The Animal Agriculture Alliance has unveiled the 2019 Stakeholders Summit speaker lineup, which includes Andy Curliss, CEO of the North Carolina Pork Council, who will give an in-depth look at how coordinated advocacy is threatening animal agriculture. This year’s Summit is themed “A Seat At The Table” and the lineup will tackle diverse topics from understanding consumer perceptions to engaging influencers to protecting farms and other agricultural operations from activist threats. The event will be May 8-9 at the InterContinental at the Plaza Hotel in Kansas City, Mo.

Curliss will close the event with a session — “Farmers Under Fire” — and will cover several specific case studies (including the recent nuisance lawsuit verdicts in North Carolina). He will offer an unprecedented look at the ongoing attacks against the industry and provide attendees with insights on how to protect their livelihood.

“If you think $550 million in jury verdicts in North Carolina are just about pigs in North Carolina, you are mistaken,” Curliss says. “The industry as a whole can learn a lot from the issues we are dealing with.”

Prior to joining the NCPC, Curliss led the public affairs and strategic communications division at Gelia, Wells & Mohr, a national marketing and communications agency, where he advised executive-level clients on matters concerning business, public policy and communications. Curliss began his career in journalism and has two decades of experience as an editor and investigative reporter.

The annual Stakeholders Summit brings top thought leaders in the industry together to discuss hot-button issues and out-of-the-box ideas. The 2019 event will focus on engagement between key stakeholders in restaurant, retail and foodservice companies, farms and ranches, government agencies, agribusinesses, and agriculture and food associations. 

“Unfortunately, preparing for legal attacks from activist groups is a necessity for everyone in animal agriculture,” says Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “We’ve followed the nuisance lawsuits in North Carolina closely and are very concerned about the precedent they may be setting. Mr. Curliss’ unique perspective will be highly valuable for our attendees as they prepare for similar tactics being used in their industries and communities.”

Early registration discounts are available through Feb. 1. To view the agenda and register, visit AnimalAgAlliance.org/Summit.

Source: Animal Agriculture Alliance, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.