The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) unites its members and their interests to advocate and educate on their behalf, provide services to improve their businesses, and preserve their freedom to operate and innovate, ensuring a safe and plentiful food supply for all.
ARA has extended its room block at the Marriott Marquis Houston (located at 1777 Walker Street, Houston, Texas 77010) on a space-available basis; however, the rate is not guaranteed. To book, email ara@chmrooms.com or call at 800-227-5288.If you need to update your registration, click here.
ARA's hotel room block rate starts at $245 plus applicable taxes per night, depending on accommodations.
Note: ARA is using a third-party vendor Convention Housing Management (CHM) to reserve rooms. Only use the information provided to book a room at the Marriott Marquis Houston with ARA's room block rate.
ARA has rejuvenated its schedule by starting the Opening General Session earlier on Tuesday and ending with former astronaut Mike Mullane speaking in the center of the Expo Thursday morning to share his motivating leadership and teamwork stories from space.
To accommodate Colonel Mullane, the Expo floorplan will shift overnight Wednesday after the Networking Reception to feature a stage in the center of the Expo Hall. Until Thursday morning's speaker, attendees can visit the ARA Lounge in the center of the Expo Hall to learn more about how ARA can help your business.
Also, the two breakout sessions will run concurrently on Wednesday. Companies may consider sending at least two representatives to capture insights from both sessions.
Tickets are sold out for the ARA Dinner & Auction to benefit ARAPAC, held at the House of Blues Houston on Wednesday, Dec. 4. This lively event is not only about having fun with colleagues; it's about bidding during the live and silent auction to raise funds for ARAPAC, ARA's political action committee that financially contributes to lawmakers who support the ag retail industry. Be sure to exchange your ticket for a wristband at the onsite registration desk any time Wednesday. Roundtrip bus transportation will be provided.
Note: Tickets must be purchased separately from your ARA Conference registration with personal funds from U.S. citizens or permanent residents per FEC guidelines.
Companies may donate items directly or make a contribution via corporate check or credit card, which ARA will use to purchase items on your behalf to be auctioned off during the live or silent auctions. The ARA Dinner & Auction benefits the ARAPAC and is made possible by the generous donations of items or financial contributions.
Popular items include vacation packages, hunting and fishing equipment, event tickets, sports memorabilia, fine wines and company products.
Please complete the form by Sept. 30 to be recognized in conference signage, marketing collateral and auction guide. Contact Richard Gupton, ARA Senior Vice President, Public Policy & Counsel at richard@aradc.org or (202) 595-1699.
Yes! There will be silent auction items available. U.S. citizens may bid on silent auction items using the Handbid mobile app when the silent auction opens just before ARA Conference week.
Download the Handbid app to your device and register to be eligible to bid.
From your device's app store, search for and download the Handbid app.
Open the app and create an account if you don't already have one by entering your information and the PIN received via text.
In Handbid, search "ARAPAC" and click to "register" to be eligible to bid.
Note: International registrants are not allowed to bid on live or silent auction items due to federal regulations regarding PAC donations.
The Agricultural Retailers Association Political Action Committee (ARAPAC) is the political arm of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and is a powerful tool in representing the agricultural retailer industry on the federal level. Funds from ARAPAC contributions allow ARA staff and members to attend political events and financially support members of Congress running for office that support our industry. A strong PAC is essential to influencing public policy and advocating for the agricultural retailers and distributors who work to produce the nation’s food, feed, fiber, and fuel.
ARA will only refund registration fees if the registration is canceled before Nov. 1, 2024. After that date, unfortunately, we are not able to refund any registration fees.
Members of ARA include leading cooperative and independent retailers and distributors of crop inputs, production tools and services; suppliers of seed, equipment, fertilizer, pesticide, technology and capital; and affiliated organizations such as universities, government agencies or associations.
To join ARA, click below to complete a member application:
International guests may use Wordly.ai to translate sessions into their native language using a phone, tablet or laptop. Wordly.ai will transcribe spoken words into text or use headphones for live audio translations.
Each general session and the policy breakout session has a URL or QR code, which will be on the screen at the start of each session. Follow these steps to use it:
Click the Attendee Link to open a Wordly Attend page in your browser.
Choose the language you want to translate spoken words into.
If it’s not already there, enter the Session ID, which is the four letters and four numbers at the end of the Attendee Link.
To start, click Attend.
To leave a session, close the browser, tab, or click Exit.
ARA provides bus transportation for each off-site event. All bus departures will be from the Crawford Street exit near Texas T.
ARA Invitational Golf Tournament buses depart at 6:15 AM and 6:30 AM
NASA Johnson Space Center Tour bus departs at 9:00 AM
ARA Dinner & Auction buses depart at 6:15 PM and 6:45 PM. (However, some attendees may prefer to get some fresh air and walk about half a mile or 10 minutes to the House of Blues.)
Houston Channel Ship Post-Conference Tour bus departs at 11:30 AM
Anyone passionate about American agriculture and the agricultural retail industry is welcome to attend the event. However, only ARA members get the best rate to attend!
Expo reservations are open to 2023 exhibitors only until July 1 when reservations open to all. Select your best booth location using the online interactive Expo map. The sooner you secure your booth, the more options you'll have to select from to get the most traffic!
ARA has a limited amount of space available for side meetings. Meeting space is complimentary for Diamond (one full day) and Platinum sponsors (one half day). If space remains, it will be allocated to Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors at a rate of $500 for a half day, and $900 for a full day. The costs of food & beverage, audio/visual expenses and other direct costs of any side meeting are the responsibility of the host company. If you would like to request side meeting space, click below to request by Nov 1, 2024.
Our host city Houston conveniently has two airports less than a 30-minute drive from the Marriott Marquis Houston: George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. Transportation to the ARA Conference is the responsibility of the attendee.
