USSEC, the United Soybean Board (USB) and the American Soybean Association (ASA) hosted the first Forum for Sustainable Supply of Grains and Oilseeds for the Americas Nov. 13-15 in Pureto Vallarta. The event drew a large audience with more than 80 top executives from international soy trading companies, U.S. exporters, USSEC member companies and U.S. grower leaders to discuss key issues affecting the oilseed and grain trade in North and South America.
Experts from Mexico, Central America, and the Andean and Caribbean regions presented valuable market intelligence highlighting drivers and inhibitors to expanding market share for U.S. soy in the region. The U.S. supply and demand situation was presented by USSEC Board Member and USB Director Tom Rotello (Texas), ASA Treasurer and Trade Policy and International Affairs Chairman Bob Henry (Kansas), USB consultant John Baize, and Gary Martin, President and CEO of the North American Export Grain Association.
USSEC member company, Commodity and Ingredient Hedging LLC, was represented at the forum by Michael Shawver, Manager of Business Development. He presented a profile of a company that considers risk management and procurement strategies to reduce cost and be more competitive. Educating U.S. soy buyers on risk management and procurement skills is a key element of USSEC's strategy to provide business development tools to strengthen relationships with key customers in high growth international markets.
Other topics discussed during the conference included change management; biotechnology; food security; international certifications and regulatory standards; branding and digital marketing; and nutritional genomics. Audience response devices were utilized to allow conference participants to provide feedback in real time and helped drive meaningful discussions and informed conclusions.
Earlier this year, USSEC hosted buyers conferences in Southeast Asia and Europe. These conferences allow participants to discuss emerging issues and reflect on the challenges and opportunities that face the soy industry. Linking buyers and suppliers for meaningful discussions and networking opportunities translates into an effective platform for trading and relationship building. This was the first such conference held in the Americas and another first-time buyers conference is scheduled for Dec. 12-13 in Dubai, U.A.E. when USSEC will launch its new office there covering the Middle East, North Africa and Asia Subcontinent region.
The full program and speaker profiles are available in both English and Spanish on the forum website: www.forodesuministrosustentable.com.