New Mexico State University to host virtual chile pepper conference on Feb. 2nd Conference will be in virtual setting Carlos Andres Lopez LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The world’s largest conference dedicated to chile peppers will take place in an all-virtual format this year. New Mexico State University, the Chile Pepper Institute and Extension Plant Sciences will host the 2021 New Mexico Chile Conference from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 2 on Zoom. “We have put together an exceptional program that will draw many individuals from all aspects of the industry, and because it is virtual, we are attracting international registrants,” said Liza Lopez, program coordinator for the Chile Pepper Institute.