REGISTRATION BROCHURE
December 7-9, 2016 • Memphis, TN
2016 USA RICE OUTLOOK CONFERENCE
T
he USA Rice Outlook Conference is an educational service of USA Rice, which is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of farmers, millers, merchants and allied businesses. This year’s conference will be held at the Memphis Cook Convention Center in Memphis, TN. The adjacent Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel is the official conference hotel.
CONFERENCE HOTEL:
CONVENTION CENTER:
Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel 250 North Main Street Memphis, TN 38103 Phone: (901) 527-7300 Sheraton Central Reservations: (866) 716-8134
Memphis Cook Convention Center 255 North Main Street Memphis, TN 38103
HOTEL ROOM RATES, DATES AND AVAILABILITY: USA Rice has a special conference rate of $145 for single/double rooms and are available on a first-come, first-served basis for reservations made no later than Nov. 4. Making reservations by this deadline does not guarantee that a room is available, so it is recommended you make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. The conference rates are available for the meeting dates Wednesday, Dec. 7 through Saturday, December 10, as well as three days prior and three days after, subject to availability.
HOTEL CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT TIMES: Check-in is 3:00 p.m. and check-out is noon. PARKING: The Sheraton offers valet parking at $26 + tax daily for overnight guests and $12 + tax for day visitors. Self-parking is available at a daily rate of $10 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center Parking Garage, which is operated by the City of Memphis and is located under the Convention Center. The entrance is on Front Street. TRANSPORTATION: The Sheraton is located twelve miles from Memphis International Airport. The Sheraton does not have a shuttle service. Taxis depart from the center commercial drive in front of the Concourse B baggage claim area. One-way taxi fare between the airport and hotel
HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Call the hotel directly at (901) 527-7300 or central reservations at (866) 716-8134 and ask for the special USA Rice rate, or click here to reserve your room online. Please keep your reservation confirmation number.
continued on next page
2
2016 USA RICE OUTLOOK CONFERENCE
TROLLEY SERVICE: Memphis Area Transit Authority operates a trolley service. There are three lines offering access around the downtown area and area attractions. The Sheraton is on the Main Street line, picking up at the Convention Center stop. Base fare is $1.00. A day pass is available for $3.50 and a 3-day pass is $9.00. MEMPHIS COOK CONVENTION CENTER: The Sheraton Memphis Downtown is connected by skywalk to the Memphis Cook Convention Center. A short walk, the convention center is a mere 305 feet from the hotel. The exhibit hall will be in Southwest Hall and general sessions will take place in Ballrooms B, C, D and E. PHOTO RELEASE: Any pictures and video taken by USA Rice may be used in publicizing USA Rice events, including this and future conferences.
Steve Roberts / Copyright © Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau 2011 All Rights Reserved.
is approximately $30 including fees and tip. Uber and Lyft will pick up on the baggage level commercial drive. Follow “Transportation Network Company” signs to designated area for pickups.
of the conference program must pay the general registration fee. Guest registration does not include guest events/tours with separate fees (see registration form) or any guest events that require ticket purchase.
REGISTRATION: Registration Type
Early Registration (Through Nov. 11)
Late and Onsite Registration (After Nov. 11)
General
$195
$225
Guest
$125
$125
Name Badges. Name badges are required for admittance to all conference functions. Name badges are issued only to conference registrants and registered guests.
General Registration. Register by Nov. 11 for the lowest rate. The general registration fee provides admittance to the entire conference program, trade show, continental breakfasts, receptions in the Exhibit Hall, and the Rice Awards Luncheon. It does not include guest events/tours with separate fees (see registration form) or any special events that require ticket purchases.
Registration Refund Policy. To be eligible for a registration refund, a cancellation notice must be received in writing. A full refund will be made for cancellations received prior to Nov. 25, 2016. No refunds will be made after that date. Special Assistance. Persons requiring special accommodations to attend or participate in this conference should contact Jeanette Davis at (703) 236-1447 or e-mail jdavis@usarice.com no later than Nov. 25, 2016.
Guest Registration. The guest registration fee provides admittance to receptions and lunch in the Exhibit Hall and the Rice Awards Luncheon only. Those interested in attending all or any portion
3
SCHEDULE Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION DESK OPEN
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
USA RICE OUTLOOK CONFERENCE GRAND OPENING RECEPTION
7:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
USA RICE PAC EVENT (Ticketed event)
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION DESK OPEN
7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
EXHIBIT HALL WITH CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
VISIT EXHIBITORS
7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
New
INNOVATION STAGE IN EXHIBIT HALL
10:00 a.m. to Noon
GENERAL SESSION I
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
USA RICE OUTLOOK ANNUAL RICE AWARDS LUNCHEON
1:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OUTLOOK
1:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
STATE OUTLOOK AND RESEARCH REPORTS (MS, TX, CA)
1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
GUEST EVENT: MEMPHIS MUSIC SOUL TOUR
3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
BREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL
4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
COMMODITY MARKET OUTLOOK
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
ANNUAL USA RICE OUTLOOK CONFERENCE RECEPTION
Friday, Dec. 9, 2016 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
REGISTRATION DESK OPEN
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
EXHIBIT HALL WITH CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
New
INNOVATION STAGE IN EXHIBIT HALL
8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
STATE OUTLOOK AND RESEARCH REPORTS (MO, AR, LA)
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
GUEST EVENT: THE VICTORIAN VILLAGE TOUR
10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
BREAK IN EXHIBIT HALL
10:30 a.m. to Noon
GENERAL SESSION II
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
LITE LUNCH IN EXHIBIT HALL
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
New
INNOVATION STAGE IN EXHIBIT HALL
1:00 p.m.
