WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — With seven weeks to go before the Export Exchange 2012 opens its doors, international buyer registration is running ahead of the pace in 2010, when Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
"We know that the Export Exchange 2010 drove sales, especially for DDGS," said U.S. Grains Council President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Sleight. "It is encouraging that so many countries have expanded their presence this year. Underlying global demand is strong and growing. There is also a great deal of interest in visiting the U.S. to personally size up the drought impact on the current U.S. crop. They know that Export Exchange 2012 is one-stop shopping for information, contacts, and leads."
Export Exchange 2012 will be Oct. 22-24 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Some of the world's top buyers and end-users of U.S. coarse grains, and U.S. producers, agricultural organizations and agribusinesses are expected to attend. Buyer teams from 33 countries have already registered, including teams from Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and many countries in South Asia, North Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
"The business of Export Exchange is business," Sleight said. "The conference is the world's premier opportunity for buyers and sellers to network, while also getting up-to-the-minute information on market drivers. Most of the international teams will also participate in field inspection tours and site visits with U.S. agribusiness and export companies to assess crop and market conditions."
Export Exchange is co-sponsored by the U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels Association. Complete information and online registration for U.S. participants is at
www.exportexchange.org. For additional information, call Lyndsey Erb-Sharkey, USGC manager of membership outreach, at 1.202.789.0789.