Agenda
Monday, December 1, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Murano | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Imperial Ballroom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM |
Savoy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Topgolf is a premier entertainment venue that combines the excitement of golf with a vibrant social atmosphere. It features climate-controlled hitting bays where players can enjoy a unique golf experience, regardless of skill level. Guests can take part in various games that use microchipped golf balls to track accuracy and distance, adding a competitive edge to the fun. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a beginner, Topgolf provides an enjoyable way to play and connect. Includes brunch. Sponsored by:
Off-site. Bus will depart from 600 South Porte Cochere $195.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Begin your journey at the Family History Library, where expert hosts will welcome you into an interactive Discovery Center. Guests can explore their roots with hands-on tools, from tracing an ancestor’s immigration record to designing a family coat of arms. Even first-time researchers will find the experience engaging and personal, with friendly staff guiding each step.
Includes box lunch. Off-site. Bus will depart from 600 South Porte Cochere $115.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM | In today’s ag retail environment, everyone is using data to various degrees. This session is designed for anyone in ag retail looking to turn information into real-world results. We’ll begin by defining what “operational efficiency” looks like in the ag space and where technology has the greatest impact. Then, industry members will share real-world examples of how they’ve used information systems to streamline operations, eliminate redundant processes, and drive measurable ROI. You’ll gain insight into what, why, and how behind these transformations. The session will also include time for open discussion so you can share your own experiences, hear what others are doing, and walk away with practical ideas to implement in your own operation. This event is for Retailers only. Sponsored by:
Murano | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM | Network and enjoy light refreshments just outside the general session. Sponsored by:
Grand Ballroom Reception | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Leading with Trust: Building Human Connection for Meaningful Impact: Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Scott Mann is a former U.S. Army Green Beret with tours all over the world including Colombia, Iraq, and multiple tours in Afghanistan. He is a warrior storyteller and the founder of Rooftop Leadership where he shares the rapport-building skill he learned in Special Forces to help today's leaders make better human connections in high-stakes, low-trust engagements. ARA President's Report: President & CEO Daren Coppock will deliver his annual report on the current state of the association as well as trends from ARA members and the industry.
Daren Coppock - ARA Scott Mann - Former Green Beret, Keynote Speaker, Leadership Coach, and Podcast Host ![]() ![]() Imperial Ballroom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Head to the Expo for appetizers and beverages as you network and explore the latest advances in ag retail. Sponsored by:
Grand Ballroom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM | ARA has cleared the evening’s agenda for you to take your customers, partners, and team out for dinner to show your appreciation! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Power up with breakfast and coffee in the Expo. Sponsored by:
Grand Ballroom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM | FFA Student Welcome Impact of the Trump Administration’s Policies on the Ag Economy: Dr. Joe Glauber, former USDA Chief Economist and current Research Fellow Emeritus with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), will offer a timely look at the ripple effects of current political decisions on U.S. agriculture, ag markets, producers, and retailers. Understanding Weather's Impact on Modern Agriculture: Matt Makens, of Makens Weather, will discuss how cyclical weather patterns are reshaping American agriculture, how these environmental shifts are influencing food production, and highlight the initiatives being pursued to ensure a reliable food supply for future generations. ARA Award Presentations:
Sponsored by:
![]() ![]() Imperial Ballroom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Conference guests and spouses will be invited to explore the Grand America art and antiques in a guided tour. The Grand America Hotel is proud to showcase museum-quality paintings, sculptures, and antiques, which were hand-selected with great care by the hotel’s owners, the Holding Family. The Holdings dedicated time and attention to each selection, and thoughtfully chose each piece’s placement within the hotel. Guests are invited to enjoy this collection and the enrichment it brings to The Grand America experience. This event is for spouses and guests only. Tour will begin in the Lobby $25.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Build industry connections over lunch in the Expo. Sponsored by:
Grand Ballroom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM | Dr. Scott Downey from Purdue University will present preliminary findings from Purdue’s Large Commercial Producer Survey, conducted every five years. This nationally respected survey profiles farms and ranches owned and managed by commercial producers, covering everything from demographics and size to technology use, economic characteristics, and future plans. It also digs into how growers make decisions and how those decisions have evolved over time. Attendees will learn what these shifts mean for ag retailers and suppliers. If you work with large-scale producers, this session is packed with valuable takeaways!
