World Potato Congress Webinar - 'Introducing the World Potato Congress in Ireland' presented by Liam Glennon

The World Potato Congress is very excited to announce its first webinar of 2022. In preparation for the World Potato Congress being held from May 30 to June 2, 2022 in Dublin, Ireland, Liam Glennon, Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Irish Potato Federation will present this webinar on January 12, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard time (USA/Canada).

Presentation Outline

The presentation will answer the question 'Why host a World Potato Congress in Ireland' and will briefly explore the unique relationship that exists between Ireland and the potato, the infamous arrival of Phytophthora infestans in the mid 1800's and the consequent legacy effect on the social history not just of Ireland but of many other countries.

WPC programme structure and content will be highlighted, including pillar topics, keynote speakers, industry and technical tour options.

To conclude the presentation, Liam will be joined by Kasia Mahony, Project Manager, Keynote PCO (our Professional Conference Organising Partner) who will cover the 'one click' Congress registration process, excursion options and the very latest on Covid-19 safety precautions to be adopted at WPC 2022.

After qualifying from University College Dublin with a B.Agr.Sc. degree in 1973, Liam joined the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as an Inspector in Quality Control and Plant Health and subsequently as a Marketing/ Development Executive in The Irish Horticultural Development Board.

After twenty years in the Irish public service, he joined the private sector as a Purchasing/Sales Executive with Sam Dennigan and Company UC, a global fresh produce company.

In the private sector, he also served as President of the Irish Potato Federation (IPF) for twelve years, chaired the Irish Organising Committee responsible for hosting the Europatat Congress in Killarney in 2005 and also the UN International Year of the Potato Committee in Ireland in 2008.

Liam first came into contact with World Potato Congress Inc. in 1997, when he was asked to give a presentation on Ireland and the Potato at the World Potato Congress in Durban, South Africa.

Twenty five years later, the connection remains as he is currently Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee for the 11th World Potato Congress to be held in Ireland.