Aug 7, 2023

Onion industry convention to feature growers, researchers

Onion growers and researchers are planning to meet together for this year’s National Onion Association (NOA) convention.

The Nov. 29-Dec. 2 convention in San Antonio, Texas, will be a joint meeting with the National Allium Research Conference (NARC). The joining of the NOA and NARC means participants will gain access to some of the brightest minds in onion research from across the country, according to a news release.

The convention will include presentations from the onion disease and pest management researchers, political discussions, and also include a boots-on-the-ground onion exploration of the Texas A&M Research Station and Cargil Farms Produces’ onion fields in Uvalde, Texas.

“You’ll want to book this trip early,” organizers said in the release. “With a larger-than-normal group, hotel rooms may be at a premium.”

The NOA possesses blocks of rooms at the San Antonio Marriot Riverwalk, the convention site. Attendees can book their rooms here.  Booking through the link provides attendees discounted rates.

The meeting will be the first time the onion industry’s meetings have been held in Texas since 2009. Winter weather in Texas is temperate. Guests should prepare for temperatures in the 50s. On occasion, the region receives snow.

Sponsorships remain available with forms here. There are separate convention registration links for NOA members, researchers and students.

Researchers hoping to present or submit papers to the conference will find a draft agenda and abstract submission guidelines at the registration link.  Submissions are due Aug. 31.

Founded in 1913, the NOA is the official organization representing growers, shippers, brokers and commercial representatives of the U.S. onion industry. The NOA is comprised of nearly 500 members from the U.S. and abroad. While the NOA advocates for the industry, it also works on promotional campaigns to help increase the consumption of onions.

Since 1985, the NARC has served as a focal point for biennial conferences devoted to the allium plant species and its improvement, management and consumption in the U.S. and globally. To learn more about NARC, visit alliumnet.com/narc.

The meeting marks the first time in 14 years the NOA has hosted its meeting in the Alamo City.