Ambling tractors, zipping golf carts and throngs of people are all sure signs that the 43^rd Annual World Ag Expo in Tulare is in full swing, yet the internationally popular industry trade show doesn’t open until Tuesday.

On Monday, representatives of agricultural companies of all sizes busily set up displays, organized equipment and greeted members of the press prior to welcoming throngs of spectators sure to flock to the area from Tuesday through Thursday. And organizers are making sure that attendees will get the most from their visits.

Ag Expo organizers expanded this year’s seminar area to 1,200 square feet, keeping all the educational talks in one area. There are 60 seminars for visitors to attend, which are completely free to ticket holders.

Also new is a job finding pavilion open to job seekers and students. Counselors with AgCareers.com will be on-hand to help those looking for jobs sharpen up their resumes or interview skills. Students can use the time to look into careers in the ag industry, and several colleges, including California State University, Fresno and Cal-Poly, Pomona, will help locate internships.

As more than 100,000 people are expected to attend this year’s expo, staff have made it possible for attendees to map out their itinerary online before showing up. There is more than 2.6 million square feet of show space, including static displays and ride-and-drive exhibits that will let visitors try out things like tractors and skid-steer loaders.

Major companies like Kubota, Gehl and John Deere are among the vendors, showing off the latest and greatest products. Sales from the annual event fall into the $280 million range, said World Ag Expo Communications Director Steven Knudsen.

In addition to the sales that will be generated during the three-day event, revenue generated by hotels, restaurants and other visitor expenses will range around $1.2 billion according to Knudsen.

Over 10,000 attendees have already pre-registered online, and demographic information is collected from visitors to help generate the best exhibits possible.

“Our job is to put visitors in front of exhibitors,” said Mark Watte, one of 1,200 volunteers at the expo. Watte said the information collected by organizers helps to bring in the types of vendors growers and other attendees are looking for. “It’s purely ag.”

This year’s event also includes a tractor pull show, musical entertainment and plenty of innovative new products drawing vendors and visitors from around the world.

“It’s not just a local farm show,” Knudsen said.