The U.S. SOY Global Trade Exchange and Specialty Grains Conference (GTE) is quickly approaching and it could not happen without the generous support it receives from other businesses, companies and organizations. Five U.S. Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs) are supporting this year’s conference, including the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), North Dakota Soybean Council (NDSC), Iowa Soybean Association, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC), and Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board.

The Illinois Soybean Association was “instrumental in trying to get the conference in Chicago,” says ISA Director of Strategic Market Development, Mark Albertson.

ISA has been a sponsor for multiple years, and is a diamond sponsor of the 2019 conference.

“Illinois exports more soybeans than any other state, so having a good relationship with our international soybean buyers is critical to us,” Albertson says.

ISA will be taking advantage of the opportunity to create new relationships with international customers along with keeping up with current customers. The day before the conference, they have tours planned for attendees to partake in and learn more about the area.

“This is a time when our soy exports are more important than ever,” Albertson says. “This will give us an opportunity to relay that message and to thank the existing soybean buyers, and to try to welcome new soybean buyers.”

NDSC is one of this year’s platinum sponsors. They have been sponsoring the conference for over five years, ultimately seeing this conference as an opportunity for farmer leaders to meet with international customers and connect with exporters.

“The networking opportunities that the GTE continues to provide year in and year out are vital to promoting the equality of U.S. soy,” says Austin Langley, NDSC vice chair and market development committee chair. “GTE is an opportunity to show how dedicated the U.S. soybean industry is to its customers on providing the best product in the world.”

The next sponsor to highlight for the conference is the Iowa Soybean Association, a platinum sponsor this year. They have been one of the original sponsors of the event.

Grant Kimberly of Iowa Soybean Association said the organization continues supporting the GTE because of its focus on expanding market access.

“(The GTE) can help facilitate additional exports of U.S. soybeans around the world.”

Kimberly also says conference attendees can learn more about other markets and what they are doing.

“Hopefully (the GTE will) enhance buying opportunities and export opportunities for U.S. soybean farmers, by working together with the buyers and sellers and having everyone together in one place at one time,” he says.

Another original sponsor of GTE is MSR&PC. Kim Nill, director of market development, believes it is always important for MSR&PC to attend and sponsor the event, but especially in 2019.

“The Mississippi River flooding has made Minnesota more than ever dependent on exports through the Pacific Northwest,” Nill says. “The vast majority of teams that come in to the Global Trade Exchange are serviced through that area easily.”

The last QSSB to highlight for sponsoring the conference is the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, an original sponsor of the annual event, and currently a gold sponsor.

“GTE is a very important program,” says Bob Karls of the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board. “The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board feels it is an excellent opportunity to bring buyers and sellers together to showcase the U.S. soybean industry to our international customers.”

Visit www.grainconference.org to view the full list of sponsors and learn more about the event.