A highlight of the U.S. Grains Council’s winter annual meeting is the presence of the Council’s international directors from around the world. The 11th International Marketing Conference and 54th Annual Membership Meeting in Long Beach, Calif., will be no exception.

“The winter meeting is a real highlight for those of us in the field,” said Kurt Shultz, UGSC regional director for the Americas, based in Panama. “I always enjoy Council members when they have occasion to visit Panama, or the other countries in my region. But the winter annual meeting is by far the best chance I have to meet with the members in a systematic way. That is a major factor in keeping us sharp, and making us successful.”

Dr. Tommy Hamamoto (Japan), Byong Ryol Min (Korea), Kurt Shultz (Western Hemisphere), Clover Chang (Taiwan), Cary Sifferath (Middle East and Africa), Julio Hernandez (Mexico), Adel Yusupov (Southeast Asia), and Bryan Lohmar (China) will be in attendance at this year’s winter annual meeting.

While in Long Beach, the directors will provide insight on their programs, countries, and regions, and assist the Advisory Teams in development of the Council’s marketing priorities for the year ahead. This will include both one-on-one meetings with the individual A-Teams and a panel discussion of the patterns of emerging opportunities around the world.

“The winter annual meeting is a key element of the Council’s Unified Export Strategy development process, that is getting input and feedback from our member,” said USGC President and CEO Tom Sleight. “Even with modern technology, it is always a challenge to keep our members connected to the international staff scattered around the world. There is no substitute for getting together at least once a year to exchange ideas. I know that the members who join us in Long Beach will leave with a much better perspective on how the Council develops markets, enables trade and improves lives.”