August 13, 2017
National conference to focus on trust in business relationships
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Trust in business relationships will be at the forefront when Purdue University’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business hosts the 2018 National Conference for Food and Agribusiness, Nov. 6-7 in West Lafayette.
The goal of the conference is to bring together professionals from across the agri-food industry to gain industry and business insights and to thoroughly explore research directly related to the changing marketplace. The research foundation of the 2018 conference is generational shifts, industry changes and the roles of internal and external business relationships. In addition to presentations by Purdue faculty, farmer and researcher panels, and industry professionals, this year’s conference will include new breakout workshops on a variety of topics, giving attendees the chance to customize their learning experiences.
“Recent studies conducted by the center show that farms are getting larger, a generational shift is happening, and new buying processes have entered the marketplace,” said professor of agricultural economics Michael Gunderson, center director and conference presenter. “Similar change is happening in the agri-food industries with consolidations and a new generation of sales professionals coming into the marketplace. We know that industry professionals are facing new challenges that have direct impacts on building and developing trusted business relationships and we want to offer the resources to help our industry partners position their organizations for long-term success.”
Day one of the conference will include general sessions on implications of market drivers on trusted relationships, internal organizational trust, ecommerce, and becoming a trusted agribusiness advisor. Also included are a farmer panel discussion and a poster presentation highlighting applied trust in business relationships research. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one and group conversations with speakers and industry peers.
Day two will consist of hands-on professional workshops facilitated by faculty members. Workshop topics are relationships with customers, relationships with employees, farmer buying (procurement processes), and negotiation.
Conference participants will develop industry-specific skills and gain valuable insights that are immediately applicable in their day-to-day business. Attendees have the option to attend one or both days but will ultimately gain the most benefit from attending both days.
Early bird registration for day one is $779 per person and the two-day bundle is $1,195 per person through Aug. 31. Regular registration is $899 per person for day one and $1,395 per person for both days. Group rates are available by contacting research project manager Masi Keshavarz at mkeshava@purdue.edu or 765-496-3385.
Learn more and register at http://agribusiness.purdue.edu/seminars-and-events/national-conference.
Writer: Libby Witham, witham@purdue.edu
Sources: Michael Gunderson, 765-496-2010, mgunders@purdue.edu
Masi Keshavarz, 765-496-3385, mkeshava@purdue.edu
Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu
