B2B Meetings

Export Sorghum’s Business to Business (B2B) Meetings provide the opportunity for domestic organizations to meet directly and build relationships with the international grain and ingredient buyers attending the exclusive event. The B2B meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, September 23 from 8:00-11:30 a.m. CST.

International Companies Participating 

2025 agenda

Sunday, September 21

17:00 – Export Sorghum Welcome Reception | Westin Riverwalk- Olivares  (River Level)

Monday, September 22

Conference Meeting room: Hidalgo Ballroom

07:00 – Breakfast | Madero/Carranza Ballroom

08:00 – 08:05 – Opening Remarks – Sorghum: The Smart Choice | Ethan Miller, Chairman, Sorghum Checkoff

08:05 – 09:00 – Sorghum Production, Supply & Demand – Today’s Sorghum Market | Ted Nelson, StoneX, Risk Consultant

09:00 – 09:50 – Ensuring Quality: Understanding Sorghum Grades and U.S. Grain Standards | Jess McCluer, Senior VP, Safety and Regulatory, National Grain & Feed Association

09:50 – 10:10 – Coffee & Tea Break with Sorghum Suppliers (Networking)

10:10 – 11:00 – Sorghum: A Superfood for Modern Pet Food | Dr. Julia Guazzelli Pezzali, Assistant Professor & Pet Food Program Director, Kansas State University

11:00 – 11:35 – U.S. Sorghum’s Role in Sustainable Agriculture: Sorghum Producer’s Perspective | Mike Baker, Bakers Acres, NE; Chris O’Connor, Willamar Cotton & Grain, TX; Matt Dvorak, The Andersons, Inc. | Moderated by Kurt Shultz, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council

11:35-12:05 – Sorghum Assurance Protocol | Carlos Suarez, Director of Global Sustainability, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council

12:05-13:30 – Sorghum Lunch

13:35 – 14:20 – Sorghum Applications in the Poultry Industry | Dr. Mireille Arguelles-Ramos, Assistant Professor, Clemson University

14:20 – 15:10 – Grain Supply Chain: How the U.S. Leads in Efficiency and Reliability | Thomas Russell, The Russell Marine Group

15:10 – 16:00 – Value of U.S. Sorghum in Swine Diets | Dr. Katelyn Gaffield, Assistant Research Professor, Kansas State University

16:00 – 16:35 – Global Demand & Market Trends: Unlocking Trade Opportunities for U.S. Sorghum | Amanda Stumbo, Director of Business Insights, Alltech

16:35 – 16:50 – How Does Sorghum Fit with the Trends | Florentino Lopez, Consultant, Sorghum Checkoff

16:50 – 17:30 – Navigating U.S. Trade Policy | Andrew Brandt, Director of Trade Policy, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council

18:30 – Group Dinner | Viva Villa Taquería, 905 Dolorosa, San Antonio, TX 78207

Tuesday, September 23 

07:00 – Breakfast | Hidalgo Ballroom 

08:00 – 11:30 – Business to Business Meetings

11:45 – Lunch | Hidalgo Ballroom 

13:00 – Depart for Post Export Sorghum Tours