Presented by: 

Grain Journal

Presented by: 

ngfa.jpg
Grain Journal
geaps-logo_150x160

Safety, Now and Beyond

Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS), the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), and the GEAPS Media Group (GMG) are
pleased to announce the CONVEY‘26 conference will be held in Omaha, Nebraska, on August 3-5, 2026. 

Today’s safety leaders are navigating more change than ever—new technologies, evolving regulations, and increasing pressure to do more with less. This event is designed specifically for safety managers who want practical strategies, real-world insights, and forward-looking solutions they can put into action immediately.

 Join your peers for a focused, high-impact program covering the issues shaping safety performance right now!

#CONVEY24

WiFi Network: Hilton Honors Meetings | Passcode: CONVEY24

        #CONVEY24  |  WiFi Network: Hilton Honors Meetings  |  Passcode: CONVEY24

Monday, August 3

Photo
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Exhibitor Set-up
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.Mycotoxin Risk: From Ground to Feed
This workshop provides a comprehensive look at mycotoxins across the entire agricultural value chain, from weather and crop conditions to harvest, storage, processing, and feed safety. Topics will address current FDA regulations, risk management strategies, export considerations, and practical mitigation approaches, complemented by an interactive group case study. Designed to inform and connect stakeholders, the workshop highlights both the challenges and opportunities mycotoxins present, fostering actionable insights for a safer, more resilient supply chain.

Agenda and Speakers:
2:00 PM – Welcome & Opening Remarks

2:10 PM – Regulatory Landscape 
  • Jen Abrahamzon, FDA CVM
  • Allan Keller, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
  • Charles Hubenka, Nebraska Department of Agriculture
2:40 PM – Predicting Risk Before Harvest: Tools & Emerging Research
  • Dr. Lina Castano-Duque, USDA-ARS Food and Feed Safety Research Unit
3:10 PM – Monitoring, Detection & Operational Response
  • Matt Nichols, Neogen
  • David Edenfield, Mountaire
3:40 PM – Networking Break

3:50 PM – Interactive Supply Chain Case Study
  • Jed Hensen, Bunge
  • Jon Handly, JDH
  • Derek Richey, The Andersons
4:30 PM – Global Competitiveness

4:55 PM – Closing Remarks

Jennifer Abrahamzon
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Opening Reception in trade show area

Tuesday, August 4
7:00 a.m. Breakfast in trade show area
8:00 a.m.Welcome and Introductions
8:05 a.m.

OSHA Priorities for 2026
Assistant Secretary Keeling will explore OSHA’s 2026 regulatory, enforcement and compliance assistance priorities and the impact on the grain, feed and processing industry. Learn what’s coming, what OSHA may focus on next, and how the grain, feed and processing industry can prepare for new expectations and opportunities.

Speaker:
David Keeling, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health

David Keeling
9:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.Break in trade show area
9:30 a.m.FDA Regulatory Update
This session will focus on the 2026 FDA and state regulatory and enforcement priorities and the impact on the grain, feed and processing industry.

Speaker: 
TBA
10:30 a.m.
Automation/Artificial Intelligence (AI) – The Impact on Safety and Productivity
This session will focus on how AI and automation are transforming the grain industry by improving efficiency and accuracy throughout the entire supply chain, from quality control, storage management and predictive maintenance. 

Panel Discussion:
Kayla Burkhart, Dakota Midland Grain
Luis Torres, Friona Industries, Inc 
Kayla Burkhart
Luis Torres
11:30 a.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m.

Preventive and Predictive Maintenance
This session will highlight how the joint use of preventive maintenance, e.g. scheduled lubrication and inspections and predictive maintenance (e.g. thermal imaging, vibration analysis, hazard monitoring, and oil and lubricant analysis) can optimize bucket elevator and conveyor performance at a grain handling facility.

Speaker:
Jon Brown, Lead Consultant and Project Manager, Capital Project Consulting Plus (CPC+)

Jon Brown
2:30 p.m.

From Silos to Systems: The Cyber Threat Landscape Facing the Food and Agriculture Sector
With cyberattacks on the sector surging nearly 29% in a single year and concentrated around harvest season, the question for operations is no longer “if” but “when.” Drawing on threat intelligence from the Food and Ag-ISAC, this session examines the most active threat actors in the sector, their TTPs, and cost-effective measures to protect against them.

Speaker:
Jonathan Braley, Director of Threat Intelligence, Food and Ag-ISAC
Steve Stellmacher, Bunge

Jonathan Braley
3:30 p.m.Break in trade show area
4:00 p.m.

Concrete Silos and Steel Bins and Tanks – Maintenance and Inspection
The session will focus on strategies aimed at identifying structural integrity to prevent failure, maintain grain quality, ensure safety, and comply with industry requirements.

Panel Discussion:
Hayes Guillot, Inspection & Technology Specialist, Custom Concrete Specialists
Hans McDonald, Regional Safety, Health & Environmental Expert  – North America, Louis Dreyfus Companies

Hayes Guillot
Hans McDonald
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Reception in trade show area

Wednesday, August 5

Wednesday, July 16
7:00 a.m.Breakfast in trade show area
8:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
8:05 a.m. Rolling Stock Fall Protection
In this session, NGFA Safety, Health and Environment Committee member and employer-side OSHA attorney Aaron Gelb will share his perspectives on key trends and developments involving OSHA enforcement and rulemaking, with a focus on the impact of two significant 2025 judicial decisions that transformed the OSHA regulatory landscape for railcar fall protection, as well as new rulemaking involving tall ladders and hazardous energy control/LOTO.

Speaker:
Aaron Gelb, Co-Managing Partner, OSHA, Conn Maciel Carey LLP
Aaron Gelb
9:00 a.m.

Rolling Stock Fall Protection Best Practices
This session will focus on feasible solutions, equipment and comprehensive training to manage the unique hazards of accessing railcars and other rolling stock.

Panel Discussion:
John Lee, Safety, Health and Environmental Services Director, Grain and Feed Association of Illinois 
Joe Mlynek, President, Progressive Safety Solutions
Jared Roth, Senior Director of Safety and Compliance, Bartlett 

John Lee, Joe Mylnek, Jared Roth
10:00 a.m. Break in trade show area
10:30 a.m.
Design and Maintenance – Belt and Drag Conveyors
This session will highlight conveyor design, component selection, system sizing, installation requirements, operational best practices, troubleshooting techniques, and preventive maintenance strategies to improve reliability, safety, and efficiency.

Speaker:
Mike Merema – District Manager – Commercial, GSI
11:45 a.m.Adjourn
12:30 p.m.NGFA Safety, Health and Environment Committee Meeting