The annual meeting, which will be held in the Civic Center and the Ambassador Hotel, is expected to bring 275-300 people to Amarillo, said J.R. Sprague, AgriLife Extension agent in Lipscomb County.

The meeting serves as a venue to update agents on management programs, as well as recognize outstanding agent work on the state level, Sprague said. During a banquet on Aug. 5, the group will present its annual Man of the Year awards to seven individuals from across the state. Guest speakers will be Dr. Ben Welch, director of the Center for Executive Development from the Mays School of Business at Texas A&M University. John Erickson of Perryton will entertain with his Hank the Cowdog stories.

An auction will be held to raise money for educational scholarships for members, as well as some for youth. A trade show is held in conjunction with the event, with 30 industry booths expected this year, Sprague said.

Professional development tours will be offered to all the agents, he said. Agents will be able to choose one of the following tours: horticulture in Potter County, dairy and cheese in Dallam County, beef and ethanol in Deaf Smith County, and a range and wildlife tour in Roberts County.

Additionally, tours have been set up for spouses to take them shopping around town, and for the youth to visit Palo Duro Canyon, Splash and Wonderland Park.

For more information, contact Sprague at 806-862-4601, jsprague@ag.tamu.edu .