Overview
Co-hosted by the Sweetener Users Association and the International Dairy Foods Association, the International Sweetener Colloquium provides a unique opportunity for key players from all sectors to discuss the most pressing issues facing the global sweetener industry.
Attendees will be given the opportunity to participate in content-rich sessions with presentations from a wide range of speakers, addressing the latest challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Topics will cover everything from government regulation and political outlook to current research findings and market trends.
The Colloquium draws hundreds of professionals and decision-makers from the sweetener industry and from companies that use sweeteners in the products they make. Buyers, processors, refiners, distributors and food companies actively participate in the Colloquium, using it as a springboard to enhance their business and trading-partner networks.
Sponsors:
Agenda
*All Times Eastern Print Agenda
| February 22, 2026 | Event | Speaker | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30pm |
Golf Tournament
Sponsored By:
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International Course | |
| 1:00pm - 4:00pm |
Pickleball Tournament
Sponsored By:
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| 6:00pm - 7:30pm |
Welcome Reception
Sponsored By:
|
Eagle's Edge Golf Complex | |
| 9:00pm |
After-Hours Party
Sponsored By:
|
International I | |
| February 23, 2026 | Event | Speaker | Location |
| 8:00am - 9:00am |
Session I – Keynote Breakfast
Sponsored By:
|
National Ballroom Salons C-D | |
|
A key Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for administering the sugar program will share his thoughts on the Administration’s efforts to reorganize and streamline the various agencies that make American agriculture great and highlight key successes. This session will provide an opportunity to hear the latest plans to advance U.S. agriculture and food policy. |
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| 9:15am - 10:15am |
Session II – International Sugar Market Dynamics
|
International Ballroom Salons II-III | |
|
The international sugar market has moved from a large global deficit to a minor deficit or even slight surplus in the current year. Production and potentially exports rebounded in India and Thailand, while Brazil has favored sugar over ethanol, boosting supplies even as sugar cane production struggled under adverse weather. Despite supply deficits, sugar prices have been weak as the result of weak demand, weight-loss drugs, reformulation and other factors. Get the latest market analysis from our expert speakers. |
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| 10:15am - 10:45am |
Networking Break
Sponsored By:
|
International Foyer | |
| 10:45am - 12:00pm |
Session III – North American Sweetener Market Outlook
|
International Ballroom Salons II-III | |
|
The North American sugar market has gone from tight supplies and sky-high prices in 2023 to near record-high stocks, sharply lower prices and waning demand through 2025. Prices have stabilized, but other factors have disrupted the market, including higher USDA loan and storage rates for sugar in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and tariffs, reformulation and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. At the same time, the corn sweetener market is dealing with record-high U.S. 2025 corn production and waning demand. Market experts will examine the current supply and demand situation for sugar and corn sweeteners and offer price forecasts. |
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| 4:00pm - 5:30pm |
SUA Board Meeting (invitation only)
|
ChampionsGate | |
| 6:00pm - 7:00pm |
Networking Reception
Sponsored By:
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Sunset Terrace | |
| February 24, 2026 | Event | Speaker | Location |
| 8:45am - 9:15am |
Continental Breakfast
Sponsored By:
|
International Foyer | |
| 9:15am - 10:15am |
Session IV – Outlook for the Economy
|
International Ballroom Salons II-III | |
|
Tariffs have upended decades of U.S. trade policy, even as the economy keeps growing. Markets focus on the Fed’s next moves, and even its independence. Join us for this session and we’ll get insights on where the U.S. and world economy may be headed next. |
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| 10:15am - 10:45am |
Networking Break
Sponsored By:
|
International Foyer | |
| 10:45am - 11:45am |
Session V – Nutrition Policies & Trends
|
International Ballroom Salons II-III | |
|
The Make America Healthy Again movement looms large over the food policy landscape. Head-spinning policy changes leave food companies wondering what’s next. In this session, our panelists will give you their insights on what the future looks like. |
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| 12:00pm - 1:15pm |
Session VI – Keynote Luncheon: Road Map to the 2026 & 2028 Elections
Sponsored By:
|
National Ballroom Salons C-D | |
|
The 2024 elections ushered in full GOP control of the White House and Congress, but will that change in 2026 or 2028? David Wasserman provides the latest assessment of key Senate, House and gubernatorial contests that will shape policymaking in Washington and politics for years to come. How will Democrats survive the wilderness, and what's next for Republicans after Trump? Drawing on his extensive interactions with candidates and strategists on both sides of the aisle, David previews the road ahead and identifies the campaign trends and electoral mood swings that will define the next chapter of American politics. |
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| 1:30pm - 2:30pm |
Session VII – Growing Demand Threats
|
International Ballroom Salons II-III | |
|
Are GLP-1 drugs and other factors reducing demand in certain food categories? We’ve heard both yes and no on corporate earnings calls. What do the numbers actually say – and what are consumers telling us? Find out more from industry experts in this session. |
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| 2:30pm - 3:00pm |
Networking Break
|
International Foyer | |
| 3:00pm - 4:00pm |
Session VIII – U.S. Sugar Program Administration & Policy Challenges
|
International Ballroom Salons II-III | |
|
The One Big Beautiful Bill modified the sugar program to provide some sugar policy reform, but USDA and USTR continue to face many challenges in administering the sugar program to meet the needs of producers, consumers and food companies. Sugar stocks may seem adequate, but prices have stayed stubbornly near “high-tier parity.” How should USDA and USTR administer sugar policy when the old metrics may not mean as much? Learn more in this session! |
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| February 25, 2026 | Event | Speaker | Location |
| 7:30am - 8:00am |
Continental Breakfast
|
International Foyer | |
| 8:00am - 9:00am |
Session IX – Trade Policy & Tariffs
|
International Ballroom Salons II-III | |
|
The U.S. entered a new era of tariff-based trade policy in 2025 and now the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is to be reviewed for potential modifications in 2026. Don’t miss this session to hear from experts on where U.S. trade policy currently stands and where it may be headed as well as what it may mean for sugar trade. |
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| 9:00am - 10:30am |
Session X – Key Commodity Analysis
|
International Ballroom Salons II-III | |
|
Tariffs have been a dominant theme in commodity markets in the past year. Most affected was the soybean market, with U.S. exports to China dropping dramatically. The edible oils market, focused on soybean oil in the United States and palm oil globally, has the potential to explode based on new E.P.A. requirements for renewable fuels. And the corn market is working through record-high U.S. production in 2025. Meanwhile, cocoa prices have dropped from the nosebleed levels of April 2024 and early 2025 but remain elevated amid supply and demand uncertainty. The dairy industry is chugging along, boosted by surging consumer demand for protein. In this session, market experts will share analysis and outlooks. |
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Session I – Keynote Breakfast
A key Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for administering the sugar program will share his thoughts on the Administration’s efforts to reorganize and streamline the various agencies that make American agriculture great and highlight key successes. This session will provide an opportunity to hear the latest plans to advance U.S. agriculture and food policy.
