2025 Annual meeting Registration
Annual Meeting Information:
Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza
| Tuesday, September 2, 2025 |
|---|
|
2:00-6:00 PM – Registration Desk Open |
|
3:00 PM – WELCOME • President Michael Lehman |
|
3:10 PM – Awards Presentation • Educator of the Year |
|
3:20 PM – Keynote Presentation: Elizabeth Fastiggi,
Chief Product Officer, Idealyst Innovation
|
|
3:50 PM – Break |
|
4:00 PM – Dean Roy Award Presentation |
|
4:10 PM – Industry Panel “Critical Collaboration in Agriculture”,
Overview
|
|
5:10 PM – Developing Professionals
|
|
5:30 PM – Young Leader Scholarship Program (YLSP) Class of ‘25 • Q&A |
|
6:00-7:00 PM • President’s Reception
|
| Wednesday, September 3, 2025 |
|---|
|
Day reserved for private business meetings. For those not involved, see options below. |
|
MORNING SESSION
|
|
AFTERNOON – “The KC Barbeque Experience” Team Building Event
12:30 PM – Transportation Departs for Museum of BBQ 1:00-2:15 PM – Museum of BBQ – 2450 Grand Blvd, Suite 231, Kansas City, MO 64108
|
|
3:00-6:00 PM – Jack Stack BBQ Dine & Discussion with Pit Master
101 West 22nd Street, #300, Kansas City, MO 64108
|
|
6:00 PM – Transportation Back to Hotel |
|
7:00-8:30 PM – MACA Reception – Sponsored by the MACA Committees
|
| Thursday, September 4, 2025 |
|---|
|
7:00-7:45 AM – Breakfast Buffet |
|
7:30-8:00 AM – MACA Annual Meeting of Members |
|
8:00 AM – Opening Comments • Aaron Deardorff |
|
8:10 AM – Industry Vision Award |
|
8:20 AM – Members’ Report • Rodney Schmidt, MACA Executive Director
|
|
8:30 AM – Break
|
|
8:45-10:15 – Critical Issues Facing Members – 2024 Election and New Trump Administration The panelists will share their unique perspectives on the Trump Administration, State Policies, and the impact on our industry. Industry Panel
|
|
10:15 AM – Closing Comments • Aaron Deardorff, MC |
|
10:30 AM – Adjourn |
2025 MACA ANNUAL MEETING REGISTRATION
3 Simple Steps...
STEP 1: HOTEL RESERVATIONS
The Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza located at 4445 Main Street Kansas City, MO 64111 (816) 531-3000 is the hotel headquarters. To make your reservation, please use this link : Book your group rate for MACA. Or contact the hotel’s reservations specialists at 800-810-3708 and ask for the Mid America CropLife Association (MACA) room block.
NOTE: There are а limited number of rooms blocked for Monday, September 1 and Thursday, September 4. lf you experience issues while booking your hotel room for these dates, please contact Rodney at rodney@maca.org
Room Rate – $170.00 per room, per night, plus tax. (Includes $25.00 credited to MACA to defray meeting expenses.)
The cut-off date for hotel reservations is no later than Friday, August 15, 2025.
Please note: All participants registering for hotel rooms or “The KC Barbeque Experience ” Team Building Event, must also register with MACA.
MACA Directors strongly encourages you to attend the program sessions Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Wednesday is available for private meetings all day.
- Arrange meeting rooms by contacting the MACA office at info@maca.org (preferred) and speaking with Andrea or Rodney or call 314-849-9446.
- Please know the dates, times, number of people expected and have a credit card ready to charge the meeting room fee.
- Once a meeting room has been reserved, the hotel contact name will be sent to you to make food & beverage and AV arrangements with the hotel.
- The cost for the meeting room is $360.00 per day which includes tax and service charges.
- Meeting room space must be reserved by July 18, 2025 to ensure a room.
STEP 2: MACA REGISTRATION
Complete the registration form online below or complete the form and email it to info@maca.org or send it by mail or fax to 314-849-0988. MACA will accept payment by check, credit cards – American Express, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, or PayPal online. The MACA early registration cut-off date is Monday, August 4, 2025. There is a late fee for registrations submitted August 6 or later.
The MACA registration fee includes program speakers plus:
- Tuesday break
- Tuesday reception
- Wednesday Reception
- Thursday breakfast
- Thursday break
DRESS: Business casual.
