Cattle Industry Kicks off Annual Meeting and NCBA Trade Show in San Diego

Taylor Hillman General

6000 people gather for the cattle convention.
More than 6,000 cattlemen and women from across the country are gathered in San Diego, Calif., this week for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The convention, which will run through Jan. 29, is the largest annual gathering of the beef industry. Sabrina Hill talked with NCBA President, Phillip Ellis about the convention and major issues for the cattle industry.

Phillip Ellis Interview

“The convention and trade show is a great opportunity for cattle industry members to come together to network, create policy for the industry, and to have some fun,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Philip Ellis. “We will reflect on the many successes of the past year and discuss what lies ahead for 2016. If you’re in the cattle business, then you need to be in San Diego.”

Cattlemen’s College kicked off yesterday, featuring sessions focused on profit-building, policy briefings and education. Hailed as the premier educational resource for cattlemen and women, Cattlemen’s College had an impressive lineup for its 23rd year. The convention officially kicked off this afternoon with the Opening General Session featuring Robert Irvine, celebrity chef who put on a theatrical demonstration.

On Friday, Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill will share what he has learned during his more than 400 combat missions across four theaters of war. Through his moving and emotional stories drawn from lessons learned during some of the country’s most headline-stealing conflicts, O’Neill will show how the military’s best-of-the-best approach to strategic planning succeeds when mission failure is not an option.

In addition to the excellent keynote speakers, Cattlemen’s College, a record-breaking Trade Show and industry trend discussions, convention-goers will have the opportunity to attend committee meetings and take part in the grassroots policy development.

“NCBA is grounded in the grassroots policy process,” said Ellis. “It’s important for cattlemen and women to be involved and stay engaged. This week, we have the opportunity to set policy which will direct our policy initiatives in the following year.”

With so many events taking place during the convention all attendees are encouraged to download the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention app to their smart phones to see the schedule of events, locations, maps and receive alerts before, during and after the event. Visit www.beefusa.org for more information about the convention.