
Kick off the 2026 Summer Meeting at the legendary Saint Andrew’s Hall with an evening of great food, networking, and Detroit’s iconic music atmosphere.
Join fellow attendees for a welcome dinner inside this historic venue, a cornerstone of Detroit’s vibrant music scene. It’s the perfect opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, meet new participants, and settle into the week ahead.
With its storied past and energetic setting, this event combines dinner, conversation, and an authentic Detroit experience, creating an ideal kickoff to the Summer Meeting.
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Dinner & Tours – Birthplace of the Model T
Wednesday, July 22
6-9pm
461 Piquette Avenue
Included with registration
Step into automotive history during an unforgettable evening at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum—the birthplace of the Model T and one of Detroit’s most significant historic landmarks.
Enjoy a private dinner in this beautifully preserved factory, where innovation transformed manufacturing and changed the world. During the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the museum through guided tours, showcasing early automobiles, original workspaces, and the story behind one of the most important developments in industrial history.
This unique experience combines networking with an authentic look at Detroit’s heritage, offering the perfect setting to connect with colleagues while celebrating innovation, ingenuity, and the spirit of progress that continues to shape our industry today.
Dinner at the Ballpark: Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals
Thursday, July 23
5:10-end of game
Party Deck 1, Comerica Park, 2100 Woodward Avenue
Included with registration
Cap off the 2026 Summer Meeting with an unforgettable evening at Comerica Park as the Detroit Tigers take on the Kansas City Royals.
Start the night with a hosted dinner at the ballpark, where you can relax, connect with fellow attendees, and take in views of the Detroit skyline. Then settle in for a classic Major League Baseball experience as the game gets underway.
This event offers the perfect blend of networking and entertainment—combining America’s pastime with great food, great company, and the energy of a summer night in Detroit. It’s a fun and memorable way to wrap up the week and celebrate time well spent together.
Social Media
Potatoes are highly sensitive to even moderate environmental changes. During Potato Expo 2026, we sat down with Andrew Pritchard, Senior Atmospheric Scientist at Nutrien, who identified the "best and worst" weather patterns for potato health. The conversation focuses on practical resilience strategies, including soil performance tracking and storage management, to help producers remain profitable despite erratic rainfall and shifting pest pressures.
🎧 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eye-on-potatoes-a-podcast-on-all-things-potatoes/id1491815515
Mar 31
Potatoes are highly sensitive to even moderate environmental changes. During Potato Expo 2026, we sat down with Andrew Pritchard, Senior Atmospheric Scientist at Nutrien, who identified the "best and worst" weather patterns for potato health. The conversation focuses on practical resilience strategies, including soil performance tracking and storage management, to help producers remain profitable despite erratic rainfall and shifting pest pressures.
🎧 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eye-on-potatoes-a-podcast-on-all-things-potatoes/id1491815515
Mark your calendars! 🥔 The 2026 NPC Summer Meeting is heading to Detroit, Michigan, from July 21-24.
This isn`t just another industry event—it’s where the future of the U.S. potato industry takes shape. Join key decision-makers from every major growing region to tackle our industry`s biggest challenges and influence national policy.
We’ve planned a legendary lineup of activities to showcase the best of the Motor City:
Kickoff at St. Andrew’s Hall: Network in an iconic music venue that has hosted everyone from Nirvana to Pearl Jam. 🎸
History at Ford Piquette Avenue Plant: Enjoy dinner and a tour at the birthplace of the Ford Model T. 🚗
A night at Comerica Park: Close out the meeting watching the Detroit Tigers take on the Kansas City Royals. ⚾️
Experience the perfect blend of business, innovation, and Detroit-style fun.
Save the date: July 21-24, 2026!
Mar 11
Mark your calendars! 🥔 The 2026 NPC Summer Meeting is heading to Detroit, Michigan, from July 21-24.
This isn`t just another industry event—it’s where the future of the U.S. potato industry takes shape. Join key decision-makers from every major growing region to tackle our industry`s biggest challenges and influence national policy.
We’ve planned a legendary lineup of activities to showcase the best of the Motor City:
Kickoff at St. Andrew’s Hall: Network in an iconic music venue that has hosted everyone from Nirvana to Pearl Jam. 🎸
History at Ford Piquette Avenue Plant: Enjoy dinner and a tour at the birthplace of the Ford Model T. 🚗
A night at Comerica Park: Close out the meeting watching the Detroit Tigers take on the Kansas City Royals. ⚾️
Experience the perfect blend of business, innovation, and Detroit-style fun.
Save the date: July 21-24, 2026!
🏆During last week`s NPC Washington Summit, long-time champion of the potato industry, Congressman Dan Newhouse @repnewhouse, was presented with NPC`s Golden Potato Award by Washington state grower Ted Tschirky in recognition of his decades of public service.
Mar 6
🏆During last week`s NPC Washington Summit, long-time champion of the potato industry, Congressman Dan Newhouse @repnewhouse, was presented with NPC`s Golden Potato Award by Washington state grower Ted Tschirky in recognition of his decades of public service.
National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles and @spudmanmag Managing Editor Melinda Waldrop join the Eye on Potatoes Podcast to break down the inaugural 2026 Spud Sector Survey. This first-of-its-kind report moves past headlines to reveal the economic heartbeat of America’s potato growers.
Discover how NPC uses this "hard data ammunition" to advocate for our family farms in Washington, D.C. The group discusses the striking "optimism gap," where growers feel confident in their own operations but fear for the broader industry’s future. From the 82.9% of growers facing inflationary disruptions to the "essential bridge" of federal emergency aid, this episode provides a strategic roadmap for the ongoing efforts to Stand Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill.
🎧 LISTEN NOW at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bridging-the-optimism-gap-insights-from-the-spud/id1491815515?i=1000753425593.
Mar 6
National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles and @spudmanmag Managing Editor Melinda Waldrop join the Eye on Potatoes Podcast to break down the inaugural 2026 Spud Sector Survey. This first-of-its-kind report moves past headlines to reveal the economic heartbeat of America’s potato growers.
Discover how NPC uses this "hard data ammunition" to advocate for our family farms in Washington, D.C. The group discusses the striking "optimism gap," where growers feel confident in their own operations but fear for the broader industry’s future. From the 82.9% of growers facing inflationary disruptions to the "essential bridge" of federal emergency aid, this episode provides a strategic roadmap for the ongoing efforts to Stand Up for Potatoes on Capitol Hill.
🎧 LISTEN NOW at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bridging-the-optimism-gap-insights-from-the-spud/id1491815515?i=1000753425593.