GFAI 2026 Annual Convention & Trade Show
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Gateway To The Future
February 15-17, 2026 St. Louis Union Station Hotel: 1820 Market Street, St. Louis, MO 63103 Join us for the 2026 Annual Convention and Trade Show in St. Louis "Gateway to the Future" a dynamic gathering where tradition meets innovation. Convention offers you the opportunity to:
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Thank You Convention Sponsors!
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Platinum Sponsors
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Gold Sponsors
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Silver Sponsors
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Bronze Sponsors
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Pre registration has closed. Please register onsite at Union Station at the convention registration desk. Please email [email protected] with questions as staff will not be in the office over the weekend to take phone calls.
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Support the GFAI Scholarship Fund!
Draw Down Raffle Ticket Only 200 tickets sold. 1st place winner receives $2,500. Tickets can be added to your registration or click on the ticket to purchase tickets: $50 a ticket. 
GFAI Scholarship T-Shirt
The Scholarship students will be giving out GFAI Scholarship T-shirts at the Scholarship Table during the Sunday night reception. A limited number will be available so stop by the Scholarship Table and introduce yourself to a scholarship student and receive a t-shirt! 
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Exhibitor Information
The Trade Show is Sold Out!
If you are an exhibitor and need to register for convention, contact [email protected] |
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Sessions and Speakers -- Updated Regularly
Keynote Speaker: Chuck Gallagher
AI 2.0: Unlocking Your Gateway to the Future
Step into the next evolution of artificial intelligence with AI 2.0: Unlocking Your Gateway to the Future. This live, highly interactive program goes beyond theory—inviting you to explore real-world AI tools, ethical implications, and hands-on applications that are transforming business today. Through live demonstrations and group engagement, participants will uncover how AI can drive innovation, improve decision-making, and reshape leadership in the digital age—all while staying grounded in ethics and human values.
4 Key Takeaways:
AI 2.0: Unlocking Your Gateway to the Future
Step into the next evolution of artificial intelligence with AI 2.0: Unlocking Your Gateway to the Future. This live, highly interactive program goes beyond theory—inviting you to explore real-world AI tools, ethical implications, and hands-on applications that are transforming business today. Through live demonstrations and group engagement, participants will uncover how AI can drive innovation, improve decision-making, and reshape leadership in the digital age—all while staying grounded in ethics and human values.
4 Key Takeaways:
- Practical AI Applications — See how today’s AI tools can boost productivity, creativity, and strategy.
- Ethical Frameworks for AI — Learn how to ensure technology aligns with integrity and transparency.
- Leadership in the Age of AI — Understand how to guide teams through innovation responsibly.
- Your AI Action Plan — Leave with a clear roadmap to begin integrating AI into your organization.
Breakout Sessions
The Power of Connection: Mastering the Art of Effective Communication
Chuck Gallagher, Ethics & AI Speaker and Author
Communication defines culture—inside and outside your organization. The Power of Connection is a live, interactive experience designed to strengthen how leaders, teams, and organizations communicate both internally and with customers. Through engaging stories, real-world examples, and practical exercises, Chuck Gallagher reveals how intentional communication builds trust, resolves conflict, and drives performance at every level in your company!
The Future of Inland Navigation
Tom Heinold, Operations Division Chief, US Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District and Andrew Schimpf, Acting Chief of Operations, US Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District
Join representatives from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the current state and future outlook of inland navigation across the region. This session will provide updates on infrastructure progress, channel and lock conditions, funding challenges, and upcoming projects that impact the systems that move much of our grain. With historical context and a forward-looking perspective, presenters will highlight key developments and offer insights into what lies ahead for the inland marine transportation system.
From Prompt to Production: A Live Look at AI in the Grain Industry
Rob Huston, Co-Founder of Innovative Grain
What if you could build a useful business tool in under an hour with no coding experience? In this session, Rob Huston, a data solutions leader with over 30 years in agricultural commodities, teams up with Joe Logsdon, a grain manager and AI enthusiast, to show you how. Using a live demonstration, they'll walk through how AI can be applied to everyday challenges in the grain and feed industry, from streamlining operations to making sense of your data. Whether you're curious about AI or skeptical of the buzz, you'll leave with a clear picture of what's possible and practical for your business.
Securing the Structure: Grain Storage Inspections
Dylan Schulenberg ARM- Regional Manager of Loss Control, Triangle Insurance Company, Inc.
From the Gateway Arch to the future of the industry, strong structures matter. This breakout session explores grain storage inspections across concrete and steel facilities, with an emphasis on common structural concerns and proactive maintenance practices. Learn how regular inspections and preventative care can reduce risk, extend the life of your storage, and support safe, reliable operations well into the future.
Steel Tracks to a Transcontinental Future: Updates on the Proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger
Ken Eriksen, Managing Member, Polaris Analytics and Consulting
From the historic halls of St. Louis Union Station—a legendary gateway that once linked America’s railroads—this session will be a timely update on the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Announced in July 2025 and formally filed with the Surface Transportation Board on December 19, 2025, this landmark deal promises to create the nation’s first true transcontinental freight railroad, with claims of enhanced efficiencies, reduced truck traffic, and strengthened supply chains. In this breakout session, we’ll explore key merger features, potential benefits for agriculture—such as improved grain flow and market access—and critical stakes, including impacts on rates, service competition, and reliability. With more questions than answers at this stage, gain insights to navigate what could be a transformative shift for farmers, grain handlers, merchandisers, processors, and transportation partners.
From Policy to Power: Illinois Energy Updates
Industry Experts from Ameren and the Illinois Energy Association
Explore the latest Illinois energy policy shifts and how they could shape operations, costs, and opportunities in the grain and feed industry. This session will break down recent legislative changes and highlight what may be next on the state’s energy horizon.
The Power of Connection: Mastering the Art of Effective Communication
Chuck Gallagher, Ethics & AI Speaker and Author
Communication defines culture—inside and outside your organization. The Power of Connection is a live, interactive experience designed to strengthen how leaders, teams, and organizations communicate both internally and with customers. Through engaging stories, real-world examples, and practical exercises, Chuck Gallagher reveals how intentional communication builds trust, resolves conflict, and drives performance at every level in your company!
The Future of Inland Navigation
Tom Heinold, Operations Division Chief, US Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District and Andrew Schimpf, Acting Chief of Operations, US Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District
Join representatives from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the current state and future outlook of inland navigation across the region. This session will provide updates on infrastructure progress, channel and lock conditions, funding challenges, and upcoming projects that impact the systems that move much of our grain. With historical context and a forward-looking perspective, presenters will highlight key developments and offer insights into what lies ahead for the inland marine transportation system.
From Prompt to Production: A Live Look at AI in the Grain Industry
Rob Huston, Co-Founder of Innovative Grain
What if you could build a useful business tool in under an hour with no coding experience? In this session, Rob Huston, a data solutions leader with over 30 years in agricultural commodities, teams up with Joe Logsdon, a grain manager and AI enthusiast, to show you how. Using a live demonstration, they'll walk through how AI can be applied to everyday challenges in the grain and feed industry, from streamlining operations to making sense of your data. Whether you're curious about AI or skeptical of the buzz, you'll leave with a clear picture of what's possible and practical for your business.
Securing the Structure: Grain Storage Inspections
Dylan Schulenberg ARM- Regional Manager of Loss Control, Triangle Insurance Company, Inc.
From the Gateway Arch to the future of the industry, strong structures matter. This breakout session explores grain storage inspections across concrete and steel facilities, with an emphasis on common structural concerns and proactive maintenance practices. Learn how regular inspections and preventative care can reduce risk, extend the life of your storage, and support safe, reliable operations well into the future.
Steel Tracks to a Transcontinental Future: Updates on the Proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger
Ken Eriksen, Managing Member, Polaris Analytics and Consulting
From the historic halls of St. Louis Union Station—a legendary gateway that once linked America’s railroads—this session will be a timely update on the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Announced in July 2025 and formally filed with the Surface Transportation Board on December 19, 2025, this landmark deal promises to create the nation’s first true transcontinental freight railroad, with claims of enhanced efficiencies, reduced truck traffic, and strengthened supply chains. In this breakout session, we’ll explore key merger features, potential benefits for agriculture—such as improved grain flow and market access—and critical stakes, including impacts on rates, service competition, and reliability. With more questions than answers at this stage, gain insights to navigate what could be a transformative shift for farmers, grain handlers, merchandisers, processors, and transportation partners.
