The National Pork Industry Conference (NPIC) will celebrate 30 years in 2026, welcoming pork producers and industry professionals from across North America to the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells on July 12–15. With the theme “Honoring 30 Years of Progress, Rewriting the Playbook for the Next 30,” NPIC will recognize three decades of progress while focusing on the conversations, leadership and ideas shaping the future of pork production.
This year’s program will feature several panels with leading North American pork producers, along with sessions focused on innovation, consumer demand, swine herd health, aging facility infrastructure, global insights and leadership in a changing environment.
The agenda will include several practical sessions including:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in pork production
- Markets session featuring Lee Schulz of Ever.Ag and Chris Gadd, Macquarie’s Hong Kong-based head of Agricultural Desk Analytics, bringing both domestic and global perspective
Ryan Lavarnway, a former Major League Baseball catcher, will serve as the keynote speaker. His presentation, “Why Not? Thinking Big and Accomplishing the Impossible,” will inspire with a message about leadership, mindset and pursuing bold goals.
“Celebrating its 30th year, NPIC stands as a reflection of the great progress, resilience, and relationships that have shaped the U.S. pork industry,” says Steve Weiss, partner at 21st Century Strategic Forums. “For three decades, this conference has brought producers and industry partners together to learn, connect and look ahead. As we mark this milestone, NPIC continues to serve as a place where meaningful conversations happen and the future of pork production takes shape.”
