The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) encourages farmers, members and other industry representatives to register soon for its 55th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting, scheduled for Montreal, Canada, from July 27 to 29, 2015. Registration is available online here.
Meeting attendees will learn about emerging opportunities and competitive challenges in the global grains marketplace while setting priorities for the Council’s work to increase U.S. market share.
“There is much to discuss, from the industry’s new ethanol export initiative and the two multilateral trade agreements currently being negotiated to challenges surrounding biotechnology and the United States’ rebounding market share around the world,� said USGC Chairman Ron Gray.
“After hearing from expert speakers on these topics and more, we hope our members and guests leave the meeting with a renewed focus on the global awareness and global connections that make the Council an effective advocate for expanded grain trade.�
USGC delegates will also have the opportunity to learn about the United States’ northern neighbor, the host country of the summer meeting.
“We share the world’s longest undefended border, so it comes as no surprise that Canada is the top export market for 35 U.S. states,� Gray said. “Our meeting in Montreal will be a great opportunity to create and build connections with this customer and partner.�
The meeting in Montreal will be the Council’s annual business meeting, with the Board of Delegates set to elect new officers and directors. Also, USGC’s Advisory Teams (A-Teams) will review the Council’s operation plan, known as the Unified Export Strategy (UES), as well as priorities and strategies for the upcoming year.
“Attendees will take home an informed and innovative vision about the work necessary to keep the United States at the forefront of global agricultural trade,� Gray said. “Come to Montreal this summer to build connections with both new and old friends and become more aware of the Council’s impact.�
All potential attendees of the USGC meeting should have up-to-date passports. Passport information for those who do not hold a current passport or who hold a passport that expires before January 2016 is available via the U.S. State Department at http://www.state.gov.
More about the meeting is available online at www.grains.org or on social media using the hashtag #grains15. Registration is available here.