FEATURE STORY
Kauai to Set the Stage for the 97 th Western Growers Annual Meeting By Michelle Rivera, Communications Manager K auai, also known as the Garden Island, will serve as the backdrop for this year’s Western Growers
in the U.S. in 2020. She has authored more than 60 scientific papers on animal behavior and more than a dozen books on animal behavior and autism, including her latest New York Times bestselling book, “Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions.” With her unique background, Grandin will offer perspectives on how alternative ways of thinking can offer solutions to challenges faced by our industry. The PAC Luncheon will begin at noon, where Michael Shellenberger, leading investigative journalist and Founder and President of Environmental Progress, will be joining as a guest speaker. Shellenberger is the best-selling author of “San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities” and “Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All” and is a Twitter Files reporter. A climate and environmental activist for more than 30 years, Shellenberger is an expert on climate change, energy policy and the environment and advocates for nuclear energy. The Western Growers Political Action Committee (PAC) provides strategic campaign support to elected officials and candidates. Proceeds from our annual PAC Luncheon help amplify our members’ voices in political contests across Arizona, California and elsewhere. You can secure your spot at the PAC Luncheon by
purchasing a ticket during registration. In the afternoon of Nov. 13, the Annual Meeting will offer its first Featured Session: “What Does Artificial Intelligence Mean for Agriculture and Food?” The role of AI in modern agriculture has become a rapidly evolving topic. How will AI improve and potentially accelerate automation and biological solutions, and are there over-hyped solutions that are unlikely to emerge? What impact will increased investment in AI in non-ag fields have on agriculture solutions? Later that evening, we’ll host our much-anticipated Party with the Partners event at 6:30 p.m. Bring your “Aloha Spirit” as we honor Western Growers’ loyal members and industry partners, all within the beautiful backdrop of Kauai. This memorable event will be filled with delicious refreshments, festive cocktails, live music and networking opportunities as we “Party Under the Palms.” The next day kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with our sixth annual AgSharks® Competition, an event that takes center stage as one of the Annual Meeting’s most exciting highlights. Watch this impressive showdown as three entrepreneurial agtech finalists pitch their innovations in front of a live audience to potentially win a $250,000 investment to help bring their technologies to market. A judging panel of growers and venture capitalists from WG partner S2G Ventures will decide on the winner. The Chair’s Luncheon and Keynote will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 11:45 a.m., where world-renowned futurist and AI expert Jim Carroll will deliver compelling insight into how AI is transforming our industry and what your company can do to stay ahead of this emerging megatrend. Carroll has spent the last 30 years on the leading edge of emerging disruptive trends and innovation, sharing his crystal ball with leading organizations like the World Bank, Walt Disney, NASA,
Annual Meeting, which will be held at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa from Nov. 12-15, 2023. The premier event, which also marks the 97 th WG Annual Meeting, provides an opportunity for our membership to network with industry peers and form meaningful connections with the most influential growers, shippers and processors in the western produce industry. Carrying forward with our tradition of excellence, we’ve assembled some of the industry’s leading speakers, engaging panel discussions and a series of exciting social events spread across a few eventful days amidst some of the most picturesque landscapes nature has to offer. The event opens on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, with all-day registration at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa and a Welcome Reception that will kick off at 5 p.m. On Nov. 13, the Kickoff Keynote will be delivered by American academic and animal behaviorist Dr. Temple Grandin. Grandin is a champion of the humane treatment of livestock, autism rights and inclusive neurodiversity. A current faculty member with Animal Sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University, she was named as one of the top 10 college professors
Kickoff Keynote Speaker Dr. Temple Grandin
PAC Luncheon Speaker Michael Shellenberger
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SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2023
Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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