Registration opens April 15 with early bird rates through May 17.
NEW PRAGUE, Minn. (AgPR) Agricultural communicators from across the country and beyond will gather this July 19-21 for Ag Media Summit 2026 at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. Registration is open as of April 15 at www.agmediasummit.com.
This is the 27th year for the annual professional conference hosted by the Agricultural Communicators Network and the Livestock Publications Council, with support from the Ag Media Council. The accomplished editors, writers, photographers, designers and marketing communications professionals who deliver information to farmers, agribusinesses and the public inspired this year’s AMS theme: “AI: Authentic Intelligence.”
“We chose the ‘informal’ theme of ‘Authentic Intelligence’ because we think ag communicators are in a unique position to redefine AI, those pesky two letters we are probably all tired of hearing about,” says Pam Caraway, AMS 2026 chair and Farm Futures executive editor. “Yes, it’s tongue-in-cheek, but it’s also a sincere approach to what we do in a very special and specialized field. The human element in content is our ‘superpower.’ Ag is different, in the best ways, and our practitioners and audiences aren’t particularly interested in anything artificial.”
Attendees are encouraged to come to the AMS welcome party dressed as their answer to “What is Your Superpower?” as the conference opens Sunday night, July 19. That superpower theme ties into the keynote address Monday morning by motivational speaker Aaron Putze, chief officer of brand management and engagement for the Iowa Soybean Association.
This year’s AMS programming “continues to raise the bar for professional development and provide networking opportunities for communicators from all corners of our industry,” Caraway says. “Our general sessions feature panels with top newsmakers of the day. Multiple breakout sessions cover core skills and deep-dive training in everything from the nuts and bolts of using artificial intelligence in day-to-day work to the secrets of career longevity.”
AMS conference activities at the Hyatt Regency start with the previously noted World Famous Welcome Party on Sunday evening and run through late Tuesday afternoon. The optional post-AMS tour day on Wednesday, July 22, includes a visit to Gateway Arch National Park with a ride to the top of the arch and tour of the museum; a stop at ADM’s grain barge facility on the Mississippi River; lunch and tour at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery; and an on-farm visit, video session and supper at Eckert Country Farm, Belleville, Illinois.
“The top-quality programming at AMS is made possible by our generous sponsors, including the United Soybean Board, Corteva, National Pork Producers Council, New Holland, Slate Group, Syngenta and more,” Caraway says. Special credit goes to the Professional Improvement Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with the Ag Communicators Network.
To register for AMS, go to www.agmediasummit.com by May 17 for discounted early bird rates. Regular registration is open online through June 25. For hotel information and to book lodging, go to www.agmediasummit.com/hotel-info/. The hotel conference rate for the AMS block is in effect until June 25.
The Ag Communicators Network is the premier professional organization for communicators across the spectrum of agricultural media – from editors, writers and photojournalists to designers and public relations professionals.
Livestock Publications Council is an international organization serving the dynamic livestock communications industry. Members of LPC represent livestock publications as publication members, allied industry as service members, and student members.
The SIIA AM&P Network Ag Media Council’s mission is to increase the value of its media offerings for the agri-media and marketer community. The overarching goal: to enhance business growth, industry knowledge and best practices for its audiences and marketing professionals serving the global agricultural industry.
Source:
Warren E. Clark – Editor & Publisher – AgPR | AgNewsCenter
