BOONE, Iowa - Farm Progress Show exhibitors were busy Tuesday competing for the attention of the visitors on the event's first day.

With two permanent sites for the show, exhibitors are focused on making their areas bigger and more attractive. It's not always easy for visitors to see everything, either, with close to 500 exhibitors.

"We don't do anything supersensational," said Eric Hodson, a Deere Co. spokesman. "We like to keep it simple and informative with things people want to see."

Visitors were able to focus on seeing what they wanted to see as the weather for the first time in the past three shows allowed for an enjoyable experience. It didn't rain, and a temperature of about 80 degrees made air-conditioned tents and bottles of water less in demand than they were in Decatur last year.

Deere is able to catch the attention of visitors with a mix of attractions, including new products and brief informational seminars. The Deere seminar area this year was covered in an effort to keep attendees cool should it be hot outside.

Visitors came for information and to see the broadcasts of agricultural radio personalities.

"It gives them a place to sit down and get them off their feet," Hodson said. "People are drawn to the personalities because they're curious, and it gives them a chance to see how a radio broadcast works."

Deere isn't the only company to have seminar areas with places to sit as they try to draw people.

Pioneer Co., at the center of the show grounds, has a Jumbotron providing information on its seminar schedule and showing live video from inside its tent.

Demonstrations at the Pioneer exhibit include a cooking show using healthy foods.

"We're making sure we have connections with the people outside," said Bill Belzer, corn marketing manager for Pioneer. "We're trying to connect with as many people as possible."

Companies aren't just trying to draw in farmers. Seed company BioFuture, a division of Channel Bio Corp., has an interactive display with seminars throughout the day.

"It's about having personal connections about the new sciences," said Tim Barry of BioFuture. "If they're not farming, then they eat food and should know about the science, too."

The payoff for exhibitors is beneficial for business, as they never know who they're going to meet. Iowa State University, for example, has a mix of seminars and entertainment on a stage in its tent.

"You never know who you're going to connect with, as there are going to be a whole lot of producers here," said Joe Colletti, associate dean for Iowa State's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "When they come here, they see how they can partner with groups like ISU. A lot of people seek out the ISU tent at the Farm Progress Show. They want to see all the connections."

Show organizers are looking forward to seeing how the exhibits will continue to evolve.

"Each year, they'll step up," said Cindy Laegeler, who heads Progress City USA, the Decatur home of the show. "We saw from 2005 to 2007 how the exhibits changed, and everyone stepped up a notch."

Exhibitors will have two more days to draw the attention of visitors before the show returns to Decatur on Sept. 1 through 3, 2009.

clusvardi@herald-review.com|421-7972