National Grain and Feed Association

NGFA's 109th Annual Convention

Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego, CA
March 30 - April 1, 2005

Hotel Alert!

Because of heavy pre-registration for the NGFA's convention, the headquarters hotel - the Hotel Del Coronado - is sold out of sleeping rooms. However, the NGFA has a list of nearby hotel alternatives, so if you have difficulty obtaining a room at the Hotel Del - or if you have a reservation at the Hotel Del that you're now not going to be able to use - please contact NGFA Meetings Manager Stacy Royston at sroyston@ngfa.org or by calling (202) 289-0873.

Convention Program Highlights

Wednesday, March 30

NGFA Committee Meetings/Open Forums

NGFA committees will conduct afternoon work sessions open to all convention registrants. Attending is a great way to stay current on developing issues and participate in the NGFA’s policymaking process.

In addition, two special Open Forums are confirmed:

Open Forum: “Trade in the Americas”: This Open Forum will focus on Western hemisphere trade issues with featured speakers from trade associations, including Dennis Stephens (confirmed), Canadian Grains Council; Alejandro Ortiz (confirmed), APPAMEX Mexico; Hugo Krajnc (confirmed), of the Argentine Grain Exporters and Oil Industry Chambers (CIARA and CEC); and ABIOVE and ANEC from Brazil (invited). It is co-hosted by the North American Export Grain Association and three NGFA committees -- the International Trade/Agricultural Policy Committee; Food Safety Committee; and Grain Grades & Weights Committee.

Open Forum: “Rail Fuel Surcharges — Impacts on Shippers and Carriers”: This session will focus on the results of a new study analyzing rail fuel surcharges and the impacts they are having on shippers of various agricultural commodities, as well as on carriers. A panel consisting of Jay Roman (confirmed) of Escalation Consultants Inc., author of the study, as well as NGFA Transportation Counsel Andrew P. Goldstein, Esq. (confirmed), and NGFA President Kendell Keith (confirmed), will examine the study’s results and whether there are more equitable, cost-based formulas for railroads to recover actual fuel cost increases incurred for individual shipments. This session also will feature an update on various carrier policies regarding rail car seals.

CBOT Welcome Reception
For the 31st year running, the Chicago Board of Trade will host the convention’s signature opening event – a fabulous reception welcoming convention participants. Don’t miss it!

Thursday, March 31

Opening General Session

Every year, the NGFA convention provides the platform for a visionary, yet practical, look at the condition and future of the grain, feed and processing industry through a keynote address by an industry leader. This year’s address will be presented by Carl Hausmann (confirmed), President & CEO of Bunge North America Inc. A veteran of the industry, Hausmann will discuss his vision of Bunge’s and the industry’s future and the state of the industry.

In addition, Chicago Board of Trade Executive Vice President/Chief Operations Officer, Bryan Durkin (confirmed), will discuss issues at the exchange, including an update on performance and order execution that are important to grain hedgers and market users.

His Excellency Jiechi Yang (invited), China’s Ambassador to the United States, will present a featured address giving China’s perspectives on bilateral and multilateral issues affecting U.S.-Chinese trade relationships. Key issues will include the Doha Round of trade negotiations under the World Trade Organization, and China’s progress in meeting terms of its accession agreement when it joined the WTO.

NGFF Classic Golf Tournament

Attention all golfers! Click Here for more information on the National Grain and Feed Foundation Classic, an annual “memorable golf experience” and benefit for the Foundation. Space is limited to 144 players, so sign up today! More details can be found by clicking here.

Friday, April 1

General Session

Sen. John Thune (confirmed). R-S.D., won the most high-profile congressional election of 2004 - defeating Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, the first time in 52 years that a sitting Senate party leader had been beaten. Thune previously served three terms in the House, and was extremely active on agricultural policy and transportation issues. He now serves as a member of the key Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over inland waterways construction, as well as the Armed Services Committee, Small Business Committee and Veterans Affairs Committee. Thune will also be the featured guest at an NGFA GrainPAC Breakfast that morning.

Rail issues typically play a major role at the NGFA convention, and this year is no different. Matt Rose (confirmed), President/CEO/Chairman of BNSF Railway, will address challenges facing the railroads, strategies for greater efficiencies in rail service and performance, and his outlook for the BNSF.

This year, the NGFA welcomes a truly global citizen to present a major address on economic, security and political challenges of the day. Sir Eldon Griffiths (confirmed), National Patron, World Affairs Council of America, has served as a member of the British parliament and has held positions under several British prime ministers, including as Margaret Thatcher’s spokesman on European and NATO issues. The Queen knighted him in 1988. Sir Eldon began his career as a correspondent covering the Korean War, the Bay of Pigs operation and crises in Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Sir Eldon will present a timely and thought-provoking speech titled, “Bully or Benefactor: How the Rest of the World Perceives America in 2005.”

Marty Ruikka (confirmed) will summarize the results of new ProExporter Network study on ethanol and its future impact on U.S. agribusinesses, including country elevators, grain processors and exporters. The study’s findings — to be released just weeks before the NGFA convention — will include answers to such questions as: 1) whether ethanol can survive and prosper without subsidies, given current trends for future crude oil prices; 2) whether it is economically and politically feasible to locate ethanol plants outside the cornbelt; 3) what the advent of growing ethanol production and use will have for the U.S. corn supplydemand situation, futures market spreads and market carries; 4) the eventual value for distillers dried grains; 5) how the U.S. grain transportation network, particularly railroads, will be affected; and 6) whether biodiesel will follow a similar developmental path as ethanol.