The seventh annual Governor’s Conference on Agricultural Trade will take place on March 9 and 10, 2015 at the at the Richmond Marriot Hotel, bringing together a variety of professionals involved in Virginia's agriculture industry.
Governor Terry McAuliffe will co-host the two-day conference, entitled "Facilitating New Opportunities in the Global Marketplace," with Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and the Virginia Port Authority.
Governor McAuliffe said, “I am pleased to announce the 7th Annual Governor’s Agricultural Trade Conference, an important event highlighting how agriculture and forestry exports are playing a key role in my efforts to build a new Virginia economy. Building the new Virginia economy will mean helping existing businesses expand, attracting new businesses to the Commonwealth, and assisting businesses promote and sell more of their outstanding products in the global marketplace. That diversity is vital and this year’s conference, which will include my longtime friend, Tom Vilsack, will show how critical agricultural and forestry exports are to the nation¹s economy and the economy right here in Virginia.”
At this year’s conference, Governor McAuliffe will discuss how exports of agriculture and forestry products are important to building Virginia’s economy. He will also announce final figures for agricultural and forestry exports from Virginia for 2014. During his State of the Commonwealth address in January, McAuliffe announced that agricultural and forestry exports from Virginia would reach at least $3 billion, a new record high. In 2013, the Commonwealth totaled more than $2.85 billion in agricultural and forestry exports.
The event will bring together a wide variety of agriculture professionals, including producers, agribusinesses, entrepreneurs, exporters, foreign ambassadors, state and federal government officials, and more. This provides an opportunity to discuss both challenges and potential for global exports. Information regarding the international trade of agricultural goods will also be offered with a moderated panel discussion and private meetings.