GTE beat goes on, thanks, in part, to QSSB sponsors

By Shane Frederick, SSGA Communications Manager

There are many ways to tell a story, and the story of 2020 has been told on our screens. That will be the case at the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange & Specialty Grains Conference (GTE), which will take place in a virtual environment Aug. 24-27.

“The Global Trade Exchange gives Illinois soybean growers the chance to tell our story about the high-quality and sustainability grown soybeans we grow each and every year,” said Doug Schroeder, Illinois Soybean Association chairman. “The GTE also allows Illinois growers to share the story of how we get our beans directly to export customers. using transportation corridors like the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.”

Illinois is one of six U.S. qualified state soybean boards (QSSBs) that are committed to the GTE as show-level sponsors during this year’s show. Each will be presenting a session presentation during the show.

The other QSSB sponsors are: Iowa Soybean Association, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, North Dakota Soybean Council, Ohio Soybean Council and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board.

“I think the GTE is important because, like any business, it’s important for us farmers and the agriculture industry to maintain relationships,” said Patrick O’Leary, a Minnesota farmer and council director. “These conferences are a good way for us to not only build but maintain relationships. Even the idea of going virtual gives us the opportunity to still spend some time talking to our customers and have them understand what’s happening at our farms.”

Ohio farmer and council board member Bill Bayliss agreed.

“The conference is a great opportunity to create new relationships with international customers and thank current customers for their business,” Bayliss said. “Soybeans are the No. 1 export among Ohio agricultural products, and about half of the soybeans grown in Ohio are exported – which is why expanding international markets is important to Ohio soybean farmers.”

More than 1,000 U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) trade team members from more than 60 countries have been invited to participate in the GTE, which is co-hosted by USSEC and the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA).

“The opportunity to have leaders from all over the world representing so many different aspects of our industry together in one place, communicating face-to-face, was incredibly valuable to the continued growth of North Dakota soy worldwide,” said Adam Redmann, North Dakota council board member and a past attendee of the GTE.

The states did not shy away from continuing to sponsor and support a differently formatted event, as organizers are expecting a record number of attendees due to the virtual nature of the event.

“I’ve always felt that this is a very important conference,” Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board President Robert Karls said. “International buyers are No. 1 on our list as a target market. They make or break the soybean market. The conference is a means to an end providing an outlet to buyers who are so vital to the industry we’re trying to make better every day.”

This year, at least, the meet-ups that once took place between session, at the trade show or over morning coffee or evening drinks will take place online through a unique platform designed to give attendees as close to a real, live experience as possible so the work that has taken place in previous conferences can continue to be done.

“Exports are critical to the economic well-being of U.S. soybean farmers,” said Grant Kimberley, senior director of market development for the Iowa Soybean Association. “More than ever, we need positive news on the export front as sales this marketing year continue to lag. Events like the GTE can be a catalyst for renewing purchases of quality and sustainably grown U.S. soybeans and boosting prices.

“By working together and being together virtually this year for this year’s exchange, we can emphasize the quality of U.S.-grown soybeans and our reliability as a trading partner to an even larger number of buyers and prospective buyers.”

As part of its GTE sponsorship, states will sponsor a conference session and select a farmer-leader to introduce the presentation.