Save on registration and hotel rates through April 10; refer a friend for the chance to win $100
April 1, 2026 – When activist campaigns or viral moments erupt, the difference between chaos and control comes down to preparation. At the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2026 Stakeholders Summit, public affairs and communications experts will guide attendees through crisis workshops and drills to pressure test their plans before an emergency strikes. The 2026 Summit, themed “High Steaks: Navigating Pressure on Animal Protein,” is set for May 5-7 in Kansas City, Mo. Discounted registration and hotel rates are available through April 10. Register here.
During an interactive workshop titled “Pressure Testing: Charting a Course Through Crisis Simulation,” Summit Strategy Group’s Nina Dater will lead participants through a realistic, activist-driven scenario where they’ll navigate every critical phase of a crisis. The session will reveal where organizations are most vulnerable under pressure and how to respond with clarity and confidence.
Leading up to the kickoff of the 2026 Summit, a special pre-event workshop will be led by communications professionals Jacque Matsen and Lauren Neuman. The hands-on session, “From Crisis to Clarity: Owning the Message When the Stakes Are High,” will equip attendees with practical tools to communicate clearly, credibly, and calmly in even the toughest situations. Registration for the Summit and an RSVP to the pre-event session is required, and seating is limited.
“The time is now to pressure test crisis response systems, not after the crisis strikes,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance president and CEO. “There’s no better way to test those systems than through practice with real-world scenarios, guided by experts. This rare opportunity will provide Summit attendees with a practical framework and tools to manage any crisis with confidence.”
Nina Dater is director of public affairs at Summit Strategy Group, where she advises clients on complex public affairs, regulatory, and reputational issues, with a focus on how legislative and government decisions impact corporate risk and crisis response. She works across industries to help organizations anticipate policy-driven challenges and develop communications strategies aligned with business objectives.
Jacque Matsen, president and owner of Relate Strategies, LLC, has spent more than 20 years working on strategic communications efforts for prominent organizations and brands in the food and agriculture space, including National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, DuPont Pioneer, and National Pork Board. She has supported industry responses to E. coli outbreaks, “Mad Cow” disease, and “pink slime,” as well as launching National Pork Board’s myth-busting efforts.
Lauren Neuman is the associate director of public relations at C.O.nxt. She has more than a decade of experience creating and leading best-in-class communications programs that build meaningful relationships with stakeholders and drive business results. Her public relations experience spans media relations, community relations, issues management, and corporate communications in industries including B2B, hospitality, agriculture, and meat processing.
Get involved:
Help us bring fresh perspectives to the table at the 2026 Summit. Invite a friend to join the conversation by referring someone who’s never attended Summit before. Both parties need to be registered and will be entered to win a $100 gift card. More details here.
Show your support for the Alliance’s outreach efforts by becoming an official Summit sponsor today. Sponsor companies are eligible for complimentary Summit registrations, opportunities to address event attendees, and exclusive access to attendee contact lists, depending on sponsorship level. Learn more about available sponsorship opportunities and contact Hannah Thompson-Weeman at hthompson@animalagalliance.
The 2026 Summit would not be possible without the support of sponsors, including U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Farm Journal, Meatingplace, Watt, Cargill, Perdue Farms, Zoetis, American Feed Industry Association, Dairy Farmers of America, U.S. Soy, Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc., Amick Farms, Aviagen, CoBank, Dairy MAX, Farm Credit Council, Mountaire Farms, National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Lamb Board, Cal-Maine Foods, Cobb-Vantress, LLC, Empirical, Hendrix Genetics, National Chicken Council, North Carolina Farm Bureau, Progressive Dairy, Trans Ova Genetics, Tyson Foods, United Egg Producers, Vivayic, Eggland’s Best, and Eocene Environmental Group.
Check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA26 for periodic updates about the event on social media. For general questions about the Summit, email summit@animalagalliance.
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