Previewing the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference

Michael Drury, chief economist at McVean Trading, will speak on China’s role in the global economy

USMEF’s annual Strategic Planning Conference will kick off Wednesday, Nov. 4 in Tucson, Arizona. The conference represents a unique opportunity for USMEF members to help shape the organization’s strategies and priorities for the coming year, receive updates on global market conditions for beef, pork and lamb and meet with their peers in the international meat trade.

Wednesday’s opening general session will include a segment on China’s role in the global economy, with insights from McVean Trading Chief Economist Michael Drury and USMEF Senior Vice President for the Asia Pacific Joel Haggard.

Thursday will begin with an update on the recently completed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement from Sharon Bomer, assistant U.S. trade representative for agricultural affairs and commodity policy for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. This session will also include a discussion of current regulatory issues with the USMEF Technical Services Department staff.

Sharon Bomer will provide details on the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement’s agricultural provisions

Thursday’s agenda also includes meetings of USMEF’s standing committees – the Beef and Allied Industries Committee, Pork and Allied Industries Committee and Exporter Committee – as well as the Feedgrain and Oilseed Caucus. These meetings provide members with an excellent opportunity to pose questions to USMEF’s international directors as they discuss the latest market developments and promotional activities.

The conference concludes Friday with USMEF’s business session and election of new officers. Haggard and USMEF-Korea Director Jihae Yang will also present a case study on the rebuilding of Korean consumer confidence in the safety and quality of U.S. beef.

Please visit www.usmef.org for updates from the conference.