2025 Program

Registration

Networking Luncheon: Carving the Future: How Women's Employee Resource Groups are Transforming Meat and Poultry Workplaces

(Advanced Registration and Ticket Required)
Kick off AMC by joining us for lunch sponsored by the Women’s Meat Industry Network (WMIN). Meet other attendees and participate in discussion on how Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a critical role in supporting, empowering, and advancing women. Industry leaders and ERG champions will discuss best practices for building successful groups, overcoming challenges unique to women in the field, and how ERGs can drive long-term change in organizational culture.

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Navigating Trends: The Art of Working With People Not Like You

There are numerous macro trends that affect business and work:  technology, AI, changing consumer behavior, buying trends, social media, misinformation and disinformation, and shifting social norms.  But the biggest macro trend of all is how we communicate with each other, work with one another and solve problems together.  People are more divided on issues than ever before.  This polarity is not good for business – it can destabilize teams and corrode important relationships.  Further, our differences are a powerful asset when we work together, but most people don’t know how to harness our differences effectively.  Many are so afraid of saying the wrong thing at work – or having it taken the wrong way – that they chose to say nothing – and that’s definitely not good for business. We can move mountains and solve any problem if we work together.  This session provides a proven blueprint on how to work with people who are “not like you” with actionable, realistic tactics that you can apply right away.

Kelly McDonald, Sales, Marketing, Trends and Customer Experience Expert, McDonald Marketing

Sponsored by

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Sponsored by

The Power of Meat 2025

This year we are celebrating the 20th year of The Power of Meat!! Join Anne-Marie Roerink from 210 Analytics for this must-attend, peer-recommended session that takes an in-depth look at meat perceptions and realities. This year’s study focuses on the big themes dominating the meat and poultry landscape, including affordability, permissibility and favorability. Join to see what worked and what didn’t in 2024, with lessons for success in 2025. Anne-Marie’s insights will challenge your thinking about how the meat industry can help overcome the overriding focus on price and promotions. Don’t miss the consistently top-rated session that will inform your company’s success in the coming year!

Anne-Marie Roerink, President, 210 Analytics, LLC

Sponsored by

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Concurrent Workshops

The Power of Meat 2025 After Party: 20th Anniversary Edition

Didn’t get enough of The Power of Meat 2025 during our main stage session? Still have burning questions you want to ask? This is your opportunity to submit any and all questions and get the answers from Anne-Marie Roerink, author and presenter of the Power of Meat along with one or more special guests who will add their own perspectives to POM insights. This interactive Q&A session is always a party, and this year is sure to be no different.

Anne-Marie Roerink, President, 210 Analytics, LLC
Kiersten Hafer, VP Strategy and Business Intelligence, National Pork Board
Tristen Kendall-Barros, Vice President, Marketing, Roche Brothers
Jason Resner, President, DNR Sales & Marketing Strategy Advisors

Sponsored by

Regulatory and Policy Update

Hear up to date information on issues of importance to both retailers and processors from leading experts. Expert presentations will focus on groundbreaking issues in meat and poultry and may include information about the Farm Bill, state animal welfare laws, greenhouse gas emissions, antibiotic residue testing, packaging regulations, labeling issues and more. This fast-paced session will cover a variety of topics at a high level for awareness and allow time at the end for you to ask the experts to dive deeper on matters of particular interest.  No matter what your role is in the industry, you will take away knowledge to help you be prepared for the coming year.

Dan Felton, President & CEO, Flexible Packaging Association
Brian Eyink Partner, Global Regulatory, Hogan Lovells

Sponsored by

Welcome Reception

Registration

Breakfast

2025 Market Outlook for Meat and Poultry

Break

Concurrent Workshops

Market Outlook Deep Dive

Join this breakout extended time for Q&A and further discussion with AMC’s economic experts and a special guest who will help knit all the pieces together for a comprehensive overall outlook that will benefit even those who are new to the industry. Attendees can take advantage of this opportunity for further discussion on the livestock and meat landscapes to gain a better understanding of market conditions and how they will affect the protein businesses in the coming year.

Randy Blach, Chief Executive Officer, CattleFax
Lee Schulz, Chief Economist, Ever.Ag.
Christine McCracken, Executive Director, Protein Analyst, Rabobank
Brian Earnest, Lead Protein Industry Analyst, CoBank

Sponsored by

Engaging Critics in Constructive Conversations

Sometimes talking to consumers about buying and eating meat can feel a little like bringing up religion or politics at a dinner party. Social media, news reports and personal values about perceived healthfulness, animal welfare and sustainability can color people’s attitudes and make these conversations feel uncomfortable. In this session, participants will learn communications strategies to help them gain the confidence to engage with consumers and the broader public in informative and effective ways. Panelists will share examples of how they’ve executed effective consumer messaging campaigns and share tools and resources to support the advocacy of meat as an important part of the diet.

Donna Moenning, Sr. Program Director, The Center for Food Integrity
Jacque Matsen, Owner and President, Relate Strategies, LLC
Melissa Brewer, Vice President of Communications, Certified Angus Beef LLC
Reba Hatcher, Chief Commercial Officer, ButcherBox

The AI-Informed Meat Department

Explore the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) to address challenges and unlock opportunities across the meat supply chain. Industry experts will share current applications and discuss how the combination of human management and AI-generated insights can lead to success.

Gary Hawkins, CEO, Center for Advancing Retail & Technology, LLC
Joshua McCann, Head of HQ Client Delivery & Analytics, SymphonyAI

Sponsored by

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Meat the Future: Executives Navigate Retail's Evolving Landscape

A panel of industry executives will share their perspectives on the role of the meat department in today’s food retail store. In this strategy-focused session panelists will explore opportunities for innovation, ways they are exciting and engaging today’s omnichannel consumers, what they expect from their meat suppliers and how they are adapting to meet future demands.

Exhibit Hall

The AMC Exhibit Hall brings together over 140 exhibitors alongside a variety of tastings, a Tuesday lunch, and innovative breakthroughs in meat retail.  You can explore trends, network with industry leaders, and find the partners and tools for everything from premium products to technology-driven solutions.

Make a Plan – Search Exhibitors & View Floorplan

Registration

Breakfast

Behind the Meat Counter: Pork Carcass Fabrication

Break

Regenerative Agriculture 101: A Beginner’s Guide

Join us for an engaging and informative session designed specifically for anyone in the retail meat industry who is eager to learn more about regenerative agriculture. This panel discussion will demystify regenerative practices and illustrate how they can enhance customer appeal of meat products related to sustainability and environmental stewardship. You will also learn how sustainability practices like regen ag fit into an overall sustainability strategy for your supply chain and business.

Nancy Himmelfarb, Principal, Himmelfarb Sustainability Consulting
Paul Greive, Founder, Pasturebird
Austin Allred, Owner, Royal Family Farming

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What's Ahead for Meat?: Exploring the Impact of the New Administration

Amid uncertainty around inflation, federal programs, and agency leadership changes, what does the future hold for the meat retail industry? How could actions of the administration and Congress leaders impact the industry? Join insightful and straightforward political analyst, Ron Elving, Senior Washington Editor for National Public Radio, as he sheds light on the complexities of the current landscape and how they could impact the industry, consumers and your organizations in the coming months.

Ron Elving, National Public Radio