Today, the Animal Agriculture Alliance announced the theme of its 2026 Stakeholders Summit: High Steaks: Navigating Pressure on Animal Protein. Speaking proposals that the fit the theme will be accepted through November 14, 2025 and can be submitted here. The 2026 event is scheduled for May 5-7 in Kansas City, Mo. Registration will open in January.
The annual Summit attracts a diverse audience of decisionmakers, including representatives from farms and ranches, allied industries, food processors, restaurants, grocery retailers, legislatures, universities, government agencies, and media. The 2025 Summit attracted more than 200 in-person attendees and discussed key issues including animal health and welfare, supply chain partnerships, animal rights extremism, and artificial intelligence.
With headlines, regulations, and expectations all bearing down, the stakes for animal agriculture and the food community have never been higher. But this is a rare opportunity. Only at the 2026 Summit will attendees find the most passionate minds sparking together. It’s the one place where conversation is alight, and ideas sizzle. Animal agriculture knows what’s on the line — and is fired up to face it. Time to dig in.
“The stakes are high for the farm and food communities as we face a number of external pressures,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and CEO, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “At the 2026 Summit, we’re getting back to our roots with increased emphasis on how we can navigate damaging misinformation and tactics that threaten food security. We look forward to seeing proposals that fit this focus area and encourage everyone in the animal agriculture and food communities to mark their calendars for this unique event.”
The Alliance welcomes speaking proposals that deliver practical insights, measurable results, and replicable approaches. Priority will be given to sessions that are timely, solutions-oriented, and bring cross-sector perspectives. Suggested topic areas include but are not limited to:
- Interactive workshops (crisis management, media relations, farm security, etc.)
- Activist tactics and strategies for response (legislative updates, case studies, “lessons learned,” etc.)
- Perspectives on key issues in animal agriculture from throughout the food chain
- New research and innovations in animal welfare, sustainability
- Preparing for changing consumer attitudes and preferences
- Building relationships and taking opportunities to engage the media, influencers, or consumers
