ARLINGTON, VA – The USA Rice Outlook Conference is the premier rice event of the year and it returns to the center of the southern rice universe in Little Rock, Arkansas, with some of the most ambitious programming and inspiring speakers ever.
The General Session keynote speaker is Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, a decorated combat pilot, pro golfer, philanthropist, and more.
At age 12, Dan told his father, a college professor, he was going to be a golf professional and a fighter pilot. His father encouraged him to pursue his dreams, and Dan did just that.
A few years later, he was a walk-on at the University of Kansas golf team, eventually earning a scholarship and making the cut at the NCAA Championships with his KU teammates. Following graduation and a brief career on the pro circuit, Dan knew it was time for part two. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, became a fighter pilot, added two Top Gun awards, three tours of Iraq, and countless medals.
He still wasn’t finished. Rooney was never going to choose an easy path in life, as evidenced by that initial conversation with his father. He embraced the fact you have a choice each day, “live the easy way or the right way,” which launched his tireless work supporting the families of fallen American service members and first responders.
Attendees will also be inspired by Annual Awards Luncheon Keynote Alyson Van Hooser who will share the amazing story of her rise, against all odds, from the backwoods of Kentucky to become one of the most respected and sought after leadership speakers and trainers in the world, a thriving and happy mother of four, wife, and business owner.
Van Hooser’s passion for helping others is infectious, sparks deep listening and introspection, and her storytelling is nothing short of perspective-shifting. Every leader, of any size organization, will benefit from her insights.
Speaking of leadership, we’ll meet the new Rice Leadership Development Class and multiple award winners at the same lunch.
The 5th Annual U.S. Rice Quality Symposium is drawing an even larger international audience than last year’s record-setting event, and it’s being bookended by a Grading Workshop and Exporting 101 session.
Logistics, consumer trends, putting AI to work for you, retail innovations, and agronomy sessions will keep attendees engaged on the three stages in the 40,000 square foot Exhibit Hall, and of course, there will be plenty of networking opportunities that are a hallmark of the annual event.
Registration is open to all – but the rates are set to increase.
If rice is your business, this is your event, so
register today!