SPOUSES: All registered spouses are welcome to attend the speaker programs, receptions and may register for “The KC Barbeque Experience” Team Building Event . No organized activities are planned for spouses.
REFUND POLICY: Any refund request must be made in writing and submitted to the MACA office by Monday, August 25, 2025. No refunds after August 26, 2025.
MEMBER REGISTRATION RATES: The employees and spouses of MACA member companies are eligible for special registration rates.
NON-MEMBER REGISTRATION RATES: Prospective members, professional colleagues and guests are also welcome to attend the Annual Meeting at the designated rates. If your company joins MACA and pays its 2025 membership dues prior to August 1, you and your spouse may attend at member rates.
STEP 3: “The KC Barbeque Experience”
Team Building Event: When most people come to Kansas City, what do they think about? Barbeque! As we take a break in 2025 with the MACA Golf Tournament, we have a very unique team-building event lined up for Wednesday afternoon during the Annual Meeting. It’s called “The KC Barbeque Experience”. The afternoon starts with a visit to the world’s first Museum of BBQ. This will immerse you in the A-Z’s of BBQ in a feast for the senses. You will learn how pitmasters combine meat, spices/rubs, wood, fire, smoke and sauce to turn tough cuts of meat into delicious BBQ. You will explore the four main U.S. regions of barbeque — Carolinas, Memphis, Texas, and Kansas City and what makes each unique. Then we will enjoy a full-course, mouthwatering BBQ meal at Jack Stack Barbeque – Freight House, one of the top BBQ restaurants in Kansas City. We will get some insights from their Pitmaster regarding how they make BBQ meat so memorable. Join us for a one-of-a-kind memorable afternoon with The KC Barbeque Experience. The cost for this unique experience is $150 per person.
Date/location: The 2025 MACA “KC Barbeque Experience”, will be held on Wednesday, September 3. Transportation will depart from the hotel at 12:30 pm with the Museum of Barbeque Tour starting at 1:00 pm, followed by Jack Stack Barbeque – Freight House at 3:00 pm. Transportation back to the hotel will be at 6:00 pm with continued fellowship and networking at the hotel.
Details: For “The KC Barbeque Experience” Team Building Event are listed below.
- Advance registration for the “The KC Barbeque Experience” Team Building Event, with payment, is required. No registration at the meeting. Any refund request must be made in writing and submitted to the MACA office by Noon, Monday, August 25, 2025. No refunds after August 26.
- Confirmation with final details will be emailed to registrants 5-7 days prior to the meeting.
Registration Fee: $150 per person.
The $150.00 registration fee includes transportation, admission to the Museum of Barbeque, food & beverages, as well as meeting space at Jack Stack Barbeque. Note: To attend this event, registration and payment for the Annual Meeting is also required.
Questions: Contact Jaime Yanes at 901-355-4123 or Rodney Schmidt at 314-849-9446.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Kansas City Area Map – Check this website Kansas City Tourism Guide for food and drink plus entertainment.
Transportation from KCI airport terminal to hotel – The hotel does not provide transportation to or from the airport. You will need to arrange your own transportation such as Taxi, Uber or Lyft.
Parking – Hotel will provide complimentary self-parking to guests for one vehicle per room night. This is based on the room block and functions booked under the agreement and is subject to adjustment by the Hotel if the size or scope of the Room Block or functions is reduced.
The Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza located at 4445 Main Street Kansas City, MO 64111 (816) 531-3000 is the hotel headquarters. To make your reservation, please use this link : Book your group rate for MACA. Or contact the hotel’s reservations specialists at 800-810-3708 and ask for the Mid America CropLife Association (MACA) room block.
NOTE: There are а limited number of rooms blocked for Monday, September 1 and Thursday, September 4. lf you experience issues while booking your hotel room for these dates, please contact Rodney at rodney@maca.org
Room Rate – $170.00 per room, per night, plus tax. (Includes $25.00 credited to MACA to defray meeting expenses.)
The cut-off date for hotel reservations is no later than Friday, August 15, 2025.
Please note: All participants registering for hotel rooms or “The KC Barbeque Experience ” Team Building Event, must also register with MACA.
MACA Directors strongly encourages you to attend the program sessions Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Wednesday is available for private meetings all day.
