Media Registration Now Open for USMEF Board Meeting

Registration is open for reporters and editors attending the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Board of Directors Meeting and Product Showcase. The meeting will be held May 25-27 at the Hyatt Regency in St. Louis. The registration fee is waived for working media, so to register please email Joe Schuele, USMEF vice president of communications, or call him at 303-547-0030 with your contact information and the name and address of your news outlet.

Featured speakers at Wednesday’s opening general session include Jonathan Cordone, who was recently appointed USDA deputy under secretary for farm and foreign agricultural services; Jesus Madrazo, vice president of corporate engagement for Monsanto; and Richard Fordyce, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. This session will also feature an address by USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng and a strategic plan update from USMEF Chair Roel Andriessen.

USMEF’s regular press conference/media conference call will be held Thursday, May 26 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time (7:00 a.m. local time). Call-in details will be distributed in advance.

Thursday’s general session will include a panel discussion on Russia’s role in global meat trade and how Russia’s declining meat imports have impacted pork and beef trading patterns worldwide. This will be followed by a discussion of how currencies and exchange rates affect meat trade, featuring USMEF Economist Erin Borror and Michael Drury, chief economist for McVean Trading.

At Thursday evening’s product showcase, attendees will have an opportunity to see a wide range of U.S. beef, pork and lamb products displayed for teams of international buyers from across the globe.

Friday’s closing business session will include an address by John Becherer, CEO of the United Soybean Board, and USMEF Executive Committee member Dean Meyer will offer comments on the value red meat exports deliver for U.S. corn producers. This will be followed by a USMEF staff panel discussion on value-added product trends and opportunities.

Hotel details are available here: Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. Please email Joe Schuele with any questions, and we look forward to seeing you in St. Louis.