Registration and hotel block reservations close on July 3 for the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) 57th Annual Board of Delegates meeting, scheduled for Vancouver, Washington, from July 31 to Aug. 2.

The Council’s annual summer meeting will be an opportunity for members to gather, learn about emerging trade issues and provide input into the Council’s programs and outreach on trade topics.

Speakers scheduled will offer deep dives into emerging ethanol opportunities, room for feed grain demand growth in Frontier Asia, China’s growing influence and the U.S. approach to trade policy negotiations, including the coming modernization of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

“Drawing off our theme this year of Expanding Trade, Expanding Opportunities, our program at this meeting will help you learn about the critical issues impacting our ability to increase export markets and respond to growing demand for U.S. coarse grains and co-products,” said Chip Councell, USGC chairman and farmer from Maryland, in a letter inviting delegates to the meeting.

“The heart of our organization’s work is to build market development programs and expand opportunities for U.S. farmers and agribusinesses – and those will be the focus of this meeting.”

The Council’s Advisory Teams (A-teams) will also meet to review USGC’s progress toward the implementation of the 2017 Unified Export Strategy (UES). During a business meeting at the conference, USGC delegates will adopt next year’s budget and elect new officers and board members.

More information on the agenda, tours, hotel reservations and registration is available at www.grains.org/Vancouver.