SANDUSKY, OHIO, US — GEAPS Great Lakes Regional Conference saw over 100 attendees and exhibitors for GEAPS Great Lakes Regional Conference. The regional conference was planned by GEAPS’ Seaway, Michigan/So. Ontario and Hoosier chapters and it included an expo hall with over 30 exhibitors and seven education sessions.

Steve Records, executive director of GEAPS, attended to give an update on GEAPS’ plans for the future, attend chapter meetings and interact with GEAPS members.

“My first six months on the job have been incredibly exciting,” Records said. “We are exploring a number of ways to build the value of GEAPS, improve the impact of our existing programming, be more accessible to our members and expand to new audiences.”

After attending two chapter meetings, Records acknowledged the passion of the GEAPS members in attendance. He said a number of his conversations centered on ways to leverage that excitement and energy to expand GEAPS’ network.

Attendee Brandon Lidster, Michigan Agricultural Commodities, attended from Blissfield, Michigan, US. It was his first time attending a GEAPS event. He has a degree in environmental health and safety and has been working in the grain industry since last September.

Education sessions included a grain market outlook, employee onboarding, leveraging partnerships and crisis communications.

The event will not be held next year with GEAPS Exchange taking place Feb. 20-23, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, US. When the Great Lakes Regional Conference resumes in 2022, it will move to Fort Wayne, Indiana, US.