Featured Session A Featured Session on “AI: Food Safety’s Friend or Foe?” offered a deeper look into how AI is reshaping food safety, which featured four expert voices from across the industry, moderated by Western Growers’
The 99th Western Growers Annual Meeting attracted a record number of attendees, with more than 500 of the specialty crop industry’s top business leaders participating in dynamic networking events, educational breakout sessions, thought-provoking keynote speakers and nautical-themed parties amid the beauty of the legendary Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado, Calif. Kickoff Keynote The first full day of the Annual Meeting featured Bryan Stern as the Kickoff Keynote. Bryan Stern is known for his extraordinary work in crisis response worldwide. With over 25 years in the U.S. Army, Navy and the Intelligence Community, he has led more than 700 missions and rescued over 7,100 people from conflict zones including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Russia, Haiti and Gaza. PAC Lunch The PAC Lunch was focused on conversation between WG President and CEO Dave Puglia and Eli Lake of The Free Press, a veteran journalist with extensive experience reporting on foreign affairs and national security, for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation on national and geopolitical affairs. AgSharks ® AgSharks ® returned this year, and the sharks were hungrier than ever. Precision irrigation system Lumo was selected as the Audience Choice Award winner during the pitch competition.
Joelle Mosso, AVP, Science Programs. Chair’s Lunch and Keynote
During the Chair’s Lunch and Keynote, WG Chair Stuart Woolf took the reins to reflect on his past two years of service, thanking WG members, the WG Board of Directors, sponsors and industry VIPs for their dedication to advancing the specialty crop industry. After his remarks and luncheon, Woolf conducted a Q&A with American economist Jeremy Siegel, Russell E. Palmer Professor of Finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and discussed the state of the economy and the impact of the current Administration’s policies on the U.S. and the world. Award of Honor Dinner Gala The Award of Honor Dinner Gala focused on
Annual Meeting The Premier Industry Networking and Educational Event in Agriculture.
the many achievements of Stewart Resnick, Chairman, President and Co-Owner of The Wonderful Company. Comedian Aaron Weber, a Grand Ole Opry regular, closed out the evening, unleashing roaring laughter with his wit and humor.
A number of attendees extended their stays the following morning, opting to play in the Growers Cup presented by Western Growers Health and the Western Growers Pickleball Classic .
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