Agenda
Monday, December 1, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM |
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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. Off-Site | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Get ready for a culturally enriching journey with our guided tour of the Temple Square grounds, offering you an immersive exploration of the heart of Salt Lake City. The experience begins with a captivating visit to the Utah Tabernacle building, an architectural masterpiece renowned for its stunning acoustics and historic significance. Inside the Tabernacle, you will marvel at the intricate craftsmanship and learn about its role as a venue for world-class performances, events, and the renowned Tabernacle Choir. Following this architectural marvel, the tour continues with a unique and personalized guided family history research workshop at the nearby Family History Library. Expert genealogists will lead you through the vast resources of this renowned facility, offering insights into tracing familial roots and uncovering hidden stories. Participants will have the opportunity to delve into their own family histories, utilizing the library's extensive collection of records, documents, and digital archives. This hands-on workshop encourages meaningful connections as individuals explore their heritage and discover the fascinating narratives that link generations. The guided tour of Temple Square and the subsequent family history workshop promise not only a deeper understanding of Utah's cultural heritage but also an engaging and memorable experience that resonates with the personal stories within each participant's family.
Includes box lunch. Off-Site | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM | Network and enjoy light refreshments just outside the general session.
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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. ARA Awards Presentation:
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5:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Head to the Expo for appetizers and beverages as you network and explore the latest advances in ag retail. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:00 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM | FFA Student Welcome Impact of Tariffs on U.S. Agriculture (Working Title): Dr. Joe Glauber, former USDA Chief Economist and now a Research Fellow Emeritus with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) will discuss how the recent political actions are impacting U.S. agriculture. Global Weather Trends: Matt Makens, of Makens Weather, will present on global weather trends. ARA Award Presentations:
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12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Build industry connections over lunch in the Expo. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM | Dr. Scott Downey from Purdue University will present preliminary findings from Purdue’s Large Commercial Grower Survey, conducted every five years. | Join ARA for an in-depth introduction to LaborLink, a powerful new 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Explore the Expo Hall during these extended hours | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM | Network and enjoy light refreshments just outside the general session. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Josh Linville from StoneX will share a fertilizer market outlook.
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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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Build industry connections over breakfast. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Dream Believe Achieve: Shannon Bahrke Happe, three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic medalist in freestyle mogul skiing, will join us for a closing keynote. Stick around afterward to pose for a photo with Shannon and her Olympic medal. Adjourn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1:30 PM - 5:00 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. Off-Site |