Access to key industry, government leaders and ag industry insights at not to be missed co-located global summits

BOSTON, Aug. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HighQuest Partners' co-located Women in Agribusiness (www.womeninag.com) and Soy & Grain Trade Summits (www.soyandgraintrade.com) in New Orleans, Sept. 16-19, offer complementary agendas, integrated industry information and an exceptional line-up of key experts to provide insight across the grain, oilseed and soy value chain.

Both events will address the global challenges that face the world's agriculture system; the underlying drivers that need to be considered when creating risk management strategies; and what investments are required in transportation infrastructure in order to increase transportation efficiencies in the ag value chain. 

Accomplished women in the industry, including Elizabeth Hund of U.S. Bank Food Industries, Susan Grelling of Land O'Lakes, and Maria Jose Capelle of Adecoagro, will participate in both events, illustrating the progress women are making as they assume leadership positions in agribusiness. 

This inaugural Women in Agribusiness Summit on September 16-17 features a keynote address by "agvocate" Michele Payn-Knoper who will engage attendees in conversations about food, fiber, fuel and feed, and discuss the tools needed to promote success for women in agribusiness.

Other highlights of this debut event include Monsanto's recognition of the five winners of America's Farmers Mom of the Year, a designation bestowed by Monsanto that includes a $10,000 grand prize. 

"We encourage attendance at both events for interested delegates because of the strong content, speaker line-up and attractive networking opportunities," said Greg Mellinger, CEO of HighQuest Partners, a leading global agriculture consultancy and host of the events.

"One would attend the Women in Agribusiness Summit for knowledge sharing, discussions about progress and challenges faced by women in the agribusiness sector, and development of mentorship and support relationships. Participating in the Soy & Grain Trade Summit will foster strong networking amongst grain and oilseed suppliers, buyers and risk management professionals, and will provide exposure to in-depth industry presentations and discussions, especially about the tight commodity supply situation the market is facing following this year's historic drought in the U.S."

The 7th Annual Soy & Grain Trade Summit, which will gather 800 key decision-makers in the commodity supply chain from 38 states and 40 countries, begins on September 17 with industry tours that showcase the U.S. grain processing and transportation infrastructure in the U.S. Gulf region.  Translation in five languages – Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, French and Spanish – will be provided for this large contingent of international attendees.

A live video feed from a central Illinois soybean field, sponsored by the Illinois Soybean Association, will provide a demonstration of the harvest and direct access to soybean producers, who will take questions from attendees.

Finally, attendees can take advantage of all there is to do in New Orleans by perusing a special microsite -- www.neworleanscvb.com/hqp -- that includes discounts to local restaurants, stores and more. 

CONTACT: Michelle Pelletier-Marshall, 978.887.8800, [email protected]

SOURCE HighQuest Partners