USSEC is holding the second of its series of three regional meetings this week in St. Louis. Meeting participants include stakeholders, regional representatives, and USSEC staff and contractors.
The first meetings, which took place last week, focused on North Asia and Southeast Asia. This week’s meetings are centered on Europe, Middle East/North Africa (MENA) and the Asian Subcontinent (ASC). The final series of meetings, which will take place in December, will focus on the Americas region.

The United Soybean Board’s (USB) new Long Range Strategic Plan went into effect on October 1 and USSEC’s regional meetings are designed to ensure that USSEC’s projects are aligned with the needs of its funding source.
Topics covered will include strategic landscapes such as a review of the global soy trade; funding; the outlook and strategic implications on various trade agreements; perspectives from the supply and demand side; a strategic review of how USSEC incorporates its founders and industry; how Global Utilization Plans (GUPs) are relevant to strategy in meal, oil, aquaculture and market access; and an assessment of regional markets. Discussions include how to best meet stakeholders’ needs; program building; project management discussions; and leadership topics.