BUSINESS/HOSPITALITY SUITES – *** IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ ***
- Arrange meeting rooms by contacting the MACA office at info@maca.org (preferred) and speaking with Andrea or Rodney or call 314-849-9446.
- Please know the dates, times, number of people expected and have a credit card ready to charge the meeting room fee.
- Once a meeting room has been reserved, the hotel contact name will be sent to you to make food & beverage and AV arrangements with the hotel.
- The cost for the meeting room is $360.00 per day which includes tax and service charges.
- Meeting room space must be reserved by July 18, 2025 to ensure a room.
Complete the registration form online below or complete the form and email it to info@maca.org or send it by mail or fax to 314-849-0988. MACA will accept payment by check, credit cards – American Express, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, or PayPal online. The MACA early registration cut-off date is Monday, August 4, 2025. There is a late fee for registrations submitted August 6 or later.
The MACA registration fee includes program speakers plus:
- Tuesday break
- Tuesday reception
- Wednesday Reception
- Thursday breakfast
- Thursday break
DRESS: Business casual.
SPOUSES: All registered spouses are welcome to attend the speaker programs, receptions and may register for “The KC Barbeque Experience” Team Building Event . No organized activities are planned for spouses.
REFUND POLICY: Any refund request must be made in writing and submitted to the MACA office by Monday, August 25, 2025. No refunds after August 26, 2025.
MEMBER REGISTRATION RATES: The employees and spouses of MACA member companies are eligible for special registration rates.
NON-MEMBER REGISTRATION RATES: Prospective members, professional colleagues and guests are also welcome to attend the Annual Meeting at the designated rates. If your company joins MACA and pays its 2025 membership dues prior to August 1, you and your spouse may attend at member rates.
Team Building Event: When most people come to Kansas City, what do they think about? Barbeque! As we take a break in 2025 with the MACA Golf Tournament, we have a very unique team-building event lined up for Wednesday afternoon during the Annual Meeting. It’s called “The KC Barbeque Experience”. The afternoon starts with a visit to the world’s first Museum of BBQ. This will immerse you in the A-Z’s of BBQ in a feast for the senses. You will learn how pitmasters combine meat, spices/rubs, wood, fire, smoke and sauce to turn tough cuts of meat into delicious BBQ. You will explore the four main U.S. regions of barbeque — Carolinas, Memphis, Texas, and Kansas City and what makes each unique. Then we will enjoy a full-course, mouthwatering BBQ meal at Jack Stack Barbeque – Freight House, one of the top BBQ restaurants in Kansas City. We will get some insights from their Pitmaster regarding how they make BBQ meat so memorable. Join us for a one-of-a-kind memorable afternoon with The KC Barbeque Experience. The cost for this unique experience is $150 per person.
Date/location: The 2025 MACA “KC Barbeque Experience”, will be held on Wednesday, September 3. Transportation will depart from the hotel at 12:30 pm with the Museum of Barbeque Tour starting at 1:00 pm, followed by Jack Stack Barbeque – Freight House at 3:00 pm. Transportation back to the hotel will be at 6:00 pm with continued fellowship and networking at the hotel.
Details: For “The KC Barbeque Experience” Team Building Event are listed below.
- Advance registration for the “The KC Barbeque Experience” Team Building Event, with payment, is required. No registration at the meeting. Any refund request must be made in writing and submitted to the MACA office by Noon, Monday, August 25, 2025. No refunds after August 26.
- Confirmation with final details will be emailed to registrants 5-7 days prior to the meeting.
Registration Fee: $150 per person.
The $150.00 registration fee includes transportation, admission to the Museum of Barbeque, food & beverages, as well as meeting space at Jack Stack Barbeque. Note: To attend this event, registration and payment for the Annual Meeting is also required.
Questions: Contact Jaime Yanes at 901-355-4123 or Rodney Schmidt at 314-849-9446.
Kansas City Area Map – Check this website Kansas City Tourism Guide for food and drink plus entertainment.
Transportation from KCI airport terminal to hotel – The hotel does not provide transportation to or from the airport. You will need to arrange your own transportation such as Taxi, Uber or Lyft.
Parking – Hotel will provide complimentary self-parking to guests for one vehicle per room night. This is based on the room block and functions booked under the agreement and is subject to adjustment by the Hotel if the size or scope of the Room Block or functions is reduced.