Nearly 700 soy industry leaders and buyers representing more than 60 different countries are gearing up to connect and reconnect at the annual Soy Connext Aug. 19-21, 2024, in San Francisco. Hosted by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), Soy Connext unites changemakers, thought leaders and industry exporters in the soy industry and offers premier networking opportunities, informational sessions, guest speakers and an exhibitor showcase.
Northern Soy Marketing (NSM) returns to Soy Connext to promote the reliability and supreme quality of northern-grown soybeans.
“Soy Connext is a good opportunity to reconnect with international soy purchasers who we’ve had to the chance to meet over the years and continue to strengthen those relationships, as well as connect with new buyers and form new relationships,” said NSM Market Development Program Manager Katelyn Engquist.
Highlighted speakers include David Mielke, director of OIL WORLD, TASA Analytics CEO Chris Lambe and Lance Rezac, Kansas soybean farmer and USSEC board chair. Breakout sessions will feature topics on modernizing supply chains, macro-economic impacts and updates from the soybean farmers themselves on crop progress and their sustainable farming practices.
Separating itself from more traditional trade shows and expos, vendor booths at Soy Connext are aimed at providing welcoming spaces for open dialogue and conversation with buyers. NSM is looking forward to hosting buyers in its own booth.
“The booths typically have couches and comfy chairs, which encourages people to stop in, have a conversation and get to know each other better,” said Engquist. “They aren’t here for the free pens, they’re here to network.”
Mike McCranie, South Dakota Soybean Council director and NSM vice chair, is one of the farmers that will attend.
“What I really enjoy is actually meeting those customers that buy our product and I can put a face to the name and build a relationship with them,” said McCranie.
Learn more about Soy Connext 202 at www.ussec.org/events/soy-connext-2024/
