Portfolio Update

Annual Conference Offers Fresh Set of Eyes on Ongoing Projects

By Ben Craker, Portfolio Manager

AgGateway’s Annual Meeting and Conference almost upon us, and I think those of you making the trip to Nashville will be pleased with the content and the networking opportunities.

The Conference Committee has been hard at work scheduling speakers, working through the agenda, and refreshing some of our networking opportunities to bring you an exciting, thought-provoking, and insightful conference. Here are a few of the things I’m most excited for:

— An earlier networking reception on Sunday evening, kicking off the conference. We know that one of the primary reasons you attend AgGateway events is to build and renew your professional networks. By having a reception before the formal start of the meeting, you can get a start on those conversations that identify business pain points, solve persistent problems, and most of all build personal trust for when you need it most. The earlier reception also allows you a “free” night on Tuesday for offsite trading partner dinners and client meetings.

— The speaker lineup is exceptional. Our industry grapples with the advancement of technology and its impact not just on our companies but also on our customers’ businesses. And AI is central to much of that transformation. Teddy Bekele and Paul Windemuller will bring perspectives that will energize and challenge us all to think differently about how we do what we do, and for whom. We also wrestle with the realities of geopolitical forces in energy, logistics, and regulation. We’re thrilled to welcome back Mary Kay Thatcher and Daren Coppock to offer their insights on the coming years following the U.S. mid-term election and implications for agricultural business.

— Recognizing the hard work of our volunteers and members is always a highlight of the annual meeting. We celebrate the individuals and organizations who have made meaningful contributions to developing and implementing standards, promoting interoperability between companies and industry segments, and encouraging others along the way. The AgGateway in Action, Ron Storms Leadership, and Ron Farrell Attitude awards all recognize achievement and service not just to AgGateway, but to their own companies and the industry at large.

We also have a great cohort in the Gateway to Ag Careers group, and there will be opportunities to hear what the current generation of undergraduate and graduate students are working on in their programs. We have plenty of working and education sessions as well. It’s going to be a great three days that are relevant for our attendees, and I look forward most to seeing you there.