From Policy to Power: Illinois Energy Updates
Industry Experts from Ameren and the Illinois Energy Association
Explore the latest Illinois energy policy shifts and how they could shape operations, costs, and opportunities in the grain and feed industry. This session will break down recent legislative changes and highlight what may be next on the state’s energy horizon.
Tuesday Speakers
Forecasting the Future: Climate Patterns and Grain Production Through 2026
Matthew Makens, Meteorologist/Atmospheric Scientist, Makens Weather LLC
This session will explore how global weather patterns, especially El Niño and La Niña, are expected to impact Illinois and U.S. grain production in 2026, as well as international markets. We’ll focus on outlooks for our region through 2026 and discuss long-term trends that shape our agricultural productivity over decades. Gain insights as a Gateway to the Future to inform succession planning and prepare for major pattern shifts in the years and generations ahead.
The Gateway to the Agricultural Economy's Future
Jacqui Fatka, Lead Economist - Farm Supply and Biofuels, CoBank
What lies ahead for the agricultural economy — and how you can prepare. In this forward-looking session, Jacqui Fatka, lead economist at CoBank, will explore the key forces shaping the ag economy today and into 2026. Hear more about the margin squeeze facing farmers with rising input costs, volatility created from trade uncertainty, and how biofuels remain a lifeline for U.S. grain and oilseeds demand.
Federal Insights for a Changing Ag Landscape
Stephen Vaden, United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
This session brings members face‑to‑face with Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden for a timely update on federal policy, infrastructure challenges, trade dynamics, and labor issues affecting agriculture. Attendees will gain clarity on what’s stable, what’s shifting, and what to watch in the months ahead. Q&A included.
Forecasting the Future: Climate Patterns and Grain Production Through 2026
Matthew Makens, Meteorologist/Atmospheric Scientist, Makens Weather LLC
This session will explore how global weather patterns, especially El Niño and La Niña, are expected to impact Illinois and U.S. grain production in 2026, as well as international markets. We’ll focus on outlooks for our region through 2026 and discuss long-term trends that shape our agricultural productivity over decades. Gain insights as a Gateway to the Future to inform succession planning and prepare for major pattern shifts in the years and generations ahead.
The Gateway to the Agricultural Economy's Future
Jacqui Fatka, Lead Economist - Farm Supply and Biofuels, CoBank
What lies ahead for the agricultural economy — and how you can prepare. In this forward-looking session, Jacqui Fatka, lead economist at CoBank, will explore the key forces shaping the ag economy today and into 2026. Hear more about the margin squeeze facing farmers with rising input costs, volatility created from trade uncertainty, and how biofuels remain a lifeline for U.S. grain and oilseeds demand.
Federal Insights for a Changing Ag Landscape
Stephen Vaden, United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
This session brings members face‑to‑face with Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden for a timely update on federal policy, infrastructure challenges, trade dynamics, and labor issues affecting agriculture. Attendees will gain clarity on what’s stable, what’s shifting, and what to watch in the months ahead. Q&A included.
Convention Agenda
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Sunday, February 15
Exhibitor Set Up & Registration 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Trade Show Open 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Reception in the Trade Show 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Exhibitor Lightning Talks 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm Casino Night at Hotel 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm *Free event to all convention registrants |
Monday, February 16
Registration 7:00 am - 4:00 pm Legislative Council For Better 7:30 am - 8:30 am Government Breakfast (ticketed event) Trade Show Open 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Breakfast 7:30 am - 8:45 am General Session, Annual 9:00 am - 11:15 am Meeting, Live Auction Lunch in the Trade Show 11:30 am -1:00 pm Educational Sessions I 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm Educational Sessions II 2:00 pm - 2:50 pm Reception in the Trade Show 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Draw Down Raffle Drawing 4:15 pm Silent Auction Closes 4:45 pm Exhibitor Tear Down 5:00 pm |
Tuesday, February 17
Breakfast 7:00 am - 9:00 am Closing General Session 7:45 am - 10:30 am |