5 Key Takeaways from MAGIE 2021
August 30, 2021 Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Midwest AG Industries Exposition (MAGIE) made a triumphant return to the McLean Fairgrounds in Bloomington, IL, following a year absence due to COVID-19. Like thousands of others, CropLife IRON was on hand for this event and here are five key takeaways.
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1. Many Happy Returns
Given that the show didn’t gather in person for 2020 – and the fact that COVID-19 issues continue to plague much of the country – some observers might have anticipated a lower attendance figure for MAGIE 2021. However, according to Leslie Forrest, Director of Programs, Office & Membership for show sponsor the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA), this wasn’t the case. “Our pre-show registration was around 2,000,” said Forrest, “and we were expecting a few hundred walk-ups as well.” Added together, this would put the MAGIE 2021 attendance figure around 2,300, on par with the 2019 show and just 600 shy of the high-water mark of 2,907 achieved back in 2017.
2. Attendees in a ‘Positive Mood’
Speaking with the attendees, it was clear that most were very happy to once again be able to attend the annual MAGIE event in person. “It’s great to be back and able to ‘kick the tires’ after so long,” was a common refrain from those walking the fairgrounds. Many reported that MAGIE 2021 was the very first in-person event they had attended since much of the country implemented COVID lockdowns during the spring of 2020.
3. New Products Galore
Besides attendees, MAGIE 2021 exhibitors were also imparted a positive mood as well. For those of us walking the showgrounds, it was apparent that many companies had waited for the worst of the COVID pandemic to pass to introduce new products to the marketplace. In all, there were dozens of new pieces of equipment at the show from such well-known suppliers as Raven Industries, John Deere, Case IH, Heartland Ag, GVM, and RBR Enterprise. Of course, the talk of the show was the new Fendt Rogator 900 Series sprayer, featured at the AGCO booth. This new unit ended up winning the coveted ShowStopper Award and many attendees reported being at MAGIE 2021 “specifically to see the Fendt Rogator for myself.”
4. A Former President’s Farewell
MAGIE 2021 also presented an opportunity for an old industry friend to finally say “good-bye” in person, too. In the middle of the COVID-19 lockdowns this past April, long-time IFCA President Jean Payne announced she was retiring from the association, passing the reins over to Kevin “K.J.” Johnson. But because in-person events were largely off the table, Payne never had the chance to say good-bye in person to all her industry friends. Until MAGIE 2021. In honor of Payne’s time as president, IFCA held a special send-off at the annual Tailgate Party on Wednesday, August 25. With a crowd gathered to hear her speak, Payne shared some of her favorite IFCA stories with attendees, described how nice retirement was, and thanked all the association’s supporters over the years for supporting her. Once she was done talking, attendees raised their drink glasses in a farewell toast to Payne.
5. Brutal Heat
If there was one surprise to come out of the MAGIE 2021 event, it was the weather. Since it is held towards the end of August, attendees and exhibitors are used to this outdoor show being on the hot side, weather-wise, but MAGIE 2021 was something else entirely. With daytime temperatures in the low 90s – and humidity levels in the high 90s – heat indexes for the show by mid-day easily topped the 100-degree mark. In fact, at the annual Tailgate Party held Wednesday evening, the heat index hit 110 degrees! Obviously, bottled waters and cold soft drinks were held in virtually all attendees hand all day long on both days of the show.
Look for more photo highlights from MAGIE 2021 soon.
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