Annual Industry Conference to “Frame the Future” for Ohio Agriculture

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association will hold its annual Industry Conference Feb. 1-­2, 2017 at the Columbus Marriott Northwest, providing education and networking opportunities for agribusiness professionals, including the OABA Industry Dinner and OABA Annual Meeting.

This will be the fifth year the Industry Conference has been held, with more than 300 industry professionals attending the 2016 event.

“The OABA Industry Conference continues to be an exceptional event that provides agribusiness professionals with access to experts on current agricultural issues in Ohio,” said Chris Henney, OABA president and CEO. “At this year’s conference, we’re ‘framing the future’ by addressing upcoming challenges and opportunities in agriculture and ensuring our attendees are prepared to meet the needs of a diverse consumer base.”

Widely-­respected speakers and industry professionals will share their expertise during the two-day conference. Topics include:

• Consumer perceptions
• Generational differences
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Federal worker protection standards
• Biologicals
• Nitrogen management
• Food Safety Modernization Act
• Algal bloom management
• Climate variability

General session topics include a fertilizer and ag market economy update, consumer panel, generations discussion and climate update.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Mark Jewell, presenting on “Thriving Across Generations: Embracing Our Differences to Achieve Success.” Jewell is a speaker, trainer and coach who uses stories from his Minnesota farm past to teach lessons relevant to today. 

A complete agenda is available at www.oaba.net/events_conference.

Continuing education units (CEUs) are available for both Certified Crop Advisers and state licensed pesticide applicators that attend the conference.

As an added bonus to conference attendees, Ohio State University Extension will offer its agricultural fertilizer certification program at the conclusion of the Industry Conference. The course is required of those applying fertilizer (other than manure) to more than 50 acres used for agriculture production grown primarily for sale. For more information and to register, visit http://nutrienteducation.osu.edu/.

All-inclusive registration for the event includes admission to both days of educational programming and all meals, including the Industry Networking Reception & Dinner and OABA Annual Meeting. Registration fees are as follows:

Member: $260 ($335 after Jan. 6, 2017)

Non­Member: $400 ($475 after Jan. 6, 2017)

Individual day and reception/dinner-only registrations are also available, as are exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities. Visit www.oaba.net/events_conference for more information and to register. All cancellations must be made by Jan. 22, 2017 to be eligible for a refund.

Hotel accommodations for the Columbus Marriott Northwest can be made online by visiting www.oaba.net/events_conference or by calling 614­-791­-1000 and using the code “Ohio AgriBusiness Association. The deadline to make reservations is Jan. 22, 2017.