b'IT MIGHT BE GOODBYE CHICAGO, BUT ASTA REMEMBERS IT FONDLYThe American Seed Trade Association looks back on over 75 years of conferences in Chicago.Alex MartinYOURE GOINGto Chicago? In theing to get the door shut as soon middle of December? as possible, the hotels director of Its a question the American Seedengineering walked around the show Trade Associations (ASTA) staff wasfloor, passing out complimentary hot used to hearing, especially since thechocolate to all of the exhibitors and ASTA CSS & Seed Expo has beenoffering apologies and reassurances.housed in Chicago, Ill., for almostThough the door eventually was 76 years. The convention has foundshut, Crouse and the exhibitors many incarnations throughout thewere reminded of the hospitality the yearsstarting as the Hybrid CornRegency Chicago worked to show Industry Research Conference inASTA every yearand about how 1946, until the name changed incold December gets every year!1966 to the Corn & Sorghum SeedThis director of engineering Research Conference. It wasnt untilattended our closing Exhibitors 1994 when the Corn & SorghumMeeting on the final day of the Seed Research Conference combinedshow, Crouse says. He didnt exactly with the Soybean Seed Researchreceive a warm welcome there Conference. Though the name haseither, poor guy!changed, and the city gets blisteringBut, the ASTA staff arent the cold in the winter, ASTA found itselfonly ones with fond memories of the a second home in Chicago to net- Chicago showplenty of seedsmen work and collaborate.throughout the industry remember But, Jennifer Crouse, senior direc- the conference fondly. tor of meetings and services at ASTA, remembers that question sharply inDont Know Anyone? Lets Change That!her memoryespecially one yearJim Schweigerts ASTA journey started where, while setting up the Seedback in 2003 at the CSS & Seed Expo, Expo exhibitors near the hotels mainbefore he was involved with his loading docks, the dock door had gotfamilys business, Gro Alliance. At stuck. the time, he had just returned to the The temperature was in theindustry after working outside of the single digits in Chicago that week,business in public relations. she says. While the Hyatt RegencyOne of the challenges he found, Chicago team were frantically work- was while he had some meetings 26GERMINATION.CAJANUARY 2023'