Pack your bags — the U.S. Grains Council is looking forward to seeing you next week at the 52nd Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Vancouver, Wash.

This year’s meeting will focus on topics ranging from the changing market dynamics due to transportation improvements in the Pacific Northwest to the Trans-Pacific Partnership to the West Coast perspectives on the 2012 election.

Keynote speaker Richard Karlgaard, Publisher of Forbes Magazine, will provide attendees with his innovative and always provocative perspectives on anticipating and understanding change – essential survival skills in today’s ever more competitive business world.

Other key issues will be explored, including the need for increased U.S. production, transportation, storage, and shipping capacity to serve growing markets in Asia. Vancouver offers a key point of perspective, as it is home to the Pacific Northwest (PNW) ports. These ports are second only to the Mississippi River system as an export channel for U.S. feed grains.

With the emergence of China in the last two years as the fastest growing export market for U.S. feed grains, infrastructure improvements along the PNW export corridor will become increasingly vital. As global food demand grows and competition increases, infrastructure improvement is essential to maintaining U.S. competitiveness.

“Vancouver USA is looking forward to the hosting attendees of the USGC Board of Delegates into our community on the shores of the powerful Columbia River. As one of America’s gateways to the world, we know attendees will enjoy discovering our incredible destination,� says Kelsey Chappelle, senior convention sales manager at the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office.

Attendees will also have a unique opportunity to see the PNW in action during trips to the Port of Vancouver, Export Grain Terminal (EGT), and the United Grain Corporation (UGC) Export Terminal.

The Council is excited for the upcoming meeting and looks forward to seeing you in Vancouver!