EAGLE, ID, March 16, 2006 - Mary Ann Summers (the "girl-next-door", shipwrecked along with six other S.S. Minnow castaways from the enduringly popular 1960's show, Gilligan's Island) is coming to Food Marketing Institute's (FMI) annual meeting for the second year in a row, thanks to the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC).
Dawn Wells, also known as Mary Ann, will be joining the IPC at this year's FMI show Sunday, May 7, through Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at Chicago's McCormick Place.
Dawn Wells is all set to "work the crowd" from her booth (9202) in the Idaho state section directly across from her friends at the IPC booth (9201 and 9203). Easy to find, Wells and her IPC friends' booths will be directly under the state of Idaho banner. Wells will pose for photos, sign autographs and reminisce about her Gilligan's Island experiences with friends and fans. As an added bonus, each visitor's name will be entered into a special drawing - the winner will be treated to a private dinner with the television icon and representatives from the Idaho Potato Commission.
Wells, a Driggs, ID resident, and the IPC have enjoyed a friendship for several years. The IPC is a major sponsor of Wells' family film and music festival, which is held every August in Idaho. Called SpudFest, the event is three years old and every year it has gotten bigger and better (visit the website at www.spudfest.org). In return for the IPC's support, Wells frequently is asked to help promote her state's famous potato.
"I am so grateful to the IPC for supporting my latest project, SpudFest, and I am particularly proud of the opportunity to promote the famous potato in return," said Wells. She continued, "We enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship and since the IPC and I are both confident that our 'products' are of premium quality, it really is easy to support them both."
Seth Pemsler, VP Retail, IPC, thinks that once again Wells will draw large crowds to the IPC booth at FMI.
"Each time we work with Dawn it's been an excellent experience. In person, she's as real and charming as her television character, Mary Ann," Pemsler said. "We also think the opportunity to enjoy a private dinner with Dawn will be great fun and certainly earn the winner some champion 'bragging rights' for years."
Although Idaho is famous worldwide for its premium potatoes, some consumers don't realize that only potatoes grown in the Gem State can wear the "Grown In Idaho" seal. Both Idaho? Potatoes and the "Grown in Idaho?" seal are federally registered Certification Marks that belong to the IPC. These Marks ensure that consumers are purchasing potatoes that have been grown in the state of Idaho.