The USA Rice Outlook conference will take place in New Orleans, La., December 5 - 7. The conference, which is the largest rice conference in the U.S., brings together the rice industry to examine issues, learn from experts and celebrate the rice industry.

The conference will feature educational sessions, a trade show and special events unique to New Orleans. It will take place at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, 601 Loyola Avenue.

The conference begins on Sunday with a welcome reception and a ticketed PAC dinner. On Monday the day starts with a new products session in the exhibit hall and continues with the first general session and concurrent educational sessions in the afternoon.

Keynote speaker during the general session will be Dan Gardner, an award-winning journalist and bestselling author. Gardner will discuss risk perception and misperception – how we sometimes worry about things we shouldn’t, and don’t worry about things we should.

The concurrent sessions continue on Tuesday morning and the conference closes with a general session in the afternoon. The trade show will run throughout the conference on Monday and Tuesday.

Educational presentations include: Emerging technologies in rice production; aromatic imports - the market, and opportunity for U.S. rice; transportation, infrastructure, and logistics; and a rice quality symposium.

Other session topics include:

Registration for USA Rice members is $265 through November 5. Onsite registration will be available through the end of the conference.

A special conference rate is available for hotel accommodations at the Hyatt Regency until November 2. Hotel registration is separate from conference registration.

The conference registration brochure is available here.