Vienna, VA - The U.S. Apple Association's (USApple) 2006 Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference, which will be held Aug. 17-18 at the Chicago Four Seasons Hotel, promises to be the premiere meeting of the apple industry in the United States. This "can't miss" conference will feature national and world apple experts providing a first look at U.S. and international apple crops, giving attendees an edge in the competitive global market. In addition, Outlook 2006 will provide information on coming consumer trends to keep attendees ahead of the marketing curve. Of course there will be opportunities to network with colleagues and leaders from across the industry and around the world. Experts presenting at the 2006 Outlook Conference will cover a wide range of important domestic and international issues facing the apple industry, including:

• China's increase in apple production and exports, which is driving change in marketing and sales worldwide;
• Impact of increasing consumer demand for organic apples;
• Growing and marketing new varieties of apples to maximize profit potential and meet consumer demand for new and interesting apple textures and flavors;
• A first look at the 2006 U.S. crop from field reports known for their accuracy; and
• Forecasts for apple crops and markets around the globe.

  Global experts participating in the conference include:

• Alessandro Dalpiaz, Managing Director of Assomela in Trento, Italy
• Kelly Jones, a partner in Paquime in Nuevo Casas Grande, Mexico;
• Ron McCormick, Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager for Wal-Mart, Inc.;
• James Parker, National Retail Coordinator for Whole Foods Market, Inc;
• Keith Sunderlal of The SCS Group in New Delhi, India;
• Dr. Thomas Wahl, Director of the International Marketing Program for Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT) Center at Washington State University;
• Don Werden, Sales Manager for Norfolk Fruit Growers' Association in Ontario, Canada; and
• Maggie Xie of Haisheng USA Inc.

Attendees will also receive a copy of USApple's 2006 Production and Utilization Analysis, a "must have" statistical analysis of the apple industry. This publication will not be available anywhere prior to the meeting.

USApple is adding a new networking opportunity to the 2006 Outlook Conference - offering another chance for industry leaders to meet and discuss the issues facing the industry. This year's conference will begin with a Welcome Reception beginning at 11 a.m. on Aug. 17. This reception will lead into the first General Session of the conference. The always popular evening reception will remain an important part of the meeting.

The 2006 Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference is made possible in part through the support of our primary sponsors, AgroFresh, BASF, Bayer CropScience, Makhteshim Agan of North America and Syngenta.

The top three awards in the apple industry, the American Fruit Grower magazine's Apple Grower of the Year, The Packer/The Grower publications' Apple Person of the Year, and National Apple Month's Apple Merchandiser of the Year, will be presented at the conference.

Online registration is available at www.USApple.org. Registration is also available via mail or fax, using the downloadable registration form on the USApple website. Registration by Monday, July 31st is requested in order to avoid late fees. Late registration will be available starting Aug. 1 for an additional fee of $50.00. Registration fees begin at $395 for USApple members and $595 for non-members. For more information, call USApple at (703) 442-8850, or visit USApple's Web site at www.usapple.org.

Media organizations that wish to have copies of their apple trade publications available to conference attendees should contact Shannon Schaffer at SSchaffer@USApple.org for shipping instructions, including the earliest available arrival dates.

Note: The text of this release can be downloaded from the News Releases section of USApple's Media Web site at http://www.usapple.org/media/newsreleases/index.shtml. The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 36 state and regional apple associations representing the 7,500 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 300 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple's mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products..