View the ILC Conference Agenda
View the ILC Speaker Profiles

This agenda will continue to change as we update the list of speakers, their topics, and time frames - so be sure to continue to check for updates.

This conference is sure to give participants an unmatched single-day perspective on the industry today and tomorrow.

The International Livestock Congress Calgary is an industry-led event under the oversight of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association in partnership with the International Stockmen's Education Foundation. A group of industry stakeholders provide input into the program and objectives of the ILC-Calgary with the interests of the entire beef value chain in mind.

This year ILC is being held during the CCA Semi-Annual Meeting. This will provide you an opportunity to discuss the issues in the beef industry with today's beef industry leaders and network with a broader group of participants.

Hosts

Hosted by the Canadian Cattlemen's Association and the International Stockmen's Education Foundation, ILC 2011 will offer a 360-degree perspective on the issues shaping your beef industry. Our distinguished faculty of expert speakers will cover the strategic landscape as no other single-day event can. From trade access, to finance, to emerging markets, to leadership, to technology and marketing, science and innovation, regulatory and global demand, ILC 2011 is comprehensive, authoritative and compelling.

Student Program

The Congress will also host international agricultural students to expose them to the future of the livestock industry, issues and opportunities and to network with over 450 industry leaders.

Where and When

2011 ILC-Calgary will be on Wednesday August 10, 2011. It will be hosted at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino, 1000, 11500 - 35 Street SE, Calgary Alberta. The conference will start at 7:00am with registration, followed by presentations from 8:00am until approximately 5:00 pm. There are a limited number of seats available so be sure to register early.

Why attend?

Never before has the beef industry imposed such sweeping and complex demands on those who would run a business and earn a living. From producers to processors to exporters and public sector players, today's industry requires an informed strategic viewpoint. In this market, there are no ready-made answers or instant solutions. What you can do is look, listen, learn and analyze, before making your own plans for success. Hear what you can to impact the image of beef and the beef industry in a positive manner. When it comes to providing valuable, credible perspective, ILC 2011 is your ideal venue. Learn more about the forces shaping the industry. Dig deeper into the world of strategic possibilities. Connect with high-energy speakers and attendees who know your issues and have wisdom to share. ILC 2011 could be the best and most business-changing meeting you attend all year. Don't miss it.

ILC Agenda

7:00 am - 8:00 am	Registration and networking Coffee will be served
8:00 am - 8:15 am	Welcome to all delegates and speakers Dr. Stan Blade Master of Ceremonies Chief Executive Officer Alberta Innovates, Edmonton, Alberta View Speaker Profile Introduction of ILC Students
8:15 am - 8:30 am	Opening message Travis Toews President CCA, Grande Prairie, Alberta View Speaker Profile
8:30 am - 9:35 am	The Multi-speed Recovery. Glen Hodgson Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist The Conference Board of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario View Speaker Profile Download Speaker Presentation The global economy has clearly recovered from the financial crisis and resulting recession, but the path of recovery is very different by region and sector.  Europe and Japan are in slow recovery with significant fiscal deficit and debt problems and corresponding risks.  The U.S. and Canada are experiencing moderate growth – which is real growth in Canada, but artificial growth in the U.S. due to continued exceptional stimulus from government.  And emerging markets are growing at top speed, with rising consumer demand for food and energy and emerging problems with inflation.
9:35 am - 10:00 am	Coffee Break and networking
10:00 am - 11:00 am	The Canada EU Trade Negotiations Gilles Gauthier Chief Agriculture Negotiator Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Ottawa, Ontario View Speaker Profile Download Speaker Presentation The presentation will provide an update on the status of the Canada-EU negotiations towards a comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, and highlight the implications of an agreement for the beef industry
11:00 am - 11:55 am	Economic Outlook of the Cattle and Beef Markets Jean-Phillippe Gervais Senior Economist Farm Credit Canada, Regina, Saskatchewan View Speaker Profile Download Speaker Presentation The presentation will investigate the competitiveness of the Canadian cattle sector in the North American market. It will break down bilateral trade flows of feeder and slaughter cattle and look at future market trends considering relative feed and regulatory costs in Canada and the U.S. as well as factors that impact packers' competitiveness.
12:00 - 1:30 pm	The Environmental Stewardship Award Luncheon and Networking
1:35 pm - 2:20 pm	Changing supply, demand, cost and price forces and trends present major challenges and new opportunities for the North American beef industry over the next 15 years and beyond.  Bill Helming President Bill Helming Consulting Services, Olathe, Kansas View Speaker Profile Download Speaker Presentation The present one-size-fits all North American beef industry business model is broken.  A two- sizes North American beef industry business model presents some new and exciting opportunities for cow-calf producers, cattle feeders, beef packers and consumers. For example: more high quality ground beef (half fed) cattle; and high quality (full fed) beef cattle at the same time. Prepare and plan for the North American and global commodity, stock market, real estate and economic bubbles to burst again within the 2011-2014 time period (resulting in major asset and price deflation).
2:20 pm - 3:10 pm	Canadian cattle producers' and packers' production issues for the EU market Mark Klassen Director of Technical Services CCA, Calgary, Alberta View Speaker Profile Download Speaker Presentation Technical and practical production issues must be balanced to take full advantage of access to the EU market for Canadian beef. Challenges overcome and yet to be resolved will be discussed.
3:10 pm - 4:00 pm	The consumer drives the marketplace. What they are telling us they want from the beef industry in 2011 and over the next 5-10 years Theresa Dietrich Principal People Talking Market Research Services, Toronto, Ontario View Speaker Profile Download Speaker Presentation The media is telling us that consumers today want it all - taste, price, quality and safety, local, organic, certified humane, grain-fed, environmentally conscious - but how do we really know which of these is most important and critically, which of these factors they are prepared to pay a premium for over the next 5-10 years.
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm	Five big international trends in retail and how they will impact the beef industry Jeff Doucette Principal Sales is Not Simple, Calgary, Alberta View Speaker Profile Based on our international market visits we will gather the most relevant trends that could have an impact on the beef industry in the next 1-2 years and provide specific actions that the industry can take to come out on the winning edge of these trends.
4:45 pm - 5:00 pm	Closing Comments