Agri-Food Americas (formerly the Global Protein Summit) is the must-attend event for senior leaders across the food and agriculture value chain, delivering vital market intelligence, price forecasting and strategic insights. Through in-depth industry research, Agri-Food Americas attracts top global companies, with previous attendance from McDonald’s, Walmart, Whole Foods and Kraft Heinz, offering unparalleled networking and thought leadership for buyers, sellers, and decision-makers in the sector.
The must attend event for buyers, sellers and traders in agrifood
Agri-Food Americas is where the most influential leaders in food and agriculture come to gain exclusive access to price forecasting and market intelligence you won’t find elsewhere, to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving global market.
In a fast-changing global landscape, this is where key decision-makers across the supply chain come together to gain a competitive edge.
✓ Hear real-world case studies from top global industry players
✓ Build strategic partnerships that drive long-term value
✓ Explore actionable intelligence for sourcing, procurement, risk management, and commercial strategy
Whether you’re shaping your 2026 strategies or futureproofing your business, Agri-Food Americas is the must-attend event for staying ahead of the curve.
50+
Expert speakers
35+
Game-changing sessions
250+
Attendees
3 days of powerful content
Pre-event day – WFA & Networking
The pre-event day features the Women in Food & Agriculture (WFA): Americas event, giving companies and employees the tools and support to create real change in the sector.
End the day on a high note at the Opening Networking Reception. Connect with industry leaders, suppliers, and peers over drinks and informal conversations.
Day 1: The Global Picture – Volatility and Vision
Expect a day packed with actionable learnings and forward-looking discussions.
Independent thought-leaders explore disruptors, market trends, geopolitical challenges and macroeconomic forecasting so you can stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Current and former Executives from leading restaurant and grocery chains will share their learnable experiences and opinions on where the sector is going.
Connect with other attendees in interactive scenario-planning roundtables and networking events, designed to deepen relationships and create new business opportunities.
Day 2: Agri-food Insights, Strategies and Market Deep-Dives
Experience in-depth market analyses across the poultry, red meat, seafood, dairy, eggs, grains, oilseeds and feed sectors, led by independent Expana analysts.
Expana’s expert price forecasters will also provide forward-looking insights to keep you ahead of upcoming market shifts.
Industry panels discuss the latest challenges, regulations and innovations, providing the intelligence you need to tackle emerging trends.
Also expect specialized sessions on HPAI, weather and the future of the food, leaving you equipped to futureproof your strategies for 2026 and beyond.
The go-to event for industry leaders:
Expert speakers include
Dr. Dave Kohl is an academic Hall of Famer in the College of Agriculture at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Kohl has keen insight into the agriculture industry gained through extensive travel, research, and involvement in ag businesses. He has traveled over 10 million miles; conducted more than 7,000 presentations; and published more than 2,500 articles in his career. Dr. Kohl’s wisdom and engagement with all levels of the industry provide a unique perspective into future trends.
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Dr. David Kohl
Professor Emeritus – Department Of Agriculture & Applied Economics
Virginia Tech
Dr. David Kohl
Virginia Tech
Dr. Dave Kohl is an academic Hall of Famer in the College of Agriculture at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Kohl has keen insight into the agriculture industry gained through extensive travel, research, and involvement in ag businesses. He has traveled over 10 million miles; conducted more than 7,000 presentations; and published more than 2,500 articles in his career. Dr. Kohl’s wisdom and engagement with all levels of the industry provide a unique perspective into future trends.
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Derek Nelson
Director – Commodity Risk & Analytics
Little Caesar Enterprises
Derek Nelson
Little Caesar Enterprises
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Audrey Brown serves as the Vice President of Gourmet at Fortune Fish & Gourmet, a leading national food distributor. In this role she oversees category management, procurement, new product development and strategic sourcing for an expansive portfolio which includes Meat & Poultry, Cheese, Pastry as well as Specialty products such as Oils & Vinegars, Mushrooms, and Gourmet grocery.
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Audrey Brown
VP Gourmet
Fortune Fish Co
Audrey Brown
Fortune Fish Co
Audrey Brown serves as the Vice President of Gourmet at Fortune Fish & Gourmet, a leading national food distributor. In this role she oversees category management, procurement, new product development and strategic sourcing for an expansive portfolio which includes Meat & Poultry, Cheese, Pastry as well as Specialty products such as Oils & Vinegars, Mushrooms, and Gourmet grocery.
With over nine years of experience in the Meat & Poultry category, Audrey previously held the role of Vice President of Meat and Poultry, a position she assumed following the company’s acquisition of the D’Artagnan brand. At D’artagnan she served as Director of Category Management, where she played a vital role in shaping product strategy and market presence.
Before her tenure in food distribution, Audrey and her husband owned and operated a Michelin-starred restaurant in their hometown of Queens, NY – an experience that continues to inform her deep understanding of culinary excellence and consumer preferences.
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Onesimo Aleman
Director – Food Category
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
Onesimo Aleman
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
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Allen Ligon
Director Of Commodities – Strategic Procurement Team
BJs Wholesale
Allen Ligon
BJs Wholesale
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During 36 years as an agricultural economist in USDA’s Economic Research Service Fred Gale published dozens of reports and articles on China’s grain, cotton, pork, and dairy markets, trade policies and subsidies, foreign trade, food safety, and U.S. rural issues. Fred holds a PhD in Economics from North Carolina State University and a BS from Virginia Tech, and he taught economics at China’s Shandong University during 1990-91. As a USDA economist Fred led research exchange delegations to China and worked closely with counterparts from China’s agriculture ministry, statistics bureau, and academic institutions. Fred has made many presentations and interacted with U.S. government agencies, commodity organizations, universities, the WTO, NGOs and law enforcement. Now retired, Fred monitors Chinese news media, agricultural web sites, follows developments in China from his home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and writes the Dim Sums blog on rural China.