Session II – International Sugar Market Dynamics
The international sugar market has moved from a large global deficit to a minor deficit or even slight surplus in the current year. Production and potentially exports rebounded in India and Thailand, while Brazil has favored sugar over ethanol, boosting supplies even as sugar cane production struggled under adverse weather. Despite supply deficits, sugar prices have been weak as the result of weak demand, weight-loss drugs, reformulation and other factors. Get the latest market analysis from our expert speakers.
Ron Sterk
Ron Sterk is senior editor, markets, for Food Business News and Milling & Baking News, and is editor of the Sosland Sweetener Report. Prior to joining Sosland Publishing Company in 2003, he was involved in market coverage and management for several years for real-time news services. He has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism with a focus in agronomy from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in business from Rockhurst University in Kansas City.
Jeff Dobrydney
Jeff has been with JSG Commodities since 2005, when he started as an Assistant Trader. Born and raised in Milford, CT and a graduate from Jesuit schools Fordham University and Fairfield Prep, Jeff has solidified his role within the Sugar trading community covering both the USMCA and World futures markets which includes penning a daily report. He is now the Sr. Vice President of JSG and heads the Futures & Options desk that executes trades for Sugar, Cocoa, Coffee and Grains for a wide array of clientele. Jeff also served as the President of the Sugar Club of New York and is a featured speaker at conferences throughout the country. A resident of Trumbull, Connecticut with his wife and two girls, Jeff also serves as President of a local 501(c)3 softball organization that promotes female athletes/coaches. In 2022, Jeff was named to the Advisory Board of “Save the Game”, the grass-roots effort designed to align with Major League Baseball to encourage youth participation in baseball. He is also the principal trumpet player at Trinity Church in Trumbull.
Vincent O’Rourke
Vincent has been working on the sugar fundamental analysis numerous years, and has played a significant role in the creation of “Czapp”, the Czarnikow market analysis website and app. After graduating his masters from King’s College London he joined Czarnikow in their London office as an analyst in 2016. He has transferred to the CZ Miami team in 2019 and has since been overseeing regional trade flows and market analysis for a large part of the Americas. He is also an active part of the Czarnikow trading team for raw and white sugar, and led the opening of CZ Colombia in May 2023.
Session III – North American Sweetener Market Outlook
The North American sugar market has gone from tight supplies and sky-high prices in 2023 to near record-high stocks, sharply lower prices and waning demand through 2025. Prices have stabilized, but other factors have disrupted the market, including higher USDA loan and storage rates for sugar in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and tariffs, reformulation and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. At the same time, the corn sweetener market is dealing with record-high U.S. 2025 corn production and waning demand. Market experts will examine the current supply and demand situation for sugar and corn sweeteners and offer price forecasts.
Frank Jenkins
Frank Jenkins is president of JSG Commodities, a commodities brokerage and consultancy located in South Norwalk, Connecticut. He has over 40 years of commodity market experience. Prior to founding JSG in 1993, Mr. Jenkins was a vice president with the Merrill Lynch Private Client Group in Manhattan. He started his career in the sugar industry with the Man Group in New York. He regularly addresses industry forums and was recently a Key Note speaker at the ISO Sugar Conference in London. He has served as President of the Sugar Club of New York and currently serves as Chairman of the ICE Domestic Sugar Committee. He is a graduate of Boston University and lives with his wife Kristen in Wilton, Connecticut.
Craig Ruffolo
As the son of a former CEO at McKeany-Flavell, Craig began learning about the food & beverage industry at an early age. He officially started his career with the company in 1995 and for nearly 30 years has provided market expertise to numerous businesses in the food and beverage space.
Considered an expert in the North American sweetener markets, he provides counsel to several Fortune 500 food and beverage companies, providing a fundamental view of what is impacting the price of the ingredients they purchase. As an educator and market analyst, his goal is to make everyone better at their job.
