FORUMS LAY FOUNDATION FOR 2003 CATTLE INDUSTRY SUMMER CONFERENCE

A series of spirited, issues-oriented forums will highlight this year’s Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Dallas, Texas, July 22-26.  More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the conference, which features the summer meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB) and American National CattleWomen, Inc. (ANCW).

The nine forum sessions will address such topics as country-of-origin labeling, international trade, beef safety, consumer friendly beef, markets/prices and farm programs.  Preceding the sessions, scheduled for Thursday, July 24, Cattle-Fax representatives will offer a market outlook.

In addition to these sessions, the CBB, NCBA and ANCW will hold meetings for their respective members, directors and officers during the week to review current programs of the organizations and discuss plans for fiscal year 2004, which begins Oct. 1.  All committee, subcommittee meetings are slated for Friday, July 25.

CBB members and NCBA directors will hold their separate board meetings on Saturday, July 26.

In addition to the business and educational sessions, conference participants will have an opportunity to get re-acquainted with fellow beef producers from across the country in a variety of social settings.  For example, the ANCW will hold a special Welcome to Dallas reception & Ice Cream Social on Tuesday evening, July 22, while NCBA will conduct a golf tournament to benefit its political action committee and political education fund at the Prestonwood Country Club on Wednesday afternoon, July 23.

Headquarters for the summer conference is the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Dallas, which is offering a special rate for those who register for a room by June 23.  In addition, individuals registering for the conference by July 1 will save $25 on the regular conference registration rate.