Animal Agriculture Alliance Virtual Summit to help turn “Obstacles to Opportunities”

Today, the Animal Agriculture Alliance announced that its 2021 Stakeholders Summit, set primarily for May 5-6, will be hosted virtually and themed “Obstacles to Opportunities.” The annual Summit brings top thought leaders in the industry together to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas. In addition to announcing the theme and virtual format for 2021, the Alliance also issued a call for proposals to speak at the event.

The Summit is a one-of-a-kind conference attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, allied industries, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities, government agencies and media. The 2020 event (also hosted virtually) was the largest yet, attracting 515 attendees from around the world.

“I think we are all ready to turn the page on the obstacles of 2020 and seek opportunities to ensure a bright future for animal agriculture in 2021 and beyond,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “Our Virtual 2021 Summit will help everyone in the food chain work together toward that goal. We’re excited about building on the smashing success of our 2020 Virtual Summit to host another top-notch virtual event and hopefully set another attendance record.”

Challenging times. Unprecedented times. Uncertain times. We’re all over the clichés. But we’re far from over the impact COVID-19 and 2020 in general have had on agriculture and the food industry. However, there is hope. With the right tools we can ensure the food chain is stronger than ever. We can use this time to hone our messages, fine-tune our strategies and connect, engage and protect like never before. Now is the time to turn the obstacles of 2020 into opportunities for the decades to come, and 2021 Virtual Summit attendees will leave with the right tools and ideas to do just that.

“Hosting our Summit virtually is a perfect example of turning an obstacle into an opportunity,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president of communications. “We deeply wish we could host our traditional in-person Summit. Nothing beats the energy of being in a room together sharing our passion for animal agriculture. However, the ongoing public health situation is making that look like an impossibility for May 2021, as the health and safety of our attendees will always be our top priority. While it isn’t our first choice, the virtual setting will allow us to be safe while also making our Summit content accessible to a broader audience.”

The Alliance is seeking proposals for keynote presentations and panel discussions that fit this theme. Proposals to speak at the event are being accepted through December 31, 2020. For more information, visit the proposal guidelines and form at https://animalagalliance.org/resource/request-for-speakers-2021-stakeholders-summit/. For questions about the speaker proposal process, contact Hannah Thompson-Weeman at hthompson@animalagalliance.org.

Registration for the Virtual Summit will open in early 2021 and a tentative schedule will be shared at that time. Check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA21 for periodic updates about the event on social media. For general questions about the Summit please email summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.

Get involved:

Show your support for the Alliance’s outreach efforts by becoming an official Virtual Summit sponsor today! For more information on 2021 sponsorship opportunities, contact Casey Kinler at ckinler@animalagalliance.org.

About the Alliance:

The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
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