Preparing for What's Next in Grain & Feed

If your goal is to stay ahead of industry issues, strengthen business relationships, and connect with leaders across the grain and feed sectors, CEC 2026 brings it all together in one event.

Designed for grain originators, marketers, merchandisers, traders, exporters, and the service providers and solution partners they rely on, CEC delivers meaningful value across three essential areas: industry education, business development, and networking. Attendees will gain practical insights, build valuable relationships, discover new solutions, and return to their organizations with ideas they can put into action.

CEC 2026 gives attendees access to:

  • Timely industry insights — Gain perspective on the economic, market, policy, and regulatory forces shaping the grain and feed industries.
  • Innovative products and solutions — Explore the latest technologies, products, services, and operational solutions, or put your own innovations in front of hundreds of grain and feed industry professionals.
  • Meaningful connections — Build relationships through networking, peer-to-peer learning, and collaboration with industry leaders, experts, innovators, and professionals across the agricultural value chain.

CEC 2026 is where industry connections, market insight, and innovative solutions come together to shape what’s next for grain and feed.

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Networking   |   Agenda   |   Speakers   |  Tradeshow   |   Sponsorship

Networking at CEC 2026

NGFA Programs, Committee Meetings & Business Leadership Forum

At CEC, attendees have a focused opportunity to step away from day-to-day demands, learn from peers and experts, and return with ideas that can strengthen both individual performance and organizational success.

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NGFA Programs & Committee Meetings

Build Meaningful Connections

Attendees at CEC 2026 can build relationships, exchange ideas, and explore new business connections through a variety of networking opportunities, from special programming for CAP participants and state affiliate representatives—including the CAP Workshop and Lunch & Learn and the State Affiliate Leadership Meeting—to the Business, Merchandising, and Operations Committee Meeting, where all NGFA members can observe the committee process and engage with industry leaders, as well as receptions and conference events designed to spark meaningful conversations, lasting partnerships, and new opportunities.

Explore Networking Opportunities

Business Leadership Forum

A leadership development experience for professionals preparing for senior leadership responsibilities within member companies and the association.

The Business Leadership Forum brings together high-potential professionals on the path to senior executive leadership across the grain and feed industry to develop the skills, perspectives, and relationships needed to lead with greater impact.

Participants will engage with peers who share a common commitment to leadership growth and industry involvement. Through meaningful conversations, networking opportunities, and a dedicated leadership workshop, participants will gain new perspectives, expand their professional network, and begin building relationships with the individuals who will help shape the future of the industry.

For NGFA member companies, the forum is an investment in the emerging executives who are preparing for greater responsibility within their organizations and may one day serve as NGFA committee chairs, Board members, Executive Committee members, and trusted industry representatives.

Elevate Your Leadership Skills
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Speakers

Ben Brame
Founder
Contango

John Coleman
Managing Director, Agricultural Origination
Munich Re Trading LLC (MRTL)

Keith Currie
President
Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA)

Nadine Garland
Lead Auditor
SGS

Margin Opportunities in the Country Elevator System: Where They Hide and How to Capture Them

Beyond Price: Hedging Crop Volume Risk

Strengthening U.S. Agricultural Market Access Under USMCA

Bushel by Bushel: Building Grain Traceability That Works

Wednesday, December 9 – Breakout Session

Wednesday, December 9 – Breakout Session

Thursday, December 10 – General Session

Wednesday, December 9 – Breakout Session

Sergio Gomez Lora
CEO
Mexico’s Business Coordinating Council

Justina Graff
Principal
The Russell Group

Reggie Griffith
Global Head of Regulatory Compliance
LDC

Tony Hatch
Senior Transportation Analyst
ABH Consulting

Strengthening U.S. Agricultural Market Access Under USMCA

After the Election: What’s Next for Washington

Futures and More: The New Grain Trading Landscape

The Rail Outlook: Navigating What’s Ahead for Grain and Feed Shippers

Thursday, December 10 – General Session

Wednesday, December 9 – General Session

Wednesday, December 9 – General Session

Thursday, December 10 – General Session

Rob Huston
Senior Director, Product & Business Development
Cultura Technologies

Ashlee Johnson
Principal
The Russell Group

Emma Johnston
Senior Agriculture Advisor to the Chairman
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

Chris Malone
Partner
Richard Lake Partners

AI in Grain Merchandising: Building Data Readiness for Practical Results

After the Election: What’s Next for Washington

Futures and More: The New Grain Trading Landscape

Bushel by Bushel: Building Grain Traceability That Works

Wednesday, December 9 – Breakout Session

Wednesday, December 9 – General Session

Wednesday, December 9 – General Session

Wednesday, December 9 – Breakout Session

Troy Presley
Senior Risk Management Consultant
Advanced Trading, Inc.

Ed Prosser
Senior Vice President, Special Projects
Scoular

Michael Reginelli
Senior Risk Management Consultant
Advanced Trading, Inc.

John Ricci
Managing Director and Global Head of Agriculture
CME

2027 Agricultural Economy Outlook

Futures and More: The New Grain Trading Landscape

2027 Agricultural Economy Outlook

Futures and More: The New Grain Trading Landscape

Wednesday, December 9 – General Session

Wednesday, December 9 – General Session

Wednesday, December 9 – General Session

Wednesday, December 9 – General Session

Randy Russell
President & CEO
The Russell Group

Beth Stebbins
Director Sustainability & Producer Strategy
Scoular

Mark Stewart
CEO
Ag Futures America (AFA)

Andrew Ward
Head of Commodity Sales
Barchart

After the Election: What’s Next for Washington

Bushel by Bushel: Building Grain Traceability That Works

Growing the Future: What Gen Z Wants and How Agriculture Can Develop Tomorrow’s Leaders

AI in Grain Merchandising: Building Data Readiness for Practical Results

Wednesday, December 9 – General Session

Wednesday, December 9 – Breakout Session

Thursday, December 10 – General Session

Wednesday, December 9 – Breakout Session

Develop Your Business at CEC 2026

Exhibit & Sponsor

Become an exhibitor and/or sponsor to generate new business, strengthen relationships, and increase brand visibility before, during, and after the event.

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Exhibit at CEC 2026

Exhibiting and sponsoring at NGFA’s CEC 2026 places your company directly in front of grain, feed, and processing industry professionals from across the supply chain. CEC brings together senior business leaders, business unit leaders responsible for managerial and financial results, emerging industry leaders, state association executives and commercial teams seeking growth opportunities.

Connect with buyers & decision-makers, create new business opportunities, and generate high-quality leads.

Connect with Decision Makers
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View CEC 2026 Exhibitors

Sponsor CEC 2026

Sponsoring NGFA’s CEC 2026 maximizes your brand exposure, generates high value connections and drives business growth within the grain, feed, and processing industries.

CEC brings together senior business leaders, business unit leaders responsible for managerial and financial results, emerging industry leaders, state association executives and commercial teams seeking growth opportunities.

Turn visibility into opportunity with a CEC 2026 sponsorship.

Put Your Brand in the Spotlight
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CEC 2026 Sponsors

Upcoming Yearly CEC Events

December 2026
Dec 08 - 10 2026

CEC 2026

St. Louis Union Station Hotel
December 2027
December 2028
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