USGBC 23rd International Marketing Conference – Final Day

I had the incredible opportunity to photograph the 23rd International Marketing Conference for the US Grains and Bioproducts Council (USGBC), held in the beautiful and culturally dynamic country of Panama.

The final day of the conference started off with a number of important Sector Meetings, where strategic decisions, and important trading policies were discussed. Experts were brought in to discuss the direction and vision of the council moving forward. After a brief break, everyone reconvened in the General Session. Sector leaders shared their key strategic decisions with the rest of the attendees. An expert panel, moderated by USGBC Chairman, Mark Wilson, then took the stage to discuss the expanding frontier of Ethanol. And finally the conference adjorned with some celebratory service awards being presented, and fun staff photos being taken! The USGBC 23rd International Marketing Conference in Panama City was another huge success!!!

To document this final day, I worked with two Nikon Z9 bodies—one paired with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 II and the other with the Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8. When I needed expansive room shots, I swapped in the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4. This setup allowed me to move seamlessly between intimate moments and grand perspectives, capturing the full story of an impactful day. To light the group photos at the end, I used a pair of Godox AD200 flashes, diffused with Westcott umbrellas.

USGBC 23rd International Marketing Conference – Welcome Reception

I had the incredible opportunity to photograph the 23rd International Marketing Conference for the US Grains and Bioproducts Council (USGBC), held in the beautiful and culturally dynamic country of Panama.

After our amazing experience of riding through the Panama Canal, hearing about its history, and seeing how the ships navigate through the locks, everyone got cleaned up and gathered for a fun Welcome Reception back at the Panama Hilton Hotel.  The casual event was located in a beautiful meeting space, next to the pool, on the 11th floor, overlooking the Panama Harbor.  Everyone had so much to talk about after what we’d just been through. So conversations were lively, and smiles were broad!

Once again, for smaller receptions like this, I went with a single Nikon Z9 bodies, paired with the versatile Nikkor Z 24-120 f4. I used a Godox V480 flash for bounce flash when needed. I really like how compact and manueverable this flash is, while keeping all the features and functions of their full-size flagship flashes. This setup allowed me plenty of flexibility and reach to capture all aspects of the evening!

USGBC 23rd International Marketing Conference – Panama Canal Experience

I had the incredible opportunity to photograph the 23rd International Marketing Conference for the US Grains and Bioproducts Council (USGBC), held in the beautiful and culturally dynamic country of Panama.

On the second day of the conference, attendees were invited on a private charter tour through the Panama Canal! Riding a private charter ferry through the Panama Canal is an unforgettable blend of engineering and natural beauty. We began at dawn on the Atlantic side at the Panama Cruise Terminal, surrounded by tiny sail boats and towering cargo ships, then made our way beneath the sweeping span of the Bridge of the Americas. Entering the Miraflores Locks and later the Pedro Miguel Locks, we felt the quiet power of the canal at work as the ferry gently rose within the massive concrete chambers. Passing under the Centennial Bridge, the scenery shifted from monumental man-made infrastructure to lush rainforest. The journey grew more serene as we followed the winding Chagres River toward the dock at Gamboa, wathcing pelicans, frigatdbirds, and ospray soar overhead. Busses awaited our return from this remarkable passage connecting oceans, industry, and wilderness in a single voyage.

To document the day’s outing, I worked with two Nikon Z9 bodies—one paired with the Nikkor Z 24-120 f4 and the other with the Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8, which had a Nikkor Z TC1.4x attached, effectively giving me a 100-250mm f4 focal length. I used a Godox V480 flash for fill when needed. And I used a DJI Mini 3 Pro for a few aerial drone photos when appropriate. This setup allowed me plenty of flexibility and reach to capture all aspects of the group’s outing!

USGBC 23rd International Marketing Conference – Welcome to Panama

I had the incredible opportunity to photograph the 23rd International Marketing Conference for the US Grains and Bioproducts Council (USGBC), held in the beautiful and culturally dynamic country of Panama.

After the first big day, highlighted by keynote presentations by U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, Kevin Marino Cabrera, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator, Ricaurte Vasquez Morales, everyone was treated to a fabulous Welcome to Panama Dinner Experience! Busses whisked attendees away from the Panama Hilton Hotel, and dropped the off at the Panama Cruise Terminal. The Panama Cruise Terminal is a modern facility situated on the Amador Causeway (Perico Island) at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, not far from Bridge of the Americas and the Miraflores Locks. Serving as the primary cruise port for Panama City, it features two berths capable of handling large ships, offering amenities like duty-free shopping, Wi-Fi, and easy access to city attractions.

