LENEXA, KANSAS, U.S. — JoAnne Buth, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Canadian International Grains Institute (Cigi) will be the keynote speaker at the International Association of Operative Millers (IAOM) 120th Annual Conference & Expo. Buth’s presentation is entitled, “Wheat’s not Wheat.” She will join approximately 25 other speakers who will address the conference attendees on a wide range of educational and technical programs geared toward improving yields, productivity, customer satisfaction and safety.

Registration is now open for the conference, which will take place on April 4-8, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, U.S. The IAOM Annual Conference & Expo is a premier educational event for grain milling and processing professionals. The annual event gathers milling and allied trade professionals from around the world for three days of education, networking and fellowship.

In her address, Buth will present a view of the complexity of wheat, the global wheat market and the importance of this staple food for people around the world. From developing countries to sophisticated developed markets, the milling industry is key to the success of the value chain – from growers, grain handlers, and exporters to end use customers.

Buth is an agriculture professional who is committed to a sustainable and profitable Canadian agricultural and food sector. She has spent her professional life in agriculture and has worked in private industry for government and non-profits. Prior to Cigi she was a Senator representing the Province of Manitoba and sat on the Senate Standing Committees of Agriculture and Forestry and on National Finance. Before joining the Senate she was the president of the Canola Council of Canada, and over the years has served on many agriculture advisory committees in private industry and government. While at Manitoba Agriculture she was recipient of the “Motivator of the Year” award.
“JoAnne has been a voice for Canadian agriculture for many years and has now seen first-hand the impact of the wheat industry across the globe,” said Roy Loepp IAOM president, Seaboard Overseas & Trading Group. “We are honored to have someone of her political stature addressing our membership.”

An early bird rate of $500 is available until March 1. To register or learn more about the 120th Annual IAOM Conference & Expo visit www.iaom.info/annualmeeting, or www.facebook.com/IAOMillers.