Trade team season is coming quickly, with the first groups of overseas customers scheduled to arrive next week for tours of the Midwest and to attend the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. Throughout the summer and fall, readers can follow along with these groups through the new calendar feature in this Global Update, on social media and, with the support of U.S. Grains Council (USGC) checkoff members, in local media.

A critical and unique part of USGC’s programming each year is team travel, with overseas directors and staff bringing buyers, scientists and other industry members to the United States to see the U.S. grain production system first-hand. These teams not only educate decision makers in export markets but also allow members of the U.S. industry to build personal relationships with their customers that can solidify long-term business and prompt new sales. All in all, the Council plans to sponsor more than 25 trade teams this year with participants from around the globe.

In a past edition of Global Update, USGC’s Director of Global Programs Kimberly Atkins gave an outlook for the teams headed to the United States this summer. Click here to learn more.

Look for additional information about these incoming teams in future editions of Global Update, from state grain organizations and on USGC social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.