More than 225 U.S. Grains Council (USGC) delegates from across the United States are set to begin meetings Monday in Montreal, Canada, to learn about emerging opportunities and competitive challenges in the global grain marketplace while setting priorities for the Council’s work to increase U.S. market share.
A highlight of the 55th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting, as the gathering is known, will be renowned speakers who will build on this year’s theme of Global Connections, Global Awareness.
Speakers’ topics will include a keynote presentation on the global coarse grains supply and demand; panels on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and global ethanol export dynamics; and a morning of discussion on how to be better advocates for scientific advancements, including biotechnology. Delegates will also hear from Byong Ryol Min, USGC’s director in Korea, who is retiring after more than 35 years of service, and Dr. Erick Erickson, USGC’s vice president, who is retiring after more than 30 years of service.
“We have a thought-provoking meeting planned in Montreal this week,� said USGC Chairman Ron Gray. “Our goal is for attendees to leave with a greater understanding of the global grain trade and what we need to consider in our work to maintain the United States reputation as the long-term, reliable supplier of coarse grains and co-products around the world.�
In addition to general sessions, USGC Advisory Teams (A-Teams) are scheduled to meet in Montreal to review both the Council’s operation plan, known as the Unified Export Strategy (UES), and the Council’s priorities and strategies for the upcoming year. Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore Council programs in breakouts focused on key areas of demand including the global ethanol trade; the Middle East and North Africa region; and Cuba and Central America.
“We have a schedule for the Montreal meetings packed with opportunities for delegates to get updated on factors impacting global grain trade and to provide us input from their sectors that can help our global staff in their work,� Gray said. “I’m looking forward to each of these discussions and time to hear from delegates on their thoughts on how our programs are doing.�
The Council’s summer annual meeting will conclude Wednesday with the Council’s annual business meeting, at which the Board of Delegates are set to elect new officers and directors.
More about the meeting is available online at http://grains.org/news-and-events/events/55th-annual-board-delegates-meeting-0 or on social media using the hashtag #grains15.