Make Your Move At Top Producer Seminar

The current downturn in the ag economy is rivaled only by that of the 1980s. When everybody else is slowing down, it’s time for top operators to run.

Join your peers Jan. 24–26 in Chicago for the 2018 Top Producer Seminar. On Wednesday, corporate coach Bryan Dodge will help attendees fine-tune negotiation skills by creating a climate of win-wins.

[Register for Top Producer Seminar]

His 29 years of experience teaching people from all walks of life to reach their full potential have made him one of the nation’s leading choices as a professional speaker.  

Educational Inspiration. The exhibition hall and registration open at 8 a.m. Central time on Wednesday, Jan. 24 in the Grand Ballroom. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this year’s Trust In Food™ keynote speaker Townsend Bailey, director of U.S. supply chain sustainability for McDonald’s Corporation. Also that morning, ProFarmer’s Washington policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer will share updates on Congress.

Learning sessions and lunch will start promptly at 12:30 p.m. Producers will reconvene in the International Ballroom to learn four secret C-suite leadership tactics that farm executives should use, as shared by Top Producer columnist and CEO coach Sarah Beth Aubrey. A cocktail reception will follow her presentation. Capping off the evening will be the annual Top Producer of the Year banquet and award ceremony.

On Thursday morning, enjoy a taping of the “U.S. Farm Report” Market Roundtable featuring host Tyne Morgan and panelists Chip Flory of “Market Rally” radio, Peter Meyer of S&P Global Platt, Matt Bennett of Bennet Consulting and Brian Splitt of Allendale.

Breakout sessions will follow and include topics such as:

• Commodity marketing.

• Land rental agreements.

• Succession planning strategies.

• Tax planning.

• Tips for managing family conflict.

Look Ahead. Attendees will continue on Thursday with a series of engaging presentations, starting with lunch and an inspirational story about overcoming obstacles from Chris Koch, a Canadian producer who has achieved success by overcoming all odds. Dessert will follow.

Producers will return to the International Ballroom at 2:45 p.m. for an engaging conversation about mega trends in business as well as lender expectations in the new year. Producers will have another chance to network at a cocktail reception sponsored by Top Third Marketing.

Markets And Weather. On Friday, enjoy breakfast with our sponsors at 7 a.m., then listen in as Eric Snodgrass helps producers learn to mitigate weather risk. At 9 a.m. Jerry Gulke, president of the Gulke Group and a Top Producer columnist, will share his latest insights into the commodity markets.

The event will conclude at 10 a.m. with plenty of time to catch your flight or car ride home. 

Attend the 2018 Top Producer Seminar

When: Jan. 23–26

Where: Hilton Chicago Hotel Downtown 720 S. Michigan Ave.

What: Welcome reception on Tuesday, Jan. 23 with Trust In Food™ Symposium attendees; business education and Top Producer of the Year banquet on Wednesday, Jan. 24; “U.S. Farm Report” taping and business education with lunch keynote on Thursday, Jan. 25; and sponsor breakfast followed by two mainstage presentations on weather and the global ag economy on Friday, Jan. 26.

To register or for additional information about this year’s conference, visit TopProducerSeminar.com.

Thanks to our 2018 Top Producer Seminar Sponsors!

Premier Sponsors: Agrium (ESN), BASF, Bayer, Beck’s Hybrids, Case IH, Channel, Dow AgroSciences, John Deere, KCOE ISOM, DuPont Pioneer, Top Con, Top Third Ag Marketing, Valent

Co-Sponsors: CliftonLarsonAllen, CropZilla, Farmers Business Network, Farmers Edge, Rabo AgriFinance

Supporting Sponsors: Advance Trading, AgYield, BMO Harris, Farm Credit, Roach Ag, Richiger, Transition Point Business Advisors