Craig’s work takes him key commodity production and manufacturing locations throughout the United States. During these visits he gathers information on the markets, distills it into usable intelligence, and then disseminates it the company’s clients. He is often invited to speak at industry events such as the International Sweetener Colloquium, a sponsored event of the Sweetener Users Association, the Symposium for the American Sugar Alliance, Sosland Publishing’s Purchasing Seminar, the BIO Industry conference on bio-fermentation, International Sugar Organization (ISO), and many others. His market analysis is used equally by both the buy and sell side of sugar and corn sweeteners, all in the effort to help people improve and become more informed on the markets they serve.
Craig graduated with a BA degree in economics from Knox College in 1992.
Ron Sterk
Ron Sterk is senior editor, markets, for Food Business News and Milling & Baking News, and is editor of the Sosland Sweetener Report. Prior to joining Sosland Publishing Company in 2003, he was involved in market coverage and management for several years for real-time news services. He has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism with a focus in agronomy from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in business from Rockhurst University in Kansas City.
Session IV – Outlook for the Economy
Tariffs have upended decades of U.S. trade policy, even as the economy keeps growing. Markets focus on the Fed’s next moves, and even its independence. Join us for this session and we’ll get insights on where the U.S. and world economy may be headed next.
Michael Gregory, CFA
Michael is part of the team responsible for forecasting and analyzing the North American economy and financial markets. He has spent his career working in either economics or financial markets research for firms on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. Prior to his current role, Michael headed up the Financial Services Analysis team at Bank of Montreal, focusing on regulatory and industry restructuring issues, before shifting to BMO Capital Markets Economics in 2004. He moved to Chicago in 2013, providing research support for the U.S. and Canadian fixed income business, before returning to Toronto in 2016. Michael is a graduate of Concordia University in Montreal and Western University in London, Ontario. He did doctoral studies at Fordham University in New York City, and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Session V – Nutrition Policies & Trends
The Make America Healthy Again movement looms large over the food policy landscape. Head-spinning policy changes leave food companies wondering what’s next. In this session, our panelists will give you their insights on what the future looks like.
Randy Green
Randy Green, a principal at Watson Green LLC, has seen food and agriculture policy from all sides, having served in both the executive and legislative branches of government and in the private sector. Over his career he has been closely involved in the development of five multi-year farm bills, as well as major legislation and regulations affecting derivatives, food safety, animal health and human nutrition.
Randy came to Washington in the 1980s to work for former Representative Charles Stenholm (D-Tex.) and later served former Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) on the staff of the Senate Agriculture Committee. With the exception of two years as a deputy under secretary of agriculture, Randy served on the agriculture committee staff continuously from 1989 to 1999. The last two years he was chief of staff.
In 1999 Randy entered the private sector to represent agricultural and food industry clients. Earlier in his career, he managed government relations for the American Soybean Association and was director of the Wheat Export Trade Education Center.
In 2013, Randy and Lisa Watson formed Watson Green LLC, a firm centered on food and agriculture policy and public affairs.
Roberta Wagner
Roberta Wagner is the Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs for the International Dairy Foods Association.
Prior to IDFA, Roberta served as vice president of regulatory and technical affairs for the Consumer Brands Association, formerly the Grocery Manufacturers Association since 2019.
Wagner spent 33 years in public service, most recently as the assistant administrator of the Office of Policy and Program Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Previously, Wagner served as the deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Field Operations at FSIS where she oversaw a workforce of 7,800 inspection program personnel, including consumer safety officers, public health veterinarians and food inspectors. Wagner also spent more than 25 years with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), working in a variety of roles from analytical chemist to associate commissioner for Food Safety Modernization Act implementation.
Courtney Gaine, Ph.D.
Courtney Gaine, Ph.D., R.D., is the President and CEO for the Sugar Association in Washington, D.C. Prior to this appointment in January 2016, Dr. Gaine served as the Vice President of Scientific Affairs at the association. Dr. Gaine previously served as senior science program manager at the North American branch of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI North America), a public, nonprofit scientific foundation that advances the understanding and application of science related to the nutritional quality and safety of the food supply. Prior to ILSI, Dr. Gaine held positions of project director, nutrition and wellness, at the nonprofit organization Convergence and science manager at FoodMinds, a public relations firm. She began her career in academia as an assistant professor at East Carolina University. A native Washingtonian, Dr. Gaine obtained her Ph.D. in nutritional sciences and biochemistry and bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Connecticut, where she was also a co-captain of the UConn women’s basketball team.
Session VI – Keynote Luncheon: Road Map to the 2026 & 2028 Elections
The 2024 elections ushered in full GOP control of the White House and Congress, but will that change in 2026 or 2028? David Wasserman provides the latest assessment of key Senate, House and gubernatorial contests that will shape policymaking in Washington and politics for years to come. How will Democrats survive the wilderness, and what's next for Republicans after Trump? Drawing on his extensive interactions with candidates and strategists on both sides of the aisle, David previews the road ahead and identifies the campaign trends and electoral mood swings that will define the next chapter of American politics.
David Wasserman
David Wasserman is the Senior Editor & Election Analyst for the nonpartisan newsletter, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, and a contributor to NBC News. Founded in 1984, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter provides analyses of U.S. presidential, Senate, House, and gubernatorial races. The New York Times called The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter “a newsletter that both parties regard as authoritative.”
In an era of polling uncertainty, Wasserman is the rare analyst who has accurately forecast the last three presidential elections. In 2016, Wasserman drew wide praise for his accurate pre-election analysis, including his uncanny September piece entitled, “How Trump Could Win the White House While Losing the Popular Vote.” In 2020, Wasserman's forecast of Biden's win was correct in 49 of 50 states, missing only North Carolina. And in 2024, Wasserman correctly assessed that erosion in Democratic support among young and nonwhite voters made Trump the slight favorite to retake the White House.
