

GENERAL SESSIONS
tuesday, january 5
POTATO EXPO KICK-OFF
THE POWER OF PURPOSE IN BUSINESS AND LIFE (AND POTATOES!)
9:30am-10:30am PT (12:30pm-1:30pm ET)
Sponsored by
Roy Spence
Cofounder& Chairman, GSD&M/Cofounder & CEO, The Purpose Institute
PRESERVING THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE: How the supply chain is scaling up efforts to address climate change and sustainability
12:00pm-12:45pm PT (3:00pm-3:45pm ET)
Climate change and sustainability initiatives around the globe
continue to drive discussions to identify and minimize agriculture’s impact.
Join the conversation on supply chain efforts in North America, and around the
world to identify and implement improvements in minimizing agriculture’s impact
throughout the industry. Panelists will also discuss ways for growers to
become engaged at the local, national and global levels to drive positive
change within agriculture.
Moderator:
Mike Wenkel, COO
National Potato Council
Panelist:
Chuck Conner, CEO
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Panelist:
Barb Glenn, CEO
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
Panelist:
Rod Snyder, President & CEO
Field to Market
Panelist:
Brandy Wilson, Global Sustainability Director
JR Simplot Company
WASHINGTON UPDATE: THE FUTURE OF CREDIT: Politics and policy debates impacting agriculture and rural communities
1:00pm-1:30pm PT (4:00pm-4:30pm ET)
Todd Van Hoose, President & CEO
Farm Credit Council
wednesday, january 6
THE NEW CONSUMER AT RETAIL AND FOODSERVICE
8:00am-9:30am PT (11:00am-12:30pm ET)
Sponsored by
So much has changed in where, what and how
people eat and this is changing demand for potatoes. This panel will
provide insights into the changes in consumer behavior towards food when eating
at home, purchasing at retail and at restaurants and how these are impacting
and will impact potato sales and demand. The four members bring expertise
in changing food patterns, the retail sector, foodservice and how this all ties
to the potato market. Presented in a question-and-answer format, this session
will help provide answers to questions everyone in the potato industry has been
wondering over this past year and as we look to the future. Make sure to bring
your questions for this excellent line up of speakers.
Moderator:
Blair Richardson, CEO
Potatoes USA
Panelist:
Jack Li, Haiku Master
Datassential
Panelist:
Jonna Parker, Principal, Fresh Center of Excellence
IRI
Panelist:
Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, President & CEO
Produce for Better Health Foundation
Panelist:
John Toaspern, CMO
Potatoes USA
GETTING INTO THE MOUTHS OF CONSUMERS
12:00pm-12:45pm PT (3:00pm-3:45pm ET)
Not only has this has
been an incredibly unusual year, it could bring about long-term changes for
consumers and growers alike. Join in on a discussion with industry thought
leaders on challenges, opportunities and innovations – from growing potatoes on
the farm to getting potatoes into the hands of consumers worldwide – that could
shape our industry for decades to come.
Moderator:
Michael Sansolo, Food Industry Expert
Panelist:
Keith McGovern, President
R.D. Offutt Farms
Panelist:
Kevin Stanger, President
Wada Farms Marketing Group
Panelist:
Barry Starnes, Category Manager, Produce
Southeastern Grocers
Panelist:
Steve Williams, Vice President, Produce & Floral
Southeastern Growers
thursday, january 7
POLITICAL LANDSCAPE, POLICY AND TRADE
8:00am-9:30am PT (11:00am-12:30pm ET)
Hundreds of millions in pandemic relief aid. Ag worker reform movement.
New export markets opened. Historic federal potato purchases. It's hard to keep
track of everything that's happened in 2020. Join the National Potato Council
as we look back at a year we'll never forget and look ahead to finding a new
path forward with the new Congress and Administration.
Sponsored by
8:00am-8:30am PT
Pandemic Support for Fruits and Vegetables – How The Industry Teamed Up To Create the Largest Disaster Response In USDA’s History
Kam Quarles, CEO
National Potato Council
Michael A. Joyner, President
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
Dave Puglia, President & CEO
Western Growers Association
Tom Stenzel, President
United Fresh Produce Association
8:30am-9:00am PT
Ag Labor Solutions – Is 2021 the Year Congress Delivers?
Kam Quarles, CEO
National Potato Council
Craig Regelbrugge, Senior Vice President
AmericanHort
9:00am-9:30am PT
Enhancing U.S. Potato Exports – Global Export Opportunities and Challenges In 2021
Kam Quarles, CEO
National Potato Council
Matt Lantz, Vice President, Global Access
Bryant Christie Inc.
TRENDS IN FARMING TECHNOLOGY
12:00pm-12:45pm PT (3:00pm-3:45pm ET)
Join us for a discussion with
industry leaders with companies that are identified as bringing innovation to
the table in helping advance the potato industry. Discussions will focus on
trends in technology, sustainability, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and
what advancements they see on the horizon that will advance potato production
around the globe.
Moderator:
RJ Andrus, NPC's VP of Legislative Affairs and Senior Manager, Raw Material Procurement
Idahoan
Panelist:
Rainer Borgmann, CEO
Spudnik Equipment Company LLC
Panelist:
Gustavo Oberto, President, Global Agriculture Irrigation
Lindsay Corporation
Julian Sanchez, Director of Emerging Technology, Intelligent Solutions Group
John Deere
Panelist:
Simcha Shore, CEO
AgroScout