KENNEWICK - Trade show exhibitors got the chance to promote their services to hundreds of potato industry members during the first day of the 2013 Washington-Oregon Potato Conference.

The annual conference kicked off Tuesday at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

Preston Stanley, of Colorado Certified Seed Potatoes, said he operates a booth at the Washington-Oregon conference almost every year. Stanley said he represents about 36 seed growers in Colorado and travels to similar conferences around the country. He said his growers do a lot of business in the Columbia Basin. Russet varieties are very popular in this region, Stanley said.

"Russets are rugged potatoes," said Stanley. "They do well here."

Stanley brought several specialty potato varieties, in addition to russets, to display during the expo. Even though russets prevail in the Columbia Basin, Stanley said the specialty potato industry is growing.

The Purple Majesty variety is very popular, he said.

"If you can get past its color, it's a very good potato," said Stanley. "It bakes, it mashes, and it can be turned into French fries."

Stanley said the Purple Majesty has the most antioxidants compared to other varieties. He also said there has been a lot of interest in the Mesa Russet variety.

"The Mesa Russet is a heavy yield," he said. "Just what you need in the Columbia Basin." Stanley said he has already spoken with several growers in the region interested in the specialty varieties he brought to the show. "It's a good show for us," he said.

Andy Torske, of Milestone Equipment, said his company brings various models of their machinery to the conference each year.

Although Milestone operates out of Blackfoot, Idaho, Torske said their equipment is sold through Evergreen Implement dealerships. According to the Evergreen website, there are dealerships in Othello, Moses Lake, Coulee City, Ritzville and Pasco. "We serve this whole region, so there's been a lot of interest," he said.

The conference continues until Thursday.