Grains Council makes final preparations for annual conference

Speakers and topics are being finalized for the U.S. Grains Council’s (USGC) 13th International Marketing Conference and 56th Annual Membership Meeting that will take place in Sarasota, Florida, Feb. 15-17.

Topics will include the impact of the upcoming presidential election on global grain trade and updates on priorities for grain trade policies. MAIZALL, the international maize alliance, will have a presentation on the world grain markets from the perspective of Argentine trade partners.

Five speakers are confirmed for the event: author and political analyst Charlie Cook who will deliver a keynote presentation; Ambassador Darci Vetter, the chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative who will speak on the Trans-Pacific Partnership and its impact on grain exports; Alberto Morelli from MAIZALL, who will address the changes in the Argentinian farm market; Joel Widenor of the Commodity Weather Group, who will speak on the short- and long-term impact of climate change on grain crops; and a panel including USGC Regional Director of the Western Hemisphere Marri Carrow, USGC Director in Mexico Julio Hernandez and USGC Consultant in Canada Neil Campbell, who will explore the long-term impact of NAFTA on the North American Grain Trade.

Conference and meeting registration must be completed by Thursday.