Wasserman analyzes the current political environment in lively and entertaining presentations that he can tailor to his audiences’ specific interests or locales. His data-driven forecasting looks at both national and local trends (if requested, he can even do a district-by-district outlook), the relationship between consumer brand loyalty and voting, and what the future holds for American elections. He is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau.
Highly Praised Expertise. Legendary forecaster Nate Silver has written: “Wasserman’s knowledge of the nooks and crannies of political geography can make him seem like a local,” and the Los Angeles Times called Wasserman “whip smart” and a “scrupulously nonpartisan” analyst whose “numbers nerd-dom was foretold at a young age.” Chuck Todd, former host of NBC's Meet the Press, has called David "pretty much the only person you need to follow on Election Night."
Political Intelligence. Wasserman has served as an analyst for the NBC News Election Night Decision Desk since 2008 and has also appeared on Fox News, CNN, and NPR. His commentary has been cited in numerous publications including the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, POLITICO, and the Washington Post. In 2018, his groundbreaking interactive collaboration with FiveThirtyEight, the "Atlas of Redistricting," took top prize for News Data App of the Year.
An enthusiast for data and maps, Wasserman serves as a contributing writer to the Almanac of American Politics. A frequent speaker and guest lecturer, he has shared insights into the latest political trends with audiences at Harvard's Institute of Politics, the Dole Institute of Politics, and the University of Chicago Institute of Politics – where he was named a resident Pritzker Fellow in 2019. In 2024, David was named an Andrew Carnegie Fellow by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Prior to joining the The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter in 2007, Wasserman served for three years as House editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a widely respected political analysis newsletter and website founded by renowned University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato. A native of New Jersey, Wasserman is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he was awarded the 2006 Emmerich-Wright Outstanding Thesis prize.
Session VII – Growing Demand Threats
Are GLP-1 drugs and other factors reducing demand in certain food categories? We’ve heard both yes and no on corporate earnings calls. What do the numbers actually say – and what are consumers telling us? Find out more from industry experts in this session.
Randy Green
Randy Green, a principal at Watson Green LLC, has seen food and agriculture policy from all sides, having served in both the executive and legislative branches of government and in the private sector. Over his career he has been closely involved in the development of five multi-year farm bills, as well as major legislation and regulations affecting derivatives, food safety, animal health and human nutrition.
Randy came to Washington in the 1980s to work for former Representative Charles Stenholm (D-Tex.) and later served former Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) on the staff of the Senate Agriculture Committee. With the exception of two years as a deputy under secretary of agriculture, Randy served on the agriculture committee staff continuously from 1989 to 1999. The last two years he was chief of staff.
In 1999 Randy entered the private sector to represent agricultural and food industry clients. Earlier in his career, he managed government relations for the American Soybean Association and was director of the Wheat Export Trade Education Center.
In 2013, Randy and Lisa Watson formed Watson Green LLC, a firm centered on food and agriculture policy and public affairs.
Session VIII – U.S. Sugar Program Administration & Policy Challenges
The One Big Beautiful Bill modified the sugar program to provide some sugar policy reform, but USDA and USTR continue to face many challenges in administering the sugar program to meet the needs of producers, consumers and food companies. Sugar stocks may seem adequate, but prices have stayed stubbornly near “high-tier parity.” How should USDA and USTR administer sugar policy when the old metrics may not mean as much? Learn more in this session!
Rob Johansson, PhD
Dr. Johansson is the Director of Economics & Policy Analysis for the American Sugar Alliance, representing American sugarbeet and sugarcane growers, processors, and refiners. Previously, Dr. Johansson worked in the US government for 23 years. In the early 1990’s, he was a Peace Corps aquaculture extension agent working with farmers in Zaire and Gabon; later as a government economist, he was a Senior Economist with the White House Council of Economic Advisers in the mid-2000’s; and finally, he finished his government career as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Chief Economist. There he was responsible for developing the first Trump Administration’s programs for farmers affected by the trade war with China and as well as the farm assistance program for the COVID disruption of ag markets.
Randy Green
Randy Green, a principal at Watson Green LLC, has seen food and agriculture policy from all sides, having served in both the executive and legislative branches of government and in the private sector. Over his career he has been closely involved in the development of five multi-year farm bills, as well as major legislation and regulations affecting derivatives, food safety, animal health and human nutrition.
Randy came to Washington in the 1980s to work for former Representative Charles Stenholm (D-Tex.) and later served former Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) on the staff of the Senate Agriculture Committee. With the exception of two years as a deputy under secretary of agriculture, Randy served on the agriculture committee staff continuously from 1989 to 1999. The last two years he was chief of staff.
In 1999 Randy entered the private sector to represent agricultural and food industry clients. Earlier in his career, he managed government relations for the American Soybean Association and was director of the Wheat Export Trade Education Center.
In 2013, Randy and Lisa Watson formed Watson Green LLC, a firm centered on food and agriculture policy and public affairs.
Paul Farmer
Bill O’Conner
Bill O'Conner joined the firm in 2010, bringing with him more than three decades of experience in the legislative and executive branches of government. During that time, he was one of the key policy staffers in the development and passage of five farm bills, three laws to restructure and reform the Farm Credit System, and the entire legislative development of the federal crop insurance program.
He also played a key role in the legislative evolution of futures and derivatives regulation from the 1980's through House passage of the most recent financial services reform in 2009. He continues to follow closely the implementation of the Dodd - Frank Act and the huge number of regulations that are being promulgated to implement that Act. He was at the center of legislation regulating pesticides, including the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. He has played a major legislative role in all of the diverse legislation in the jurisdiction of the House Agriculture Committee from forestry to food stamps and tobacco to trade.
