10/27/06 Spuds promoted on Wash gov`s trip

Farm and Ranch October 27, 2006 Representatives of the Washington State Potato Commission were part of that recent Trade Mission to South Korea and Taiwan led by Governor Chris Gregoire. They included Executive Director Chris Voigt and Commissioners Angela Pixton and Phil Schoening. Voigt says they were able to accomplish three things. Voigt: "One was to meet with governmental officials. In Korea we talked about free trade negotiations going on between our two countries and there are some opportunities for expanding exports to Korea. We also did customer visits trying to figure out we can maintain business with our current customers and actually improve their businesses so they can grow and use more of our products. Then we also did some promotions. We worked with Burger King and Costco and got the governor involved and had a lot of fun with that." Voigt says the governor had a good sales pitch when meeting with customers. Voigt: "We will sell you airplanes. We'll sell you wine. We'll sell you software and would you like fries with that? So it was a lot of fun to get the governor involved in some of that promotional work and speaking on behalf of the Washington potato industry." Voigt credits the governor for proceeding with the trip despite the tensions with North Korea over its nuclear test. Voigt: "It showed Korea that we are concerned about you and this is not the time for your friends to back away but to embrace you. I think it really went a long way in furthering our relationship with Korea." That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.