How can we create a sustainable future for animal agriculture? By building it together. And the 2023 Stakeholders Summit is your opportunity to help take the incredible progress we’ve already made to new heights. It’s your best chance to partner with stakeholders throughout the food chain and across commodities. To share ideas and form connections that will elevate the farm and food communities in ways that lift everyone. To collaborate toward vital progress. And to learn how you can do your part to help protect, sustain, and advance our entire community. Join the Animal Ag Alliance as “Partners in Progress” at the 2023 Stakeholders Summit, scheduled for May 4-5 in Arlington, Virginia!
Here are 10 reasons you won’t want to miss the 2023 Stakeholders Summit:
1. Join the Alliance as “Partners in Progress!”
Our annual Stakeholders Summit brings together farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, animal feed companies, animal health companies, processors, allied associations, and others involved in getting food from the farm to our forks. At this year’s event, you can expect to hear from an exciting lineup of speakers and panelists to get the tools to help strengthen our food chain and protect the future of animal agriculture.
2. Learn about the outside forces forging the future of farming and food.
There’s an epic battle going on over who will call the shots for the agriculture and food system of the future. On one side are “insiders” who understand the food system and are rightly proud of it. On the other side are “outsiders” who champion the in-vogue notion that the food system is “broken. These competing visions for the future of food and farming will ultimately take us to very different destinations. Former presidential agriculture advisor Ray Starling will discuss what he calls the “farmer versus foodie conundrum” that has the potential to impact food security for generations to come and how the food and farming communities can bridge the gap. Starling’s new book, “Farmers Versus Foodies,” is also available to attendees to purchase at a discounted rate during registration!
3. Congratulate our 2022 College Aggies Online scholarship winners!
College Aggies Online (CAO) trains the next generation of agriculture leaders by challenging students to get out of their comfort zone to engage online and on campus about current and emerging issues facing agriculture. The program connects participants and industry experts and provides students with opportunities to win scholarships. Students from Oklahoma State University, Auburn University, Iowa State University, California Polytechnic State University, and University of Nebraska – Lincoln were named the winners of the 2022 competition. Join us in congratulating them on their success during the CAO Recognition Ceremony!
4. Understand how to “speak bullishly” about animal agriculture’s path forward.
The conversation around animal agriculture is not always positive nor reflective of public sentiment around consuming animal-sourced foods. To close out the first day of the Summit, Joe Proudman, associate director of the CLEAR Center at U.C. Davis, will give a presentation shedding light on how the food and farming communities can speak bullishly about the future of animal agriculture and its sustainability progress. Joe’s presentation will focus on how members of the animal agriculture community can build content across platforms and use multiple techniques to share science-based and nuanced information, push back against misinformation, and confront extremist tactics that sometimes dominate the headlines. Joe will also discuss the need for the animal agriculture community to move beyond defensive communications and speak confidently about achievements made.
5. Meet the Alliance staff.
Meet the small but mighty team behind the Animal Agriculture Alliance and learn how they can serve your organization!
6. Make a bid at the Silent Auction to support College Aggies Online.
The Alliance will be holding a hybrid Silent Auction that will be live online April 26 – May 5 in conjunction with the 2023 Summit. Previous auction items have included artwork, jewelry, celebrity autographed items, gift baskets, gift certificates, food and wine, and sporting or entertainment event tickets. All funds raised from the Silent Auction will support the Alliance’s College Aggies Online program!
7. Recognize how activist groups are exploiting animals for their benefit.
The animal rights movement today has become more diverse, sophisticated, well-funded, and coordinated. A growing number of animal rights extremist groups are driving legislation, attacking brands, pushing negative news stories and utilizing other tactics. As the dynamic of these groups changes and their fundraising continues to grow, so must our tactics, intensity, and focus. In the closing Summit session, Jack Hubbard, partner and owner of Berman, will share the true intentions and strategies behind these extremist groups and how we can safeguard our future with messages and tactics proven to diminish their exploitation of animals and donors.
8. Enter to win a $100 gift card when you register and refer-a-friend to attend Summit!
What is better than attending Summit and winning $100? Attending Summit with a friend and you both winning $100! If you refer a friend to attend the 2023 Summit who has never attended a previous Summit and they list your name as the person who recommended them when they register for the event, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card!
9. Network with a diverse audience of stakeholders involved from farm to fork!
Take advantage of the Alliance’s unique attendee list of farmers, ranchers, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities, government agencies, media and other companies along the food supply chain! With nearly 400 attendees at last year’s Stakeholders Summit, you are certain to make valuable connections with people across our community!
10. Discover what Arlington, Virginia has to offer!
Reconnect with our community by exploring the D.C. area together! Attending sessions, meals, and receptions with colleagues around town is a great way to strengthen connections and help introduce you to new ones. Looking for an easy commute to Summit? All Summit events will be held at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View! Book your hotel room today and you can secure a discounted rate by booking before April 11 – availability is limited!
Will we see you there? Save your seat today!
