Registration is now underway for the National Onion Association’s 2021 Convention Dec. 1-4 at Fairmont El San Juan in gorgeous San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Convention registration can be done online at https://members.onions-usa.org/site_event_detail.cfm?pk_association_event=23357.
You can book accommodations at the Fairmont El San Juan at https://book.passkey.com/event/50224408/owner/3091650/home. There’s also a video presentation on the association’s home page that gives a quick glimpse of some of the activities and sights found on the island.
You won’t need an international passport, but you will need your official name badge for all events. Also, in keeping with current COVID protocol, attendees must provide proof of negative COVID test three days prior to flight or be ready to show vaccination cards before flying into Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is exempt from the federal testing requirements for testing to re-enter the U.S.
Conveniently located near the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel is on Isla Verde Beach minutes from Old San Juan. Among its many amenities are four pools, villa rooms, live entertainment, a spa, and fitness center, paddleboards, luxury cabanas, and signature dining.
And, of course, there’s the convention itself, which will kick off on Wednesday, Dec. 1, with an afternoon Executive & Finance Committee meeting followed by the opening reception and registration from 6-9 p.m.
The Thursday agenda continues with an 8 a.m. breakfast, on the terrace if the weather cooperates, and committee meetings from 9 a.m. to noon. There’s also a legislative meeting at 9 a.m., with an environmental/industry-export meeting at 10 that will include discussion and updates on food safety guidelines for the dry bulb onion and also on the supply chain.
A membership/promo meeting will start at 11, and lunch will be served at noon. Afternoon meetings will begin at 1:30.
The evening activities for Thursday will run from 6-9 p.m. in downtown San Juan and will include dinner, with more details to come.
Friday, Dec.3, begins with a breakfast meeting at 8 a.m., followed by the general session and trustee meeting, called to order by NOA President Doug Bulgrin. Reports are scheduled from Executive Vice President Greg Yielding and Director of Public and Industry Relations René Hardwick as well as from committees and officers. At 9:45 a.m. USDA Deputy Director Travis Hubbs will discuss the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
Thursday’s lunch is an “on your own” activity, and the convention will resume with a reception from 5-6 p.m. and the banquet and raffle from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday includes the 8-9:15 a.m. NOA crop report breakfast.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this year’s convention at https://www.onions-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2021-Sponsorship-Form.pdf.
OnionBusiness.com is a proud Gold Sponsor of the 2021 National Onion Association Convention.