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Fred Gale
Economist
China Agricultural Markets
Fred Gale
China Agricultural Markets
Fred Gale, China Agricultural Market Analyst
During 36 years as an agricultural economist in USDA’s Economic Research Service Fred Gale published dozens of reports and articles on China’s grain, cotton, pork, and dairy markets, trade policies and subsidies, foreign trade, food safety, and U.S. rural issues. Fred holds a PhD in Economics from North Carolina State University and a BS from Virginia Tech, and he taught economics at China’s Shandong University during 1990-91. As a USDA economist Fred led research exchange delegations to China and worked closely with counterparts from China’s agriculture ministry, statistics bureau, and academic institutions. Fred has made many presentations and interacted with U.S. government agencies, commodity organizations, universities, the WTO, NGOs and law enforcement. Now retired, Fred monitors Chinese news media, agricultural web sites, follows developments in China from his home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and writes the Dim Sums blog on rural China.
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Ivy Chen
Sr Manager, Supply Chain Business Analytics & Process Improvement
Panda Restaurant Group
Ivy Chen
Panda Restaurant Group
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Russell Kras
Senior Manager – Poultry
Kraft Heinz
Russell Kras
Kraft Heinz
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Your market intelligence partner
Expana’s experts include:
Joe joined Expana as part of Mintec’s acquisition of Urner Barry. After starting his career at Urner Barry in sales, Joe held several reporting, management, and leadership positions within the organization, before becoming CEO. He has a strong track record in utilizing his deep experience in price reporting to initiate benchmark coverage in high-value, opaque markets. He also possesses rich expertise in working with organizations to align their reporting practices in order to become IOSCO-assured (the gold standard for Price Reporting Agencies). Joe holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Siena College. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing, fishing, skiing, off-road motorcycling, and spending time with family and friends.
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Joe Muldowney
Chief Market Reporting Officer – Protein
Expana
Joe Muldowney
Expana
Joe joined Expana as part of Mintec’s acquisition of Urner Barry. After starting his career at Urner Barry in sales, Joe held several reporting, management, and leadership positions within the organization, before becoming CEO. He has a strong track record in utilizing his deep experience in price reporting to initiate benchmark coverage in high-value, opaque markets. He also possesses rich expertise in working with organizations to align their reporting practices in order to become IOSCO-assured (the gold standard for Price Reporting Agencies). Joe holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Siena College. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing, fishing, skiing, off-road motorcycling, and spending time with family and friends.
Jamie Chadwick is Managing Editor, directing the company’s news division in the Americas. She leads an elite team of writers, analysts, and global correspondents responsible for delivering the latest in breaking agricultural and food industry news to our network of subscribers.
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Jamie Chadwick
Managing Editor – Protein
Expana
Jamie Chadwick
Expana
Jamie Chadwick is Managing Editor, directing the company’s news division in the Americas. She leads an elite team of writers, analysts, and global correspondents responsible for delivering the latest in breaking agricultural and food industry news to our network of subscribers. Serving previously as a livestock analyst for Urner Barry, she developed the framework for reporting impactful and objective intelligence for those operating throughout the entire agri-food space. Jamie has authored numerous educational resources on behalf of the protein industry and her experience has made her a sought-after speaker at industry events in the U.S., Canada and in Europe. She is a champion of the Women in Food and Agriculture initiative, serving as the Summit Chairman and campaign spokesperson.
Marcel joined Expana in 2019, bringing a wealth of experience in price reporting, analytics, and risk management. At Expana, Marcel leads the proprietary agri-food and industrial coverage, empowering stakeholders across the value chain to make informed business decisions and mitigate risks through best-in-class price benchmarks, news, and analytics.
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Marcel Goldenberg
Chief Market Reporting Officer (Food, Feed & Industrial)
Expana
Marcel Goldenberg
Expana
Marcel joined Expana in 2019, bringing a wealth of experience in price reporting, analytics, and risk management. At Expana, Marcel leads the proprietary agri-food and industrial coverage, empowering stakeholders across the value chain to make informed business decisions and mitigate risks through best-in-class price benchmarks, news, and analytics. Since joining, Marcel has been instrumental in transforming Expana into the largest IOSCO-assured Price Reporting Agency (PRA) in the agri-food sector, leveraging advanced in-house capabilities and strategic M&A.
Marcel’s expertise in enhancing transparency within physical commodity markets stems from his outstanding achievements at global firms such as S&P Global. Marcel holds an MSc in Energy, Trade & Finance from Cass Business School and outside of work, Marcel enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.
After a formal education in logistics and purchasing, Tom Bundgaard worked for 13 years in procurement as a Purchasing Manager. This naturally involves all the traditional aspects of purchasing, especially with sourcing in the Far East. This work had a heavy focus on materials, commodities and semi-finished products.
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Tom Bundgaard
VP Price Forecasting
Expana
Tom Bundgaard
Expana
After a formal education in logistics and purchasing, Tom Bundgaard worked for 13 years in procurement as a Purchasing Manager. This naturally involves all the traditional aspects of purchasing, especially with sourcing in the Far East. This work had a heavy focus on materials, commodities and semi-finished products.
From 2000 onward, Tom Bundgaard specialised in commodities from an analytical forecasting standpoint based on technical and fundamental analysis. Three educations have supported this specialisation: An ongoing mentoring education, an MSTA degree from the Society of Technical Analysts in London and a Master of Financial Technical Analysis degree from IFTA in the USA.
Tom Bundgaard has been given lectures all over Europe since 2008 in various conferences, both on commodity price forecasts and macro economy, as well as being frequently interviewed on radio and TV.
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