Western Growers Association will hold its 89th annual meeting Nov. 2-5 at the Las Vegas Bellagio in Las Vegas, NV, where Gary Pasquinelli will be honored with this year's Award of Honor and attendees will be entertained by the one-and-only Jay Leno.

The reception and dinner honoring Pasquinelli will be held Nov. 4 in the Bellagio Ballroom. Pasquinelli, a second-generation Arizona farmer who is chief executive officer and co-owner of Pasquinelli Produce Co. and a WGA board member, will be honored for a lifetime's worth of work and accomplishments in the produce industry and for his humanitarian achievements in his community and within his company.

Pasquinelli is also a deacon in the Catholic Church, which has helped guide the way he manages his business.

"I believe that the strongest part of my company is the folks out there working in the fields," Pasquinelli said in a press release. "Without them, we couldn't do what we do. They are entrusted to me to take care of. They are God's children just like I am. They are brothers and sisters, so I have a duty to take care of those folks. My motto has always been, 'On the face of a dollar bill, you have the image of Washington. On the face of a farm worker, you have God's image."

Following the Award of Honor reception and dinner, attendees will experience a part of late night television show history when comedian, Emmy award winner and longtime host of the "The Tonight Show" Jay Leno will be the featured performer to close out the evening's events.

The annual meeting will also be filled with a number of events worthy of its host city.

Rabobank is sponsoring the men's and women's 2014 golf tournament with breakfast and lunch being held Nov. 5 at the award-winning championship TPC Las Vegas golf course, which will feature a high-roller, Las Vegas-themed Million Dollar Hole-in-One Opportunity open to all tournament players with a single-payout prize. Taylor Farms of California is sponsoring the Hole-in-One challenge.

BRAVO Network's "Top Chef" finalist Louis Maldonado will be in action at one of the scheduled workshops in the Bellagio's Tuscany Demonstration Kitchen Nov. 3. Maldonado plans to dazzle the crowd by preparing a wide-variety of fresh fruit and vegetables in unique and interesting ways.

Randy Hause, WGA's vice president of membership and chief planner of the annual meeting said this year's event has all the energy and excitement one would expect to find in a place like Las Vegas.

"In planning the Western Growers 89th annual meeting, we wanted to capture the glamour and excitement that is Las Vegas and translate that into our program," Hause said in the press release. "Emphasizing entertainment, food and high stakes opportunity is appropriate for a Vegas event. By having Jay Leno, one of America's funniest and most beloved comedians ready to entertain, Bravo's Top Chef Louis Maldonado, prepared to delight our audience with healthy gastro-creations and a million dollar hole-in one golf challenge during our golf tournament at the TPC Las Vegas -- as well as a host of other exciting events -- we think we accomplish that. We can't forget that our event is being held at the Las Vegas Bellagio, a hotel that epitomizes the elegance and glamour of the city."  

The lunch on Nov. 4 will feature WGA Chairman of the Board Bruce Taylor, the chairman and CEO of Taylor Farms of California, who will give the traditional chairman's address.

In addition to Chef Maldanado's workshop there are three other workshops taking place Nov. 3-4. "Managing Compensation" is a workshop that will feature Google's director of compensation, Frank Wagner, and WGA Senior Vice President Karen Timmins. Wagner and Timmins will share compensation philosophies so participants will know how to hire and retain the best talent in the fresh produce industry.

Another workshop, "The Ebb and Flow of Water and Cash: Challenges Facing Our Industry," is a panel discussion of experts that will examine how companies can deal with changing conditions associated with two of agriculture's biggest resources — water and cash. It will be moderated by Stephen Patricio of Westside Produce.

The last workshop features expert panelists from the health care industry such as Web MD and Anthem Blue Cross. It will be moderated by David Zanze, president of Pinnacle Claims Management. The panel will discuss how companies can build a corporate culture of health and maximize health benefits through customized wellness programs.

Last but not least, participants will have the opportunity to attend the Political Action Committee Lunch and the Supplier's Event Nov. 3. The PAC Lunch boasts two nationally known syndicated columnists, Rubin Navarrette and Michelle Malkin, who will discuss their very different takes on the immigration reform debate.

The supplier's event is usually one of the most well attended and entertaining events of the meeting. This year's event is being held at the Hyde Lounge in a private nightclub overlooking the Bellagio Fountains.

For more information, go to www.wgannualmeeting.com.