Country Elevator to Focus on Election's Impact on Industry

The most anticipated industry event for country elevator professionals is right around the corner. The National Grain and Feed Association’s 41st annual Country Elevator Conference and Trade Show will take place Dec. 9-11 at the Hilton Omaha/CenturyLink Center in Omaha, NE.

As usual, the event’s agenda will provide just the right mix of political commentary and grain handling and merchandising tips, delivered by high-profile and informative speakers. With the presidential election only one month before the event, it’s hard to say what changes may be on the horizon for 2013, but no matter the election’s result, the conference is sure to address how the political climate affects the feed and grain industry.

Todd Kemp, NGFA’s vice president of marketing and treasurer, provided a sneak peek of some of the major topics to be featured this year, including:

• Outcomes and impacts of November elections
• Protecting customer funds in the aftermath of the MF Global and Peregrine Financial Group Inc.’s (PFG) scandals
• Maintaining grain quality in a difficult weather year
• The new Farm Bill; how it will work for farmers, country elevators
• Market outlook for 2013
• What end users want from grain/oilseed suppliers

Kemp said NGFA expects more than 500 country elevator managers and key employees to attend this year’s event, plus another roughly 200 show-related personnel. And with 90 exhibitors, attendees will have plenty to see as they walk the trade show’s floor.

The show opens Sunday, Dec. 9 at 4 p.m. and runs intermittently until 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10. Programming begins Monday morning and wraps up by the middle of Tuesday. In addition to general sessions, Kemp says planners will leave room for a few committee meetings — Country Elevator Committee and Membership & Marketing Committee — either before or following the conference.

For those looking to enjoy the city of Omaha, the host hotel, the Hilton Omaha/CenturyLink Center, is conveniently located just three blocks away from North Downtown Omaha. Notable sights include Omaha’s Old Market, Eppley Airfield and the Henry Doorly Zoo.

If you’re looking for opportunities to hear high-level discussions about the business issues that matter to you, to network with industry peers and interact with nearly 100 companies that cater to your business needs, then don’t wait to register for this year’s NGFA Country Elevator Conference & Trade Show. Visit www.ngfa.org for show details and to register for the event.