Former Jobs/Positions Held
Mr. O'Conner began his service in Washington in 1979, working in the House Republican leadership. In 1983, he was brought to the House Agriculture Committee by Congressman Ed Madigan of Illinois, where he worked as deputy staff director. In 1991 Congressman Madigan became Agriculture Secretary Madigan and Bill became his chief of staff. In addition to overseeing general functioning of USDA, Bill worked intensively on the negotiation of the Uruguay Round of trade talks.
In 1993, Bill returned to the House Agriculture Committee as policy director, coordinating and implementing policy for the Committee. He served in that capacity for Chairman Pat Roberts of Kansas and Chairman Bob Smith of Oregon. In 1999 Chairman Larry Combest of Texas named Bill Staff Director for the Committee, a position that continued under Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia. At the time Bill retired from Capitol Hill to join the firm, he was serving as minority policy director for Ranking Member Frank Lucas of Oklahoma.
Session IX – Trade Policy & Tariffs
The U.S. entered a new era of tariff-based trade policy in 2025 and now the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is to be reviewed for potential modifications in 2026. Don’t miss this session to hear from experts on where U.S. trade policy currently stands and where it may be headed as well as what it may mean for sugar trade.
Kristy Goodfellow
As CRA’s Vice President of Trade and Industry Affairs, Kristy Goodfellow provides strategic and tactical leadership to CRA and its members on trade policy, statistical and co-products reporting programs, transportation issues, and industry affairs.
Kristy is a proven agriculture trade policy professional with experience negotiating and enforcing bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. She has significant technical expertise in agricultural market access, including tariffs, agricultural subsidies, import licensing, dispute settlement, and other aspects of policies that matter to the corn refining industry and the wider agriculture community.
Prior to joining CRA, Kristy served as the Director of World Trade Organization (WTO) Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). In that role, Kristy collaborated with U.S. agriculture industry groups to ensure the coordination of global trade positions. She led the teams supporting WTO negotiations, WTO committee-level enforcement, WTO dispute settlement, and review of sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade that were notified to the WTO.
Kristy’s experience also includes serving as: Deputy Director at USDA, FAS, Office of Agreements and Scientific Affairs where she represented the U.S. at the WTO Committee on Agriculture and oversaw staff working on bilateral enforcement; and as Senior Trade Advisor at FAS where she worked extensively on trade barriers in Canada and Mexico and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) negotiations.
Kristy is the recipient of numerous professional honors including a 2022 FAS Administrator Award for work on the WTO 12th Ministerial Conference and a 2020 Secretary’s Honor Award for her outstanding contributions to American Agriculture through the USMCA negotiation.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business administration from Coe College and a Master of Public Policy with an emphasis on global policy from the University of Minnesota. She is originally from Iowa, where her family farms.
Rick Pasco
Rick Pasco is a partner at Watkinson Miller PLLC where he is legal counsel and lobbyist for several agribusiness clients in the food, agricultural, trade and environmental arenas. He has 40 years of experience working in agriculture and food-related legislative and regulatory matters. Mr. Pasco specializes in advising and representing trade associations and companies on government policies and programs. In this capacity, he serves as President of the Sweetener Users Association.
He has a wealth of experience working with Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He has played a key role in implementing lobbying strategies and advancing agricultural program and trade reforms, as well as developing environmental guidelines, food labeling rules, and food safety/nutrition legislation. During his private and public-sector career, he has been closely involved in eight omnibus farm bills.
Mr. Pasco is a member of the bars of the District of Columbia, Colorado and Nebraska. He received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington and earned a M.S. degree in Agricultural Economics and a J.D. degree from the University of Nebraska.
David Salmonsen
David Salmonsen is currently senior director of governmental affairs with the American Farm Bureau Federation office in Washington, D.C. As a member of the Public Policy Team his responsibilities include trade policy and international issues.
Prior to joining the American Farm Bureau in 1996 he was Assistant to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. He was also Senior Director of Governmental Relations with the New York Farm Bureau.
David grew up on a diversified dairy, crop and vegetable farm in Manlius, N.Y. He graduated from the University at Albany and from the Washington College of Law. He is a member of the USDA/USTR Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee. He previously served on the Advisory Committee for the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany. He is a graduate of Class V of the LEAD-NY program. David is a member of the American Agricultural Law Association and is admitted to the bar in New York.
He is the principal Washington legislative contact for several Northeastern State Farm Bureaus.
Cassandra Kuball
Cassandra’s passion for advocating on behalf of agriculture started on her family’s dairy farm in Minnesota, where she helped provide tours to the community and state representatives. The drive to share the story of food and agriculture ultimately brought her to Washington, D.C. and the Torrey Advisory Group where she serves clients on a range of issues affecting the industry with a focus on international trade.
Cassandra is also skilled at bringing people together as demonstrated with the establishment of an industry-wide coalition around the renegotiation of NAFTA that brought all agricultural stakeholders to the table and successfully advocated for the agreement. As a coalition leader, she made sure to incorporate different perspectives, ensuring buy-in along the way. With clients, she helps them map out the end goal for the year, such as moving an issue legislatively, and is skilled at determining the incremental steps to achieve those goals.
Cassandra received her master’s degree in international commerce and policy from the George Mason University School of Public Policy and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural industries and marketing from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Agriculture, Energy & Environment programming section of the Women in International Trade (WIIT) DC Chapter. When she isn’t working with clients, Cassandra’s favorite motivational podcast is How I Built This as it dives into the mindset and drive of innovators and entrepreneurs.
