Action-packed. That’s one way to describe the upcoming 2025 National Pork Industry Forum (Forum) that will take place March 12-14 in Orlando, Fla. Pork producers will gather from around the country for one of the pork industry’s most important and exciting events of the year.
A special highlight of this year’s event will be the 40th anniversary celebration of the Pork Checkoff, says Alex Wibholm, National Pork Board (NPB) senior vice president of operations.
“NPB will celebrate our history but look to the future,” Wibholm says. “As an industry, we have so much to be proud of, but we need to make pork relevant and relatable to the next generation of consumers to help the next 40 years be successful. To help accomplish this, the National Pork Board will unveil its largest consumer marketing campaign since “Pork. The Other White Meat.” It’s time to get excited and optimistic about the future of pork.”
Hosted by the NPB and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the agenda is filled with opportunities for producers to make their voice heard, learn about new developments taking place in the industry and most importantly, connect with fellow producers.
What You Can Expect
The event will kick off on March 12 with comments by NPB president Al Wulfekuhle and NPPC president Lori Stevermer, followed by an afternoon of state caucuses. The first day will wrap up with keynote speaker Tracy Walder.
“For those unfamiliar with Ms. Walder, she has a storied career taking down some of the world’s most notorious terrorists with the CIA and FBI in our post-9/11 world,” Wibholm adds. “She is a true American hero, and her story is inspiring.”
On Thursday, NPPC and NPB delegates will meet in sessions throughout the day.
“The agenda is packed with business-driven sessions,” Wibholm says. “Some highlights include the awards luncheon, where we will honor the storied careers of three deserving industry leaders, and the panel discussion with the NPB and NPPC board officers.”
Connect and Network
To make the most of your experience at Forum, Wibholm encourages producers and attendees to take advantage of the opportunity to network.
“Forum is one of the best venues for producers to connect with other farmers and staff from our state pork associations and national organizations,” Wibholm says. “Get to know people and be active in your industry.”
That’s exactly what Kevin Rasmussen, a producer from Iowa and NPB Board of Directors member, plans to do.
“I attend the National Pork Industry Forum because I have a passion for the industry that has played a major role in my career. I attend to meet other producers with that same passion,” he says. “I learn something new from others and share my successes and challenges. Producers combine their leadership skills to devise a solution to our industry’s challenges.”
The passion in the room will be contagious at Forum.
“We come together as a unified group to find the best solution to our challenges,” Rasmussen says. “You will grow as a leader if you surround yourself with good people doing the right thing. I always leave Forum feeling full of new energy.”
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