![]() Imperial Ballroom | Join másLabor for an in-depth introduction to LaborLink, a powerful new ARA member benefit designed to help retailers address one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: finding reliable labor. Through a strategic partnership with másLabor, the nation’s leading provider of H-2 visa services, LaborLink connects ARA members with expert support to navigate the complex H-2 application process. From eligibility assessments and full-service filing to compliance tools and dedicated case management, this session will show you how LaborLink can be your smart, legal pathway to a dependable workforce. Learn how to take advantage of critical hiring windows and get ahead of future staffing needs with this timely and practical solution. ![]() Imperial Ballroom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Explore the Expo Hall during these extended hours Grand Ballroom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM | Network and enjoy light refreshments just outside the general session. Sponsored by:
Grand Ballroom Reception | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Josh Linville from StoneX will share a fertilizer market outlook, offering insights into current price trends, supply chain dynamics, and global demand shifts. With volatility continuing to impact input costs, this session will help ag retailers understand what’s driving the market and what to watch for in the months ahead.
![]() Imperial Ballroom | Explore the future of agriculture through the lens of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) in this forward-looking session. Learn how AGI could revolutionize decision-making, resource management, and productivity across the ag value chain, from precision inputs to autonomous operations. The session will outline key milestones, current research, and practical steps needed to move from today’s smart technologies toward truly adaptive, self-learning systems in agriculture.
Jason Fisher - Institute of Applied Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (IAAIR) Dr. Srikanth - Institute of Applied Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (IAAIR) ![]() ![]() Imperial Ballroom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Head to the Expo for appetizers and beverages as you network and explore the latest advances in ag retail. Sponsored by:
Grand Ballroom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6:30 PM - 10:00 PM | Don’t miss the ARA Dinner & Auction —an evening of great food, lively bidding, and powerful impact. Join fellow ag retail professionals to support ARA’s political advocacy and help ensure our industry's voice is heard on Capitol Hill. CLICK HERE to buy tickets separately from your conference registration. Note: Tickets must be purchased with personal funds by U.S. citizens or permanent residents per FEC guidelines.
Sponsored by:
Grand Salon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Build industry connections over breakfast.
Sponsored by:
Grand Ballroom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Dream Believe Achieve: From fearing the moguls to conquering them, Shannon Bahrke's journey to becoming a two-time Olympic medalist is nothing short of extraordinary. In this high-energy, motivational keynote, titled "Dream. Believe. Achieve!" Shannon shares the mindset, tools, and winning strategies she honed over 12 years on the U.S. Ski Team and three Olympic Games. Her uplifting message will empower you to dream big, break through barriers, and perform at your absolute best—in work and in life. If you are ready to unlock your full potential and chase your own version of gold, this session is for you. Stick around afterward to pose for a photo with Shannon and her Olympic medal. Adjourn ![]() Grand Ballroom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11:30 AM - 3:00 PM | Enter a place where the impossible became reality — the Olympic Park, a living tribute to human courage, unity, and determination. This is more than a tour; it is a journey through the heart of the Olympic spirit. After hearing from an Olympian during ARA’s Closing Keynote, you will walk in the footsteps of legends. Feel the echo of history beneath your feet as you stand on the grounds where athletes from around the world came together not just to compete — but to inspire. Every stadium, every track, every flame-kissed pathway tells a story of perseverance, passion, and triumph against the odds. From the roar of the crowds to the quiet moments of preparation, the Olympic Park is a monument to the power of dreams and the beauty of global unity. Your guide will lead you through iconic venues where gold medals were won and lifelong legacies were forged, sharing tales of resilience, honor, and the pursuit of greatness. This experience is a celebration of what humanity can achieve when we dare to strive higher — together. Includes box lunch.
Sponsored by:
Off-site. Bus will depart from 600 South Porte Cochere $125.00 |