US Grains Council 58th Annual Membership Meeting

Developing Markets. Enabling Trade. Improving Lives. These are the core values of the U.S. Grains Council.

The council’s 15th International Marketing Conference and 58th Annual Membership Meeting took place at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Houston, TX.  Chairman Deb Keller, writes:
“We believe this gathering will be an excellent opportunity for you to engage directly on the most critical issues facing our Friends and Frontiers. Our A-Teams will hold their yearly in-depth sessions to help set our global strategy, and you will have the opportunity to meet directly with the Council’s international directors. The sun never sets on the efforts of these advocates to develop critical markets, dismantle trade barriers and serve our customers overseas. We hope all of our members will interact with these invaluable experts on short-term marketing opportunities and long-term demand growth for U.S. feed grains and co-products like ethanol and DDGS.”

As an international destination event photographer, it’s my pleasure to capture and document amazing conferences and meetings around the globe. The US Grains Council is one of my absolute favorites to photograph each year! With an incredibly dedicated staff, an enthusiastic membership group, and a healthy message for the world…it’s always a joy to work with this great team.

US Grains Council at The Stampede

Developing Markets. Enabling Trade. Improving Lives. These are the core values of the U.S. Grains Council.

The Washington D.C. based organization develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 13 key markets and representatives in an additional 15 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability.

Last month, I had the honor of photographing the USGC’s 58th Annual Membership Meeting in Houston, TX. After three days of hard work, keynote speakers, tough debates, and intense meetings, everyone got together for a fun event at The Stampede. The Stampede is a cavernous roadhouse event space featuring country & western concerts, a massive dance floor, pool tables, armadillo racing, and even a mechanical bull ring for the brave-of-heart!

Everyone had a great time, a well-deserved reward after an intense few days!

Ethanol Summit of the Americas in Houston

Photographing the inaugural Ethanol Summit of the Americas at The Westin Oaks in Houston, TX, was a real honor for me. I owe a HUGE Thank You to the US Grains Council for this assignment!

Industry and government officials from more than 15 countries in the Western Hemisphere met a few weeks ago at the Ethanol Summit of the Americas to discuss current and future opportunities for ethanol in the region.

The event was sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. These organizations and others in the U.S. agriculture and renewable fuels industries work together to promote the global use of ethanol and U.S. ethanol exports.

This Summit brought together recognized scientists and ethanol experts to engage with policymakers and provide information on the economic and environmental benefits of ethanol-blended fuel. The Summit also served as a launching point for expanded regional engagement markets in the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

“Increasing cooperation between ethanol industries supports economic growth for all countries involved,” said Tom Sleight, USGC president and chief executive officer. “Collaborative efforts like the meetings this week enable a greater understanding of the policy climate surrounding ethanol and help pave the way for expanded ethanol use throughout the region.”

The Summit highlighted the use of ethanol in transportation fuels to help meet a number of economic and environmental challenges, including improving air quality, extending the current fuel supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The U.S. ethanol industry’s efforts, including conferences like the Ethanol Summit of the Americas, are helping successfully establish the United States as a reliable and affordable source of fuel.

Here are a few of my favorite images from this fantastic 2-day conference!!!