Speakers: 2025 ARA Conference & Expo

Full Name	Company	Job Title
Shannon Bahrke Happe	Team Empower Hour & Champions Advantage	2 X Olympic Medalist, CEO, TEDx Speaker, Cert. Mindset Coach
Hunter Carpenter	ARA	Senior Director of Public Policy
Daren Coppock	ARA	President & CEO
Scott Downey	Purdue University	(not set)
Joe Glauber	(not set)	(not set)
Richard Gupton	Agricultural Retailers Association	Senior VP, Public Policy & Counsel
Josh Linville	StoneX	Vice President - Fertilizer
Matt Makens	(not set)	(not set)
Scott Mann	(not set)	(not set)
Megan Wright	MAS Labor	Senior Director, Business Expansion

How do I get to the ARA Conference?

Is the Conference only for ARA members?

How can I join ARA as a member?

How do I book my hotel room?

ARA uses Convention Housing Management (CHM) as its official partner for room reservations.

ARA’s room block is available on a firstcome, first-served basis starting at $259 plus applicable taxes per night, depending on accommodations. Reservations made after Nov. 7 will be accepted on a space-available basis. Rate is not guaranteed after Nov. 7.

Cancellations made after Monday, Nov. 3, are subject to a $25 processing fee.

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 Grand America with ARA's room block rate.

How do I become a Sponsor?

How do I request side meeting space as a sponsor?

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, 2025.

How do I become an Exhibitor?

When is the Expo open?

What is the ARAPAC?

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.

How do I buy tickets to the ARA Dinner & Auction to benefit ARAPAC?

Held Wednesday, Dec. 3, 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. Roundtrip bus transportation will be provided.

Register to participate in the silent and live auction to secure a chance to win a wide variety of great items for yourself or as gifts for family or friends. Tickets must be purchased separately from your ARA Conference registration, and be made with personal funds per FEC guidelines.

Note: Tickets must be purchased separately from your ARA Conference registration with personal funds from U.S. citizens or permanent residents per FEC guidelines.

How can I donate items the ARA Dinner & Auction?

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 linked below 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.

Can I bid on auction items without attending the auction?

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.

Will Conference sessions be recorded?

Will translation services be provided for the ARA Conference & Expo?

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.

Meet Your Speakers

TBD

Who is ARA?