The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is looking forward to seeing members, delegates and guests at its 13th International Marketing Conference and 56th Annual Membership Meeting set to take place in Sarasota, Florida, beginning Monday.

The Council’s winter annual meeting will have dynamic speaker presentations and offer time for committee input into USGC programs. Key topics at the meeting will include how the upcoming presidential election may impact the global grain trade to the long-term results of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Attendees will also learn about other key issues such as the status of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement and its importance to the U.S. grain export chain and the potential impact of the current El Niño cycle on this year’s crop season.

In addition, USGC Advisory Teams (A-Teams), which provide guidance and set priorities for the Council’s international operations, will meet over two days to review 2016 strategies and compare notes about the global grain trade.

“We are looking forward to a productive and informative meeting in Sarasota,� said USGC Chairman Alan Tiemann. “Besides our renowned line-up of speakers, our attendees will have the opportunity to provide input into the Council’s planning process during A-Team and commodity sector meetings.

“Our stakeholders who are in attendance will leave our meeting with a renewed dedication to the work that needs to be done to keep us expanding grain exports.�

Like recent USGC annual meetings, all materials will be available electronically for participants to download and access. Meeting attendees will be able to view USGC meeting materials on their smartphones, tablets or computers through a mobile app, Guidebook.

Questions on the paperless procedures and other meeting details can be directed to Council staff at grains@grains.org.

Additional information about the meeting agenda, location and more is available here.

See you in Sarasota!