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As facility managers face increasing pressure to improve efficiency, enhance safety protocols and integrate new technologies, the 2026 GEAPS Exchange offers targeted learning opportunities designed to address these critical needs. Grain handling safety remains a top priority for facility managers across the industry, making this year’s educational lineup particularly relevant.
Monday, February 23: Safety and operational excellence
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. sessions
The morning opens with three concurrent sessions addressing fundamental industry concerns. Jon Brown from MKC will lead Best Practices for Temporary Ground Storage, focusing on protecting grain quality during harvest surges when permanent storage reaches capacity. This session provides actionable guidance on site preparation, cover systems, and monitoring protocols that help ensure stored grain remains marketable.
Safety takes center stage with Serious Injury and Fatalities Prevention, where Joe Mylnek from Safety Made Simple and Anne Cook from Custom Agri Systems will share lessons learned from a tragic workplace incident. Their presentation emphasizes the critical role safety professionals play in protecting workers and the importance of thorough employee training.
Maintenance professionals will benefit from the panel discussion Optimizing Conveyor Performance, featuring experts from Dodge Industrial and Precision Pulley. This session explores proven maintenance strategies and best practices for maximum uptime, addressing common mechanical failures that contribute to system downtime.
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Sessions
Proper conveyor maintenance strategies can significantly reduce downtime and operational costs, which Blaine Hubert and Jonathan Bailey from AGI will demonstrate in Keep It Moving: Preventative Maintenance for Enclosed Belt Conveyors. Their presentation includes practical strategies for belt tensioning, freeze-down prevention, and safety monitoring.
Kristy Moore from KMoore Consulting will discuss Ethanol Market Development and Consumer Trends, bringing 30 years of experience to explore new opportunities for ethanol beyond traditional fuel applications. This session highlights increasing corn demand and emerging markets for ethanol use.
Leadership development receives attention with Erin Mies from People Spark Consulting presenting You Still Need to Speak to a Human. This interactive session addresses why AI cannot replace meaningful face-to-face conversations and provides tools for tackling performance challenges.
Elisabeth Freeman and Hans McDonald from Louis Dreyfus Company will guide attendees through DHA’s – How to Do Your Own and What to Do with the Action Items, offering practical approaches to conducting Dust Hazard Analyses and managing corrective actions effectively.
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Sessions
Modern leadership challenges take focus with Shaun Lee from 6 Levers presenting The Big Shift in Leadership. This session explores essential skills for leading in today’s dynamic workplace, emphasizing agility, collaboration, and psychological safety over traditional top-down approaches.
Ben Kice from Kice Industries will cover Dust Control and Safety: Best Practices for Baghouse Filters, addressing explosion protection, product retention, and different filter styles. With decades of experience, Kice will provide insights into airflow fundamentals and maintenance procedures.
Rail safety receives attention from Steven Fry of Northern Plains Railroad, who will present FRA-approved training on safe rail operations, covering switching procedures, equipment inspection, and derailment prevention.
Stacy Sebald will deliver A Mother’s Story: Lessons in Workplace Safety & the Aftermath, sharing the deeply personal impact of workplace fatalities and emphasizing that safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Tuesday, February 24: Technology and Quality Management
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Sessions
Tuesday opens with Jess McCluer from the National Grain and Feed Association providing an OSHA Update on emerging regulatory issues, policies, and enforcement within the grain handling industry.
Technology takes center stage with Adam Weiss from OPIsystems presenting CO2 Only Grain Monitoring: Dispelling the Myths. This session explores how CO2 alerts compare to other monitoring methods and what operators can realistically expect from this technology.
Connor Jackson from Dodge Industrial will discuss Sensor-Driven Maintenance: From Data Collection to Decision Making, providing practical insights into implementing condition monitoring systems that reduce downtime and improve efficiency.
Bruce Mackinnon from CPM rounds out the morning with Soybean Dehulling Process, exploring differences between hot and warm dehulling approaches and when to choose each method.
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Sessions
Effective grain storage management requires continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies, which Perry Nettles and Jeff Jones from Ecolab SPS will address in Maximizing Profits Through Grain Quality. Their session covers fumigation safety, monitoring strategies, and marketing bug-free commodities.
Josh Mulder from Mulder Engineering will present Understanding the Life Cycle of Electrical Equipment, focusing on evaluation, maintenance, and replacement strategies that prevent unexpected shutdowns and manage costs effectively.
Gary Bandel from Rahr Corporation will cover Confined Space Thinking Outside the Bin, explaining OSHA regulations, permit requirements, and the importance of detailed rescue plans beyond relying solely on emergency services.
Scott Korte from N.Hunt Moore and Associates concludes with Soybean Processing – Getting to know Extraction Technologies, taking attendees through different extraction methods, safety challenges, and mechanical alternatives to traditional processes.