Session X – Key Commodity Analysis
Tariffs have been a dominant theme in commodity markets in the past year. Most affected was the soybean market, with U.S. exports to China dropping dramatically. The edible oils market, focused on soybean oil in the United States and palm oil globally, has the potential to explode based on new E.P.A. requirements for renewable fuels. And the corn market is working through record-high U.S. production in 2025. Meanwhile, cocoa prices have dropped from the nosebleed levels of April 2024 and early 2025 but remain elevated amid supply and demand uncertainty. The dairy industry is chugging along, boosted by surging consumer demand for protein. In this session, market experts will share analysis and outlooks.
Lucas Fuess
Lucas Fuess is a Senior Dairy Analyst at Rabobank, where he works within the bank’s RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness group to monitor and evaluate dairy market events that affect food and agriculture worldwide. He discerns key insights into US and global dairy markets, conducts in-depth analysis of the factors that drive sector success or failure, and examines megatrends that ultimately influence clients’ business strategies. Before joining Rabobank in 2023, Lucas has held positions at HighGround Dairy and Glanbia Nutritionals. Lucas grew up on a dairy farm in New York and holds degrees from Cornell University, Purdue University, and Indiana University.
Hugo van der Goes
Mr. van der Goes is currently ‘Senior Vice President Commercial’ at the Blommer Chocolate Company. He Leads Sales, R&D, Marketing and Customer Service & is a member of Blommer Executive leadership Team.
Prior to joining Blommer in May 2025, van der Goes served as the Vice President Cocoa, North America for Barry Callebaut. In this role, he was responsible for the company’s North American cocoa business, including leadership of the commercial team, risk management and financial performance of the business.
Before joining Barry Callebaut, van der Goes worked for 16 years at Cargill in different senior management positions within the cocoa & chocolate division. His roles included responsibility for Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate commercial and cocoa sustainability functions.
Between 2010 and 2022, he served as Board member of The Cocoa Merchants Association of America (CMAA) , 2 Years as Chairman of the Board.
Van der Goes attended Erasmus University, Rotterdam (The Netherlands), where he received a Master of Science in Economics and International Marketing Management.
Rick Pasco
Rick Pasco is a partner at Watkinson Miller PLLC where he is legal counsel and lobbyist for several agribusiness clients in the food, agricultural, trade and environmental arenas. He has 40 years of experience working in agriculture and food-related legislative and regulatory matters. Mr. Pasco specializes in advising and representing trade associations and companies on government policies and programs. In this capacity, he serves as President of the Sweetener Users Association.
He has a wealth of experience working with Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He has played a key role in implementing lobbying strategies and advancing agricultural program and trade reforms, as well as developing environmental guidelines, food labeling rules, and food safety/nutrition legislation. During his private and public-sector career, he has been closely involved in eight omnibus farm bills.
Mr. Pasco is a member of the bars of the District of Columbia, Colorado and Nebraska. He received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington and earned a M.S. degree in Agricultural Economics and a J.D. degree from the University of Nebraska.
Steve Nicholson
Speakers
Jeff Dobrydney
Senior Vice President, Head of Futures & Options JSG Commodities
Jeff Dobrydney
Jeff has been with JSG Commodities since 2005, when he started as an Assistant Trader. Born and raised in Milford, CT and a graduate from Jesuit schools Fordham University and Fairfield Prep, Jeff has solidified his role within the Sugar trading community covering both the USMCA and World futures markets which includes penning a daily report. He is now the Sr. Vice President of JSG and heads the Futures & Options desk that executes trades for Sugar, Cocoa, Coffee and Grains for a wide array of clientele. Jeff also served as the President of the Sugar Club of New York and is a featured speaker at conferences throughout the country. A resident of Trumbull, Connecticut with his wife and two girls, Jeff also serves as President of a local 501(c)3 softball organization that promotes female athletes/coaches. In 2022, Jeff was named to the Advisory Board of “Save the Game”, the grass-roots effort designed to align with Major League Baseball to encourage youth participation in baseball. He is also the principal trumpet player at Trinity Church in Trumbull.
Lucas Fuess
Senior Dairy Analyst, Rabobank
Lucas Fuess
Lucas Fuess is a Senior Dairy Analyst at Rabobank, where he works within the bank’s RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness group to monitor and evaluate dairy market events that affect food and agriculture worldwide. He discerns key insights into US and global dairy markets, conducts in-depth analysis of the factors that drive sector success or failure, and examines megatrends that ultimately influence clients’ business strategies. Before joining Rabobank in 2023, Lucas has held positions at HighGround Dairy and Glanbia Nutritionals. Lucas grew up on a dairy farm in New York and holds degrees from Cornell University, Purdue University, and Indiana University.
Courtney Gaine, Ph.D.
President and CEO | The Sugar Association
Courtney Gaine, Ph.D.
Courtney Gaine, Ph.D., R.D., is the President and CEO for the Sugar Association in Washington, D.C. Prior to this appointment in January 2016, Dr. Gaine served as the Vice President of Scientific Affairs at the association. Dr. Gaine previously served as senior science program manager at the North American branch of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI North America), a public, nonprofit scientific foundation that advances the understanding and application of science related to the nutritional quality and safety of the food supply. Prior to ILSI, Dr. Gaine held positions of project director, nutrition and wellness, at the nonprofit organization Convergence and science manager at FoodMinds, a public relations firm. She began her career in academia as an assistant professor at East Carolina University. A native Washingtonian, Dr. Gaine obtained her Ph.D. in nutritional sciences and biochemistry and bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Connecticut, where she was also a co-captain of the UConn women’s basketball team.
