Export Exchange 2018

Earlier this week, nearly 200 international buyers and end-users descended upon Minneapolis, Minnesota for the Export Exchange. Over the 3 day conference, attendees were able to meet and build relationships with more than 300 domestic suppliers, while also benefiting from educational sessions and networking opportunities.

The event was co-sponsored by the US Grains Council, the Renewable Fuels Association, and Growth Energy. Notable keynote speakers included:
– Roger Watchorn of Cargill Agriculture Supply Chain North America (CASCNA)
– Dr. Robert Johansson, Chief Economist at the Department of Agriculture (USDA)
– Florentino Lopez, executive director of the United Sorghum Checkoff Program
– Mark Slupek from the Office of Trade Programs (OTP) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
– Dr. Kurt Rosentrater, executive director of the Distillers Grains Technology Council
– Dr. Daniel Whitley from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
– Daniel R. Pearson, principal of Pearson International Trade Services, LLC

It was an honor to be invited back as the official photographer of this amazing conference for the second time in a row!

Horizons Unlimited North Carolina Event

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending and photographing the Horizons Unlimited traveler’s meeting at Iron Horse Lodge near Robbinsville, North Carolina. This is an event that I look forward to with great anticipation every year!

I packed my trusty Honda CB500X with my camping kit, camera kit, and a few day’s supplies. On the ride up, I made a detour to Givi USA in Charlotte to have replacement engine guards installed when my originals developed a defective hairline crack. I stayed with my friend Jenn and her awesome family for the night.  Jenn is a fellow TASOK student from our days growing up in Zaire. On the second leg of the trip, I took the scenic route down the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Iron Horse Lodge.

Horizons Unlimited was founded in the 80s by Susan and Grant Johnson during their RTW, or “Round The World” adventure. It’s a wonderful resource for overland travelers, especially those tackling grand trips on their motorcycles. But more importantly, it’s a fantastic gathering of kind, creative, and like-minded individuals who are full of life and passionate about this great planet we live on and the amazing people we share it with!  Horizons Unlimited has gatherings all over the world.  This particular one in North Carolina, hosted by Mike Kilpatrick, was celebrating it’s 15th Anniversary this year!

In addition to photographing the event, I also led a couple photography presentations.  I always enjoy sharing my love for photography with others!  Check out more details about the event at: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/events/north-carolina-2018. And check out the events page to see if there’s a meetup near you. Hopefully I’ll see you at one soon!!!

As always, it was a wonderful weekend. And I look forward to coming back next year. 🙂

Maui 25th Anniversary Celebration

While exploring the famed Red Sand Beach in Hana on the island of Maui, we met this wonderful couple that was there celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary! So we did a fun impromptu photo shoot for them and their beautiful family. 🙂

Incentive Event in Hawaii

Last week I had the opportunity to join an all-star team of amazing photographers to document all the action and adventures of a really neat corporate incentive trip on the island of Maui. While there, we took the opportunity to spend a few extra days driving the famed Road to Hana, hiking in Haleakala National Park, relaxing with Hawaiian green sea turtles on Ho-okipa Beach, and photographing the amazing sunset from the dormant volcano’s picturesque summit.

New Orleans Aerials

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of photographing an EXCITING assignment in New Orleans! For security reasons, I can’t share those photos. But I did manage to get a few fantastic aerial views of the city during some down time.

The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, also called St. Louis Cathedral, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the oldest cathedral in what would become the United States. The first church on the site was built in 1718; the third, built in 1789, was raised to cathedral rank in 1793. The cathedral was expanded and largely rebuilt in 1850, with little of the 1789 structure remaining.

The second is a view of the Mississippi River and downtown New Orleans over Woldenberg Park. Woldenberg Park was created in the late 1980s/early 1990s on land that had been occupied by old wharves and warehouses along the Mississippi Riverfront, in the upper French Quarter. It is named after philanthropist Malcolm Woldenberg (1896–1982) who helped fund the building of it.

Both images captured with a DJI Mavic Pro.

TCRM Conference at Francis Marion Hotel

Total Customized Revenue Management was formed to help hotels and resorts reach their full potential by using a customized approach to maximize revenue oportunities. With over 75 years of combined experience, TCRM understands hoteliers’ needs, and the demands of the day-to-day operation.

I had the privilege of photographing TCRM’s Annual Conference this year! All the top executives and key members of the operation gathered at the beautiful Francis Marion Hotel in historic downtown Charleston for three days of intense strategy meetings, keynote presentations, and round-table discussions. Aside from capturing the various activities, I had the honor of creating new head-shots and executive portraits of several leaders in the organization.

I truly had a great time working with TCRM. What a great group of talented individuals!!!

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.

Corporate Conference at The Gaillard Auditorim

Last week I had the honor of photographing a high-profile corporate event in Charleston with a wonderful group of amazing people! The company conference and meetings were held at The Gaillard Auditorium.

US Grains Council Board of Delegates Meeting

Last month I had the honor of photographing the US Grains Council‘s 56th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting in Louisville, KY. It’s been such a privilege to be a part of this wonderful organization!!!