March 23, 2023 – Connecting with skeptical consumers about animal agriculture is becoming increasingly important as issues like environmental stewardship and animal welfare are top-of-mind for customers, investors, and other key groups. The Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2023 Stakeholders Summit will feature two panels focused on how you can engage the right audiences and communicate effectively. The 2023 Summit is set for May 4-5 in Arlington, Va. and themed “Partners in Progress: Building a Sustainable Future for Animal Ag.” Register today! Current registration rates are available through April 16.
In a session titled “Telling Your Story: Understanding Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting,” panelists will discuss how the animal agriculture and food communities can both walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to sustainability. Driving positive conversations with media, investors, and others can be a challenge, and it takes a strategic effort that requires a commitment to invest in key initiatives to make it believable as you tell your story. That’s where corporate social responsibility comes in. A corporate social responsibility platform is good for any organization and essential for those that deal with misinformation and loud adversarial voices. Attendees will walk away with the knowledge of what to do (and what not to do) when crafting their own corporate social responsibility platforms. Led by Marcy Tessman of C.O.nxt, panelists include Cassie Jo Arend of Shiftology, Christina Lood of Zoetis, and Sydney Reese of Prime Pursuits. This panel is sponsored by the National Pork Producers Council.
During the session “Engaging with Consumers: From A to ‘Gen Z,’” attendees will learn how Generation Z is poised to change the face of food. This emerging consumer segment brings a distinct set of values, behaviors, and purchasing power undergirded by pressing questions about the values of those producing our food, production practices, and the impact on people, animals, and the planet. Expert communicator Roxi Beck of The Center for Food Integrity, sustainable seafood educator Emily De Sousa of Seaside with Emily, and beef rancher Cassidy Johnston of Not Your Average Rancher will explore how to engage “Gen Z” and others effectively based on both research and practice. The session will be moderated by Amanda Lucey, CEO of The Partnership.
“Consumers are craving more information about environmental stewardship, animal welfare, and antibiotic use related to our food choices,” said Emily Solis, manager, communications and content, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “The farm and food communities need to be proactive in engaging with audiences that are hungry to learn more by proudly sharing the work that is already being done along with future goals for continuous improvement. These panels at the upcoming Summit will equip and empower attendees with the tools to do just that.”
Summit attendees can secure a discounted hotel rate at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View by booking before April 11. All Summit events will be held at this hotel. Reserve your hotel room now. Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA23 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about Summit, please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.
Get involved:
Refer-a-friend
Help us spread the word about Summit! If you refer a friend to attend the 2023 Summit who has never attended a previous Summit and they list your name as the person who recommended them when they register for the event, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card! Each referral will count as one entry and there is no limit on the number of entries for referrers. We will give away two $100 gift cards during the Summit – one drawing for referrers and one drawing for those who were referred. All registrations for the in-person event with a referral listed made until online registration closes on May 1 will be entered. Both the referrer and the person referred must be registered to claim the gift card.
Sponsorship
Show your support for the Alliance’s premier event by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For 2023 sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://animalagalliance.org/
Thank you to our 2023 Summit sponsors: Farm Journal, MEAT + POULTRY, Meatingplace, National Pork Producers Council, Watt Global Media, American Feed Industry Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Board, Smithfield, United Soybean Board, Dairy MAX, Elanco, Farm Credit, Mountaire Farms, United Egg Producers, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Veal Association, Bayer Crop Science, Cal-Maine Foods, Cobb-Vantress, Inc., Filament Marketing, Kemin, National Chicken Council, Progressive Dairy, Protect the Harvest, Trans Ova Genetics, Tyson, Vivayic, Agricultural Modeling and Training Systems, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Eggland’s Best, Live Oak Bank, North Carolina Farm Bureau, and Sustainable Environmental Consultants.
The Alliance also thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, C.O.nxt, Dairy Farmers of America, Diamond V, Genus PLC – PIC/ABS, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America, LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, JBS, Kanas Soybean Commission, Merck Animal Health, Midwest Dairy, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Provimi North America, Inc., and Seaboard Foods.
About the Alliance:
The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
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