The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) 2019 Conference & Expo is underway in New Orleans this week. The annual gathering draws nearly 600 agricultural retail industry professionals for speakers, educational sessions, a world-class expo and networking opportunities.

Tuesday’s events included the ARA Invitational Golf Tournament and the opening of the sold-out expo hall. The industry speaker lineup includes a keynote presentation and a Q&A session with CEO and Chairman of the FMC Corporation Pierre Brondeau, and a panel on competing retail models moderated by Margy Eckelkamp, editor of AgPro, and comprised of Alexander Reichert, co-founder and CEO of AgVend; Dave Thomas, executive vice president of Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC; and John Demerly, CEO of CommoditAg.

Earlier in the week, the ARA Board of Directors gathered for its quarterly meeting. The agenda included the review of regular business operations of the organization and opportunities to strengthen and create efficiencies. The Board took action to expand the Executive Committee to include two additional retailer seats, and to shift the seats on the Board of Directors from 24 to 27 retailers.

ARA Senior VP for Public Policy & Counsel Richard Gupton talks about this year’s conference and some of the issues facing agricultural retailers in this interview.
ARA19 Interview with Richard Gupton, ARA Sr VP, Public Policy & Counsel (6:34)

Follow the action on Twitter with the hashtag #AgRetailers19, and find content from the convention for sharing in the 2019 ARA virtual newsroom.

2019 ARA Convention and Expo
2019 ARA Convention Golf Tournament