EXHIBIT HALL CLOSES
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL OUTLOOK
3:00 p.m.
2016 USA RICE OUTLOOK CONFERENCE ADJOURNS
4
SPEAKERS Keynote: General Session I DR. MICHAEL MASSIMINO, PH.D Columbia University Professor Former NASA Astronaut Dr. Michael Massimino, Ph.D., has had the distinction of being the first person to Tweet from space! Massimino had a distinguished career as an astronaut; he and his shuttle crews traveled faster and higher than any other astronauts in the 21st century, and he performed the most dangerous and complex repair job in history, when he and his crew repaired the Hubble Space Telescope in 2009. He is an author and serves as a science consultant for the popular TV sitcom, The Big Bang Theory, on which he sometimes plays himself.
General Session II BILL BRIDGFORTH Ag Attorney Ramsay, Bridgforth, Robinson & Raley LLP.
General Session II STUART JONES U.S. Ambassador to Iraq
Commodity Market Outlook RICHARD BROCK President Brock Associates
General Session I SHELLEY VAN TREECK Global Chief Procurement Officer Kellogg Company
Economic and Political Outlook NATHAN CHILDS Senior Economist USDA/ERS
Economic and Political Outlook JIM WIESEMEYER Senior Vice President, Washington Bureau Informa Economics
5
GUEST EVENTS
MEMPHIS MUSIC SOUL TOUR
COMPLIMENTARY BASS PRO/ DUCKS UNLIMITED EXHIBIT TOUR
Date: Thursday, Dec. 8 Time: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (meet at registration desk no later than 1:15 p.m.) Cost: $95
Date: Thursday, Dec. 8 Times: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Embark on a musical driving tour of Memphis with a singing tour guide. Your guide will entertain you with blues, rock, gospel, soul music and the rich history of Memphis, TN. You will see famous Beale Street, the Mississippi River, Stax records as well as other “hidden” sites only Memphian’s know. Lastly enjoy a 45-minute tour at Sun Studios, the “Birthplace of Rock n’ Roll”. This is a guided tour where the legendary greats like B. B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, and Elvis Presley recorded their first hits.
Date: Friday, Dec 9 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Cost: $0 The Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center, inside the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, offers visitors an opportunity to learn about Ducks Unlimited, wetlands conservation, waterfowl, the history of waterfowl hunting in North America, and the important role sportsmen and women have played in conserving our continent’s wildlife and habitat.
Tour Includes: • Transportation • Musical Guided Tour and Admission Fees Minimum: 20 participants Maximum: 38 participants
The “Rice and Ducks” display educates attendees about U.S. grown rice and the intrinsic tie between these working wetlands and waterfowl. As part of the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership efforts to sustain the future of rice, this exhibit explains the annual cycle of rice farming and elaborates the many important environmental benefits of rice farming. Ducks Unlimited staff will be on hand at the center to answer questions and guide you on your journey during the dates and hours noted above. The Bass Pro Shop is within walking distance from the hotel, which allows attendees to participate at their own leisure.
THE VICTORIAN VILLAGE TOUR Date: Friday, Dec. 9 Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (meet at registration desk no later than 9:15 a.m.) Cost: $80 Explore the Victorian Village, a neighborhood of 19th century buildings that have survived prosperity, war, yellow fever and urban renewal. Twelve buildings in the neighborhood are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While exploring this area, guests will enjoy a guided tour through the historical WoodruffFontaine Mansion. This is an 1871 French Victorian mansion that has been kept in era-specific condition. The mansion museum has one of the most extensive Victorian era fashion 1920’s textile collections in the south!
Guest Event Cancellations and Refund Policy: Guest event spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. An event may be cancelled if minimum sign-up is not met. Refunds will be issued for guest events cancelled by USA Rice and/or if space fills up. Cancellation refund requests must be submitted in writing. A full refund will be made for cancellations received through Nov. 25, 2016. No refunds will be made after that date.
Tour Includes: • Transportation • Historical Guided Tour and Admission Fees Minimum: 20 participants Maximum: 40 participants
6
Allen Gillespie/ Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau
The following guest events are offered for registered attendees and guests only. Advance payment is required (see registration form) to reserve a spot.
2016 USA Rice Outlook Conference Registration Form Please register yourself and guest(s) only. Name:
Badge Name:
Name:
Badge Name:
Name:
Badge Name:
(primary registrant)
(if different)
(guest registrant)
(if different)
(guest registrant)
(if different)
Farm/Company: Telephone: Address: City/State/Zip: Mobile: Fax: E-mail: Affiliation: Affiliation refers to your primary relationship with the U.S. rice industry: Farmer, Miller, Rough Rice Merchant, Seed Business, End User, Government/Extension/University, Crop Protection Products, Crop Consultant, Farm Equipment/Technology, Ag Lender, Industry Relations/Advocacy, Other (please specify): Registration
Fee
Early Conference Registration – Prior to Nov. 11
$195
Late and Onsite Conference Registration – Nov. 11 and After
$225
Guest Registration
$125
Press/Media Registration
$0
Award Winner Registration
$0
Total
Please check: q Yes, I’m attending the Annual Rice Awards Luncheon (required sign-up) q No, I’m not attending Annual Rice Awards Luncheon. q Do not include my name on the registration list. q Do not include my guest(s) on the registration list. Guest Events Memphis Music Soul Tour
$95
Victorian Village Tour
$85
To register for Sponsorship, Sponsor Packages and Exhibits see Sponsor and Exhibit Brochure CREDIT CARD:
q AMEX
q MC
q VISA
Cardholder’s Name: Card Number:
q DISCOVER Exp. Date:
Security Code:
Billing Address: Billing Zip code: Signature: Date: Make checks payable to USA Rice Federation
7