AAI MEMBER EXCLUSIVE EVENT
MEMBER REGISTRATION
This is a free member event. Registration is required to assure we have plenty of food for everyone at the lunch. Block this day on your calendar now so you can attend this very important event! Please join us on October 9! Anyone who is employed by an AAI member company is welcome to attend, but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
SPEAKERS
Governor Candidates
- - Gov. Kim Reynolds (R)
- - Fred Hubbell (D)
Secretary of Agriculture Candidates
- - Sec. Mike Naig (R)
- - Tim Gannon (D)
Special Guests
- - Chris Novak, CEO of CropLife America
DAY OF AGENDA - TENTATIVE
8:30 AM - CHECK-IN (GARDEN ROOM - GATEWAY CENTER)
9:00 AM - CANDIDATE FORUM
11:45 AM - LUNCH (PROVIDED)
12:30 PM - SPECIAL SPEAKERS; CHRIS NOVAK & JOEL BRINKMEYER
2:00 PM - ADJOURN
ABOUT THE FORUM
The outcome of this year’s elections could have a significant, and long lasting, impact on your future in agribusiness. In what is arguably a unique and historic election cycle, AAI is taking the unprecedented step of hosting a candidate’s forum. This Members Only event will host four candidates, providing you the opportunity to gather important information in a single day, in a private setting, and without media coverage.
The election this fall has a greater impact than it might first appear. Though only two statewide races are on the ballot, three prominent positions are at stake. The director of the Department of Natural Resource, as well as many other agency leaders, will be appointed by the winner of this fall’s race for governor. A change in policy focus for the DNR, IDALS, or the governor’s office could produce drastic policy changes for agriculture and agribusiness.
The Governor’s race continues to be extremely close and will be battled hard until election day. Neither candidate has been elected to office. Republican candidate Governor Kim Reynolds is well known because of her current position and has a track record of support for Iowa production agriculture and agribusinesses. Democratic candidate Hubbell is a prominent Des Moines business person, who is taking this election very seriously, is well funded and is also quite well-known.
The Secretary of Agriculture race, while less prominent in the media, is just as important to agribusiness. It also has similarities to the gubernatorial race. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig served as Deputy Secretary under Bill Northey and has stepped in as Secretary since Northey’s appointment at USDA. Similar to the race for governor, Secretary Naig has never been elected in a general election, though he did win a hard-fought battle in the Iowa primaries against four other strong Republican candidates. Tim Gannon, the Democratic nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, brings personal experience in ag from his family farm and has political experience working for former US Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.
These leadership positions greatly affect your future. That is why staff have been working with the AAI Executive Committee and the leadership of AAI’s Legislative Committee – Matt Caswell, Chair, and Liz Hobart, Vice Chair – on this upcoming event.
EVENT SPONSORS
Silver Sponsors