Randy Green
Principal | Watson Green LLC
Randy Green
Randy Green, a principal at Watson Green LLC, has seen food and agriculture policy from all sides, having served in both the executive and legislative branches of government and in the private sector. Over his career he has been closely involved in the development of five multi-year farm bills, as well as major legislation and regulations affecting derivatives, food safety, animal health and human nutrition.
Randy came to Washington in the 1980s to work for former Representative Charles Stenholm (D-Tex.) and later served former Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) on the staff of the Senate Agriculture Committee. With the exception of two years as a deputy under secretary of agriculture, Randy served on the agriculture committee staff continuously from 1989 to 1999. The last two years he was chief of staff.
In 1999 Randy entered the private sector to represent agricultural and food industry clients. Earlier in his career, he managed government relations for the American Soybean Association and was director of the Wheat Export Trade Education Center.
In 2013, Randy and Lisa Watson formed Watson Green LLC, a firm centered on food and agriculture policy and public affairs.
Michael Gregory, CFA
Deputy Chief Economist & Managing Director, Economics | BMO
Michael Gregory, CFA
Michael is part of the team responsible for forecasting and analyzing the North American economy and financial markets. He has spent his career working in either economics or financial markets research for firms on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. Prior to his current role, Michael headed up the Financial Services Analysis team at Bank of Montreal, focusing on regulatory and industry restructuring issues, before shifting to BMO Capital Markets Economics in 2004. He moved to Chicago in 2013, providing research support for the U.S. and Canadian fixed income business, before returning to Toronto in 2016. Michael is a graduate of Concordia University in Montreal and Western University in London, Ontario. He did doctoral studies at Fordham University in New York City, and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
Frank Jenkins
President | JSG Commodities
Frank Jenkins
Frank Jenkins is president of JSG Commodities, a commodities brokerage and consultancy located in South Norwalk, Connecticut. He has over 40 years of commodity market experience. Prior to founding JSG in 1993, Mr. Jenkins was a vice president with the Merrill Lynch Private Client Group in Manhattan. He started his career in the sugar industry with the Man Group in New York. He regularly addresses industry forums and was recently a Key Note speaker at the ISO Sugar Conference in London. He has served as President of the Sugar Club of New York and currently serves as Chairman of the ICE Domestic Sugar Committee. He is a graduate of Boston University and lives with his wife Kristen in Wilton, Connecticut.
Rob Johansson, PhD
Director of Economic and Policy Analysis | American Sugar Alliance
Rob Johansson, PhD
Dr. Johansson is the Director of Economics & Policy Analysis for the American Sugar Alliance, representing American sugarbeet and sugarcane growers, processors, and refiners. Previously, Dr. Johansson worked in the US government for 23 years. In the early 1990’s, he was a Peace Corps aquaculture extension agent working with farmers in Zaire and Gabon; later as a government economist, he was a Senior Economist with the White House Council of Economic Advisers in the mid-2000’s; and finally, he finished his government career as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Chief Economist. There he was responsible for developing the first Trump Administration’s programs for farmers affected by the trade war with China and as well as the farm assistance program for the COVID disruption of ag markets.
Cassandra Kuball
Vice President | Torrey Advisory Group
Cassandra Kuball
Cassandra’s passion for advocating on behalf of agriculture started on her family’s dairy farm in Minnesota, where she helped provide tours to the community and state representatives. The drive to share the story of food and agriculture ultimately brought her to Washington, D.C. and the Torrey Advisory Group where she serves clients on a range of issues affecting the industry with a focus on international trade.
Cassandra is also skilled at bringing people together as demonstrated with the establishment of an industry-wide coalition around the renegotiation of NAFTA that brought all agricultural stakeholders to the table and successfully advocated for the agreement. As a coalition leader, she made sure to incorporate different perspectives, ensuring buy-in along the way. With clients, she helps them map out the end goal for the year, such as moving an issue legislatively, and is skilled at determining the incremental steps to achieve those goals.
Cassandra received her master’s degree in international commerce and policy from the George Mason University School of Public Policy and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural industries and marketing from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Agriculture, Energy & Environment programming section of the Women in International Trade (WIIT) DC Chapter. When she isn’t working with clients, Cassandra’s favorite motivational podcast is How I Built This as it dives into the mindset and drive of innovators and entrepreneurs.
Bill O’Conner
Agriculture Policy Expert, Watkinson Miller PLLC
Bill O’Conner
Bill O'Conner joined the firm in 2010, bringing with him more than three decades of experience in the legislative and executive branches of government. During that time, he was one of the key policy staffers in the development and passage of five farm bills, three laws to restructure and reform the Farm Credit System, and the entire legislative development of the federal crop insurance program.
He also played a key role in the legislative evolution of futures and derivatives regulation from the 1980's through House passage of the most recent financial services reform in 2009. He continues to follow closely the implementation of the Dodd - Frank Act and the huge number of regulations that are being promulgated to implement that Act. He was at the center of legislation regulating pesticides, including the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996. He has played a major legislative role in all of the diverse legislation in the jurisdiction of the House Agriculture Committee from forestry to food stamps and tobacco to trade.
