9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

ACI Annual Meeting
Address from ACI President and CEO Melissa Rekeweg
ACI business update
Election of new board members
Graduate the 2025 EPLP class
Welcome the 2026 EPLP class
Lunch
Networking

Federal Policy Update and Happenings from our Nation’s Capital
Richard Gupton, Sr. Vice President of Public Policy & Counsel, Agricultural Retailers Association

A new presidential administration continues to shape priorities and leadership at agencies such as USDA and EPA. Richard will provide updates on evolving pesticide strategies, implementation of Endangered Species Act requirements on product labeling, and key energy- and climate-related policy issues impacting agricultural businesses.

The Hidden Cost of High Achievement: Entering the New Year with a Lighter Load
Jim Bishop, Founder, Conjunction Leadership

The Hidden Cost of High Achievement explores what happens when success quietly becomes heavy. Drawing from personal stories, leadership experience, and work with high-responsibility leaders, Jim Bishop reveals why burnout isn’t failure, but feedback from your nervous system. Many high performers were built for responsibility, and over time their competence becomes camouflage, hiding exhaustion, resentment, and disconnection. This keynote invites leaders to examine who they’ve become while carrying so much, and how to lead powerfully without losing themselves in the process. Attendees leave with language, insight, and permission to take the armor off and come home to who they are.