To document the event, I worked with two Nikon Z9 bodies—one paired with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 II and the other with the Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8. I used a Godox V480 flash on each camera, bouncing the light when possible, to create nicely blended light on the subject that complimented the venue. This setup allowed me to move seamlessly between intimate moments and grand perspectives, capturing the full story of the exciting evening!

USGBC 23rd International Marketing Conference in Panama – Headshots

While photographing the 23rd International Marketing Conference for the US Grains and Bioproducts Council (USGBC), held at the stunning Hilton Panama overlooking the Panama City Harbor, I had the pleasure of creating headshots for new staff members.

I set up a makeshift studio in one of the conference rooms so that individuals could stop in when they had a break in their schedules. Lighting consisted of two Godox AD200 flashes for main and fill lights, plus a Godox V480 as a background separation light. I shot with a Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 70-200 f2.8.

The best part was when I was photographing Reese’s headshots and suddenly the window cleaner appeared outside the glass in the middle of our session!

USGBC 23rd International Marketing Conference in Panama – Day 1

I had the incredible opportunity to photograph the 23rd International Marketing Conference for the US Grains and Bioproducts Council (USGBC), held at the stunning Hilton Panama overlooking the Panama City Harbor. With its sweeping waterfront views and vibrant international energy, the venue provided the perfect backdrop for a day filled with connection, collaboration, and major milestones.

The day began with extensive networking and a series of Advisory Team Meetings, where industry leaders from around the world gathered to exchange ideas and strengthen partnerships. There’s always something special about capturing those candid conversations—the handshakes, the laughter, and the focused discussions that drive real progress behind the scenes.

The General Session was packed with highlights. Keynote presentations were delivered by U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, Kevin Marino Cabrera, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator, Ricaurte Vasquez Morales. Both speakers offered powerful insights into trade, infrastructure, and the importance of global cooperation. A defining moment of the session was the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between USGBC and the Panama Canal Authority—an exciting and historic occasion to witness through my lens. USGBC President and CEO, Ryan LeGrand, closed the session with thoughtful remarks that tied the day together beautifully.

To document the event, I worked with two Nikon Z9 bodies—one paired with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 II and the other with the Nikkor Z 70-180mm f/2.8. When I needed expansive room shots, I swapped in the Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4. This setup allowed me to move seamlessly between intimate moments and grand perspectives, capturing the full story of an impactful day.

USGBC – Chairwoman’s Reception in Panama

I recently had the pleasure of photographing the Chairwoman’s Reception at the 23rd International Marketing Conference for the US Grains and Bioproducts Council in Panama. The reception was held at the beautiful Hilton Panama, overlooking the stunning Panama City Harbor. As the sun set over the water, the view provided an incredible backdrop for an elegant and meaningful gathering of industry leaders from around the world.

The evening honored outgoing chairwoman Verity Ulibarri, who served as the guest of honor. Ulibarri operates a family farm in Grady, New Mexico, producing sorghum, wheat, forage crops and cattle, while also working as the agribusiness relationship manager at American AgCredit. Ulibarri has served on the Council’s Board of Directors since 2020 and previously served as the chairwoman for USCP in 2020. It was clear from the warm conversations and heartfelt interactions just how much respect and appreciation the organization has for her leadership. Special remarks were also delivered by President and CEO Ryan LeGrand, whose words reflected both gratitude for the past and optimism for the future of the council.

For this event, I kept my setup streamlined and efficient. I photographed the reception with a Nikon Z9 paired with the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4. This versatile combination works exceptionally well for smaller events. By switching the Z9 into DX mode, the lens effectively becomes a 35-180mm range, giving me added reach without changing glass. From capturing candid moments across the room, wide group shots, as well as tighter compositions during remarks, this simple setup covers it all.

Lighting was handled with a single Godox V480 mounted on camera, bouncing the flash off the low ceiling to create soft, natural-looking light that complemented the warm ambiance of the space.

It was an honor and a pleasure to document such an important evening. And I am grateful to have been part of it!