Alliance to Explore ‘Antibiotics Endgame’ During Stakeholders Summit Panel

Representatives from Panera Bread, Perdue Farms and Certified Angus Beef to Participate

 

March 12, 2014 – The Animal Agriculture Alliance announced today the speakers on a panel about antibiotics at its 13th annual Stakeholders Summit, themed “Cracking the Millennial Code,” to be held May 8-9, 2014 in Crystal City, VA. Representatives from Panera Bread Company, Perdue Farms and Certified Angus Beef will participate on the panel discuss their companies’ philosophies on antibiotics use.

The Stakeholders Summit is a one-of-a-kind conference that is attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislators, universities and government agencies. While the 2013 Summit explored the role transparency and effective communications efforts play in countering misinformation spread by animal rights activists and other detractors, this year’s Summit will focus on the most influential demographic in the U.S.: millennials.

“We’re excited to have such a distinguished panel of food industry leaders discuss this crucial topic—antibiotics use on farms,” said Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith. “Our panelists, representing growth-oriented, brand-name companies will share their philosophies about the use of antibiotics, future trends and, most importantly, the millennial interest in knowing more about how their food is produced.”

Panelists will include:

  • John F. Stika, Ph.D., Certified Angus Beef: John Stika, who holds a doctorate in meat science from the University of Kentucky, has extensive knowledge of the beef industry and the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. Now in his seventh year as the brand’s president, and with seven years of record sales, his leadership has reinforced grassroots programs for producers and licensed businesses to supply consumers worldwide with high-quality beef. In 2013, the brand’s partners delivered 865 million pounds of premium beef to more than 14,000 restaurants and grocery stores.
  • Dan Kish, Panera Bread Company: Dan Kish brings 25 years of culinary experience to his position as Vice President of Food for Panera Bread. Kish came to Panera Bread from the Culinary Institute of America where he served as Associate Dean for Culinary Fundamentals and an associate professor. Prior to that, Kish served as a professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, Kish learned traditional cooking techniques from his grandmothers while spending summers working the family farm. Kish has edited more than 1,000 recipes and has appeared on Good Morning America and Food Network and well as in publications, including The New York Times, Cooking Light and Martha Stewart Living.
  • Joe Forsthoffer, Perdue Farms: Joe Forsthoffer is the Director of Corporate Communications for Perdue, spent his formative years in rural Northeast Ohio. He received an undergraduate degree in Journalism and English at Ohio University before attending the University of Alabama Master of Fine Arts creative writing program. He worked in newspaper and magazine journalism with a stint in public relations for a museum and non-profit foundation before joining Perdue 15 years ago.

To learn more about these, and other panelists, be sure to visit the Alliance website. Early registration for the Alliance’s Stakeholders Summit ends April 8th, 2014—so be sure to register now to take advantage of discounted rate.

Details:

Early registration for the one-and-a-half day event is $375 for Alliance members and $425 for non-members; $325 for those in government or academia. Media and students interested in registering should contact Emily Meredith. Registration materials and a full event schedule (as of March 10, 2014) can be found on the Summit website.

This year, the Summit will be held at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel. Rooms are available at a special group rate of $195.00 per night on the hotel’s website or by calling (703) 413-1300. Conveniently located just one mile from Washington Reagan airport, this luxury hotel is nestled in the heart of Crystal City’s dining and business district.

As always, the Alliance’s Stakeholders Summit will be social! Be sure to follow the hashtag #AAA14 for updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-1411.

Get involved:

Show your support for the Alliance’s communications and educational efforts by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For a complete listing of the 2013 Summit sponsors or to watch video recordings from the 2013 Summit please visit the Alliance website. Current 2014 sponsors include: Conference Direct, Farm Credit, Watt Global Media, United Soybean Board, Cooper Farms, National Pork Board, Alltech, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council, Agri-Beef, Kemin Industries, and Meatingplace. Additional Summit partners include: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, MurphyBrown LLC, Merck Animal Health, Diamond V, Zoetis, Provimi, Vance Publishing and many others.

Please contact Emily Meredith, Communications Director at (703) 562-1413 to find out how to
get involved by sponsoring the event or donating to the silent auction.

About the Alliance:
The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation. Find the Alliance on Facebook and Twitter.

Category: Press Releases

Tag: Antibiotic Use, Stakeholders Summit,