|
Informa
Economics'
Second Annual Strategic Forum is designed to bring our clients a
fact-based and thought-provoking product and experience about the inter-play
of domestic
and global policy with the business workings and performance of the agri-food
value
chain. The Forum’s structure is designed to encourage and foster discussion
among the Forum’s participants, Informa Economics’ personnel and select experts from
government, academia and business that Informa Economics will bring to both the
opening and closing Forum conferences.
The
opening Forum date is September 28, 2004 and the closing Forum session is
scheduled for December 14-15, 2004; both conferences will be in Memphis at
Informa Economics’
headquarters. The identification, evaluation, understanding and the design of
strategic
approaches to manage the changes described above is our goal ― as is always
the case
in such matters ― “there are no pat answers.” Your interface
with global experts, the Informa Economics staff and the other Forum participants will generate practical
strategies required
for management of these changes impacting world agriculture and food. As an
added
feature, all of the special white papers (see topics below) will be provided
to
participants prior to the two-day closing meeting.
Last year’s Strategic Forum entitled “Developing Business Strategies in
a World of
Colossal Change” was an outstanding success, as expressed by the many
participants.
We will be happy to provide references to anyone that is considering
participation in
the Forum for the first time.
Why Address Agri-Food Business and
Policy: Clash, Deterrent or Facilitator?
There has been a confluence of events both domestically and worldwide
that have greatly influenced the way that the agriculture and food industry
does business. Moreover, policy and related regulations and limitations have
been more than dynamic ― as a number of business altering policy decisions and
regulations have been made “on the fly.”
Issues and
events such as BSE, the breakdown of trade discussions in Cancun, global
terrorism and related homeland security initiatives among others have all
generated new policies and “rules” by which business is done. That in turn
has altered the structure, conduct and performance of the entire global value
chain. As indicated, some changes have been nearly “instantaneous” (i.e.,
closed trade borders for beef due to BSE) while others have more of an
evolutionary impact, such as trade issues between the G-8 countries and the
rest of the world. In either case, there is an inter-play of vast significance
between the development and implementation of policy and the activities and
influence of business.
One
might ask, “is policy driving business; is business driving policy; or is
there a tug-o-war between the two?” One typically expects that policy
is deliberated, vetted and enacted and business reacts accordingly. Times have
changed as business and “events” are determining policy with immediate impacts
and further policy consequences. This dynamic, while not new, is enhanced
today and greatly so. The speed of changes, the rapidity of decisions, the use
of “pre-emption” are all resulting in a less predictable business environment.
And so, we ask is the inter-play of business and policy one of “clash,
deterrent or facilitator” and equally importantly we ask how to manage in
this volatile environment?
This is
the essence of the second annual Informa Economics Strategic Forum. Join us as we,
along with other specialists and industry participants, seek answers and
strategic solutions to these over-arching topics and issues.
THE WHITE PAPERS AND PROGRAM
At the heart of this year’s Forum, the Informa Economics team will develop six white
papers with a North American focus, as described below. These papers will
be developed between the dates of the opening Forum session and delivered just
before the closing session, as the papers will be highlighted in the two-day
final meetings. The paper titles and brief descriptions are listed below.
1. “Policy Driven Costs of Doing Business in Agriculture and Food”:
This paper
will be a “status report” on the cost impact of domestic agriculture and food
policy on each segment of both the crop and livestock value chain.
2. “Policy Prognostications”:
A paper
describing possible domestic policy changes for agriculture and food and the
impact on the structure, conduct and performance of both the crop and
livestock value chains.
3. “Other-Directed Policy Impacts”:
A paper
related to the trade policy environment and the implications for doing
domestic business profitably around the globe.
4. “Agri-Food Business Prospects”:
A paper
that describes the nature and future activities of each value chain segment
for both crops and livestock.
5. “Living in a World at War”:
The
prospects for a long-term war on terror, and the impacts on agriculture and
food, ranging from physical damage from attacks to competition for resources
and the tax costs of the war.
6. “Keeping up — A Review of Two Social Trends Discussed Last Year”:
A paper
addressing obesity and anti-obesity policies and demographics and the coming
social security debate and its impact on agriculture.
Please review
the forum agenda and brochure below with description of the deliverables and benefits of
this most important and unique Informa Economics program.
Agenda
2004 Strategic Forum: First Session
“Agri-Food Business and Policy: Clash, Deterrent or Facilitator?”
September
28, 2004
9:30 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.
9:30 AM
Introductions/Forum Objectives and Process
Bruce
Scherr, President and Chief Executive Officer, Informa Economics, Inc.
10:00 AM
“Agriculture and Food Policy the State of Play”
Jim
Wiesemeyer, Vice President, Informa Economics, Inc.
11:00 AM
“Industry Implications of Policy & Regulation”
Tom
Scott, Senior Vice President, Informa Economics, Inc.
Noon
Lunch - Provided
1:00 PM
“The Impact of Regulation on Doing Business”
Ross
Hamilton, Director Government Affairs & Technology, Darling International
Inc.
2:00 PM
“Agribusiness in a World at War on Terrorism”
William
Motes, Senior Vice President, Informa Economics, Inc.
3:00 PM
Participant Input Regarding the White Papers
and the Second Meeting Group
3:30 PM
Adjourn
CLICK HERE
to view and print the FORUM BROCHURE in pdf form.
You
may also email
info@informaecon.com for more information....
|
