Schedule is subject to change. Check back regularly for updates.
7:30 a.m.: Optional Aloha Tofu Factory Tour 1 departs
8:40 a.m.: Optional Aloha Tofu Factory 2 departs
8 a.m.-12 p.m.: Trade show booth setup
10 a.m.: Registration opens
1-1:15 p.m.: Opening ceremony
1:20-1:40 p.m.: A message from home: Trade insights from Ag Counselors
Takashi Sadakane, Embassy of Japan
Pham Quang Huy, Vietnam Embassy in the USA
1:45-2:30 p.m.: Keynote
Nicole Atchison, Puris
Introduced by Jordan Atchison, SSGA board member
2:40-3:25 p.m.: Quality and assurance through the U.S. Identity Preserved program
Fawad Shah, Minnesota Crop Improvement Association
John Zheng, Indiana Crop Improvement Association
Moderated by Shane Frederick, SSGA
3:30-4:30 p.m. About Food Export Branded Program
Molly Burns, Food Export Midwest and Food Export Northeast
4:45 p.m.: Buyer/supplier introductions
Group photo
5-6 p.m.: Visit trade show
6:30-8:30 p.m.: Welcome reception on hotel recreation deck. Spouses/guests not attending the Summit are welcome to join. Purchase a meal ticket here.
Featuring a soy food and specialty grains tasting event. Heavy appetizers will also be served.
7:30-8:30 a.m.: Breakfast
8:30-8:40 a.m.: Welcome
Randy Duckworth, SSGA
8:40-9:25 a.m.: Keynote – Perspectives on the food and agriculture industries
Paul Maass, Scoular
9:30-10:15 a.m.: Economic situation and consideration of North and Southeast Asia
Ken Eriksen, Polaris Analytics and Consulting
Introduced by Ben Storm, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council
Break
10:30-11:20 a.m.: New alliances, new contracts, new policies, new year in transportation
Gary Williams, SSGA
Introduced by Tina Lyons, Double River Forwarding
11:25-11:45 a.m.: Advances on electronic documentation in trade
Alejandra Castillo, North American Export Grain Association
Introduced by Tori Sorensen, U.S. Soybean Export Council
11:45 a.m. Sponsor recognition
12-1:30 p.m.: Lunch and trade show
1:30-2:15 p.m.: Ingredient processing – Maintaining identity and quality throughout the facility
Dave Ewald, Bratney
Introduced by Robert Sinner, SB&B Foods
2:20-3:20 p.m.: Panel: Opportunities for ancient grains
Japnit Singh, Yamada Consulting & Spire
Elizabeth Benson, Northern Crops Institute
Introduced by Chuck Kunisch, SSGA board member
3:25-4:15 p.m.: Panel: Realizing the value of U.S. Identity Preserved
Gaurav Agrawal, Shree Radhe Rani Trading
Sok Hung Chang, Yang Li Yi Tofu
Jin Yoon, JINHWA FOOD
4:20-4:50 p.m.: Research, education and collaboration: Advancing partnership and understanding in the Indo-Pacific
Phanwin Yokying, East-West Center
4:50 p.m.: Announcements and Day 2 Closing
Visit trade show
6-8 p.m.: Cocktail hour and dinner
7:30-8:30 a.m.: Breakfast
8:30-8:40 a.m.: Welcome
8:45-9:40 a.m.: Panel: U.S. Identity Preserved suppliers – delivering a promise
Todd Sinner, SB&B Foods
Jake Noll, Richland IFC
JR Kassian, Genesis Seed Solutions
Introduced by Eric Kresin, Scoular
9:45-10:10 AM: Navigating growth in a shifting trade landscape (“Oh no, not tariffs!”)
Matt Tripodi, Euromonitor
10:10-11:05 a.m.: Panel: U.S. Identity Preserved growers – quality starts on the farm
Steve Peach, Michigan farmer
Pat Sullivan, Minnesota farmer
Mike Koehne, Indiana farmer
11:10-11:40 a.m.: Producing quality, sustainable U.S. Soy
Lance Rezac, USSEC Chair
With introduction video from North Dakota Soybean Council
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: New opportunities through targeted plant breeding
Tom Slunecka, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council
Introduced by Jon Miller, Brushvale Seed
12:15-12:30 p.m.: Closing and 2026 Summit announcement
12:30 p.m.: Lunch
1:30 p.m.: Optional Kualoa Ranch tour departs
Tour will return back to hotel by 6 p.m.