The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) has opened registration and announced a preliminary agenda for its milestone 30th annual conference coming up August 15 – 17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Omaha, Nebraska.

 

This year’s conference theme is Tested. Proven. Driven. The general session will include testimonials from retailers and fuel marketers on why they are selling E15 and flex fuels and a presentation on ethanol’s export market potential. In addition, the general session will decode tax reform efforts in Washington, D.C., and highlight progress toward high-octane ethanol blends.

 

General session preview:

  • Retail Panel Discussion: Ethanol’s Point of Opportunity—Fuel marketers Charlie Bosselman, Owner of Bosselman Enterprises, and Bob O’Connor, Owner of JETZ Convenience Centers, will reveal why and how they made the move to offering higher ethanol blends and lessons learned along the way.
  • Global Tailwinds and Headwinds—Lakeview Energy CEO and Director, Jim Galvin, who also serves as the leader of the U.S. Grains Council Advisory Team for Ethanol, will discuss market trends and factors impacting global demand for ethanol and coproducts—all with an eye on the implications of Trump’s trade policy reform on the industry.
  • Tax Reform: Opportunities and Challenges for the Ethanol Industry—Donna Funk, Principal at KCoe Isom, will step conference attendees through potential impacts on tax reform and how to prepare for the proposed changes.
  • Shifting to High-Octane Fuel—Leadership from Wayne Fueling Systems, the first equipment manufacturer to exclusively offer fuel dispensers UL-listed for E25 in North America, will be joined by the brains behind the engine testing and regulatory strategies for high-octane fuel. Brian West with Oak Ridge National Lab and Adam Gustafson at Boyden Gray & Associates will provide this insight.

 

Topics for many breakout sessions have also been determined, including a track specifically for ethanol plant boards of directors covering roles and responsibilities, succession planning and retention, and risk management. Other breakout session topics include coproduct diversification, production efficiency trends and bringing ethanol direct to retail. For more information on breakout sessions, see the online agenda.

 

“We encourage ethanol producers and industry members to register now for this year’s ACE conference,” said Brian Jennings, ACE Executive Vice President. “This event will equip those who attend with the knowledge of the most current activities underway to increase demand for ethanol here and around the world.”