Agri-marketers and manufacturers from around the world are making a beeline to Orlando next week for AG CONNECT Expo 2010, the first agricultural show produced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

It’s a global ag show — the first of its kind — that is bringing thousands of growers and suppliers from around the world.

As a 20-plus-year agribusiness veteran, I’m pumped up about this show, which is seeking to break new ground as a networking and marketing opportunity for agribusiness. And one week in advance of the show, no one is revving it up more than agricultural equipment manufacturer AGCO Corporation

Phil Jones, brand marketing manager of AGCO, calls the show “something that’s extra special,” and the company is pulling out all the stops in its trade show marketing campaign.

“This show has an entirely different promise,” said Phil. “The show is much more targeted on the emerging, large professional grower audience. AG CONNECT is an incredible opportunity for us and the industry to showcase our latest and greatest technology.

Like most exhibitors at the show, AGCO is focusing on the larger growers who are planning to attend and are ready to engage in business and educational discussions. These are the customers who will want to see the new products and future technology, and that’s just what AGCO intends to deliver. In addition to its most current models, AGCO will also feature technology that won’t be commercialized for another year or two.

In the coming days, I’ll post more on AG CONNECT Expo and AGCO’s trade show activities. And you can get a preview here:

Next week, follow me at the show on Twitter: @agribizpr

(Guest contributor Gardner Hatch is a managing supervisor with the agribusiness team at Gibbs & Soell Public Relations.)