2006 Midwest Specialty Grains Conference

Return to Home Page Return to News Release Page June 7, 2006 For Immediate Release
Midwest Specialty Grains Conference Set for August 22-24 in Minneapolis
Fargo, N.D., USA – “Linking the World of IP to the Midwest” is the theme for the Midwest Specialty Grains Conference, set for August 22-24. Midwest Shippers' Association will host the third annual conference at the Ramada Inn Mall of America, Bloomington, Minn. Some of the highlights of the conference are presentations on the U.S.-Asian freight market, food safety, international and domestic market development, and IP marketing, and a trade show that features over 50 exhibitors. According to Bob Zelenka, executive director of the Midwest Shippers' Association, “The conference is a great opportunity to bring together all the people who participate in this unique niche marketplace. We feel that our agenda has a variety of speakers who will offer some great information/education and market opportunities.” This year's conference organizers expect over 350 participants and exhibitors. Last year, the conference attracted people from 26 states and 11 countries. The American Soybean Association (ASA) will sponsor a trade delegation from Taiwan. A member of the delegation will speak on the emerging IP market of Taiwan. Allan Routh, president of SunOpta Grains and Foods Group, Brampton, Ontario, Canada, will open the first general session. He will discuss the North American IP market potential. Intermodal transportation of commodities will be featured in two sessions. The governors of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota have been invited to share their state's perspective about intermodal transportation. Albert Pierce, executive director of Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA), Oakland, Calif., will speak on the U.S.–Asia freight market. “Mr. Pierce represents a group of steamship lines that service the Asian market. They collaborate to establish prices and rates, which has a major impact on import and export freight costs. We look forward to hearing from this major player in transportation,” says Zelenka. Speakers will address food safety from the domestic and importer's perspectives. Lance Reeve, American Institute of Baking, will discuss food safety, federal regulations and traceability from the domestic point of view. Nobuo Iwasawa, president and CEO of Health Business Magazine , Tokyo, will explain his country's new pesticide regulation during his presentation on the Japanese food safety culture. The Trade Show will feature an array of IP specialty grain products, services, and market opportunities. Carroll Duerr, general manager of the conference, says, “We are expecting about 50 vendors to exhibit at the trade show. Industry people, processors, farmers who have their products for sale, and suppliers will find this conference a great opportunity to connect with other people involved in this specialized market.” The conference will conclude with tours in the Minneapolis area. In addition to a food cooperative, the group will visit a Twin City container yard and the Mill City Museum. Major sponsors for the conference include: Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Iowa Soybean Association, Minnesota Grain and Feed Association, North Dakota Soybean Council, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Northern Crops Institute, The Cooperative Foundation, Eurofins Genescan, South Dakota Wheat Commission, and the Twin Cities & Western/Minnesota Prairie Line. For more information on the conference, visit www.grainconference.com or call the Midwest Shippers Association Office at 612-252-1453. The Midwest Shippers' Association (MSA), a regional cooperative association consisting of specialty grain growers and processors, promotes and facilitates the marketing of specialty grains from the upper Midwest of the U.S.

June 7, 2006

For Immediate Release

Midwest Specialty Grains Conference Set for August 22-24 in Minneapolis

Fargo, N.D., USA – “Linking the World of IP to the Midwest” is the theme for the Midwest Specialty Grains Conference, set for August 22-24. Midwest Shippers' Association will host the third annual conference at the Ramada Inn Mall of America, Bloomington, Minn.

Some of the highlights of the conference are presentations on the U.S.-Asian freight market, food safety, international and domestic market development, and IP marketing, and a trade show that features over 50 exhibitors.

According to Bob Zelenka, executive director of the Midwest Shippers' Association, “The conference is a great opportunity to bring together all the people who participate in this unique niche marketplace. We feel that our agenda has a variety of speakers who will offer some great information/education and market opportunities.”

This year's conference organizers expect over 350 participants and exhibitors. Last year, the conference attracted people from 26 states and 11 countries. The American Soybean Association (ASA) will sponsor a trade delegation from Taiwan. A member of the delegation will speak on the emerging IP market of Taiwan.

Allan Routh, president of SunOpta Grains and Foods Group, Brampton, Ontario, Canada, will open the first general session. He will discuss the North American IP market potential.

Intermodal transportation of commodities will be featured in two sessions. The governors of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota have been invited to share their state's perspective about intermodal transportation.

Albert Pierce, executive director of Westbound Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (WTSA), Oakland, Calif., will speak on the U.S.–Asia freight market. “Mr. Pierce represents a group of steamship lines that service the Asian market. They collaborate to establish prices and rates, which has a major impact on import and export freight costs. We look forward to hearing from this major player in transportation,” says Zelenka.

Speakers will address food safety from the domestic and importer's perspectives. Lance Reeve, American Institute of Baking, will discuss food safety, federal regulations and traceability from the domestic point of view. Nobuo Iwasawa, president and CEO of Health Business Magazine , Tokyo, will explain his country's new pesticide regulation during his presentation on the Japanese food safety culture.

The Trade Show will feature an array of IP specialty grain products, services, and market opportunities. Carroll Duerr, general manager of the conference, says, “We are expecting about 50 vendors to exhibit at the trade show. Industry people, processors, farmers who have their products for sale, and suppliers will find this conference a great opportunity to connect with other people involved in this specialized market.”

The conference will conclude with tours in the Minneapolis area. In addition to a food cooperative, the group will visit a Twin City container yard and the Mill City Museum.

Major sponsors for the conference include: Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Iowa Soybean Association, Minnesota Grain and Feed Association, North Dakota Soybean Council, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Northern Crops Institute, The Cooperative Foundation, Eurofins Genescan, South Dakota Wheat Commission, and the Twin Cities & Western/Minnesota Prairie Line.

For more information on the conference, visit www.grainconference.com or call the Midwest Shippers Association Office at 612-252-1453.

The Midwest Shippers' Association (MSA), a regional cooperative association consisting of specialty grain growers and processors, promotes and facilitates the marketing of specialty grains from the upper Midwest of the U.S.