Former Jobs/Positions Held
Mr. O'Conner began his service in Washington in 1979, working in the House Republican leadership. In 1983, he was brought to the House Agriculture Committee by Congressman Ed Madigan of Illinois, where he worked as deputy staff director. In 1991 Congressman Madigan became Agriculture Secretary Madigan and Bill became his chief of staff. In addition to overseeing general functioning of USDA, Bill worked intensively on the negotiation of the Uruguay Round of trade talks.
In 1993, Bill returned to the House Agriculture Committee as policy director, coordinating and implementing policy for the Committee. He served in that capacity for Chairman Pat Roberts of Kansas and Chairman Bob Smith of Oregon. In 1999 Chairman Larry Combest of Texas named Bill Staff Director for the Committee, a position that continued under Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia. At the time Bill retired from Capitol Hill to join the firm, he was serving as minority policy director for Ranking Member Frank Lucas of Oklahoma.
Vincent O’Rourke
Trader and Market Analyst, C. Czarnikow Sugar, Inc.
Vincent O’Rourke
Vincent has been working on the sugar fundamental analysis numerous years, and has played a significant role in the creation of “Czapp”, the Czarnikow market analysis website and app. After graduating his masters from King’s College London he joined Czarnikow in their London office as an analyst in 2016. He has transferred to the CZ Miami team in 2019 and has since been overseeing regional trade flows and market analysis for a large part of the Americas. He is also an active part of the Czarnikow trading team for raw and white sugar, and led the opening of CZ Colombia in May 2023.
Rick Pasco
President | Sweetener Users Association
Rick Pasco
Rick Pasco is a partner at Watkinson Miller PLLC where he is legal counsel and lobbyist for several agribusiness clients in the food, agricultural, trade and environmental arenas. He has 40 years of experience working in agriculture and food-related legislative and regulatory matters. Mr. Pasco specializes in advising and representing trade associations and companies on government policies and programs. In this capacity, he serves as President of the Sweetener Users Association.
He has a wealth of experience working with Congress, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He has played a key role in implementing lobbying strategies and advancing agricultural program and trade reforms, as well as developing environmental guidelines, food labeling rules, and food safety/nutrition legislation. During his private and public-sector career, he has been closely involved in eight omnibus farm bills.
Mr. Pasco is a member of the bars of the District of Columbia, Colorado and Nebraska. He received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington and earned a M.S. degree in Agricultural Economics and a J.D. degree from the University of Nebraska.
Craig Ruffolo
Owner, Vice President – Commodity Specialist | McKeany-Flavell Company
Craig Ruffolo
As the son of a former CEO at McKeany-Flavell, Craig began learning about the food & beverage industry at an early age. He officially started his career with the company in 1995 and for nearly 30 years has provided market expertise to numerous businesses in the food and beverage space.
Considered an expert in the North American sweetener markets, he provides counsel to several Fortune 500 food and beverage companies, providing a fundamental view of what is impacting the price of the ingredients they purchase. As an educator and market analyst, his goal is to make everyone better at their job.
Craig’s work takes him key commodity production and manufacturing locations throughout the United States. During these visits he gathers information on the markets, distills it into usable intelligence, and then disseminates it the company’s clients. He is often invited to speak at industry events such as the International Sweetener Colloquium, a sponsored event of the Sweetener Users Association, the Symposium for the American Sugar Alliance, Sosland Publishing’s Purchasing Seminar, the BIO Industry conference on bio-fermentation, International Sugar Organization (ISO), and many others. His market analysis is used equally by both the buy and sell side of sugar and corn sweeteners, all in the effort to help people improve and become more informed on the markets they serve.
Craig graduated with a BA degree in economics from Knox College in 1992.
David Salmonsen
Senior Director, Government Affairs | American Farm Bureau Federation
David Salmonsen
David Salmonsen is currently senior director of governmental affairs with the American Farm Bureau Federation office in Washington, D.C. As a member of the Public Policy Team his responsibilities include trade policy and international issues.
Prior to joining the American Farm Bureau in 1996 he was Assistant to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. He was also Senior Director of Governmental Relations with the New York Farm Bureau.
David grew up on a diversified dairy, crop and vegetable farm in Manlius, N.Y. He graduated from the University at Albany and from the Washington College of Law. He is a member of the USDA/USTR Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee. He previously served on the Advisory Committee for the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany. He is a graduate of Class V of the LEAD-NY program. David is a member of the American Agricultural Law Association and is admitted to the bar in New York.
He is the principal Washington legislative contact for several Northeastern State Farm Bureaus.
Ron Sterk
Senior Editor, Markets | Sosland Publishing
Ron Sterk
Ron Sterk is senior editor, markets, for Food Business News and Milling & Baking News, and is editor of the Sosland Sweetener Report. Prior to joining Sosland Publishing Company in 2003, he was involved in market coverage and management for several years for real-time news services. He has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism with a focus in agronomy from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in business from Rockhurst University in Kansas City.
David Wasserman
Senior Editor and Election Analyst, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter & NBC Contributor
David Wasserman
David Wasserman is the Senior Editor & Election Analyst for the nonpartisan newsletter, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, and a contributor to NBC News. Founded in 1984, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter provides analyses of U.S. presidential, Senate, House, and gubernatorial races. The New York Times called The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter “a newsletter that both parties regard as authoritative.”
In an era of polling uncertainty, Wasserman is the rare analyst who has accurately forecast the last three presidential elections. In 2016, Wasserman drew wide praise for his accurate pre-election analysis, including his uncanny September piece entitled, “How Trump Could Win the White House While Losing the Popular Vote.” In 2020, Wasserman's forecast of Biden's win was correct in 49 of 50 states, missing only North Carolina. And in 2024, Wasserman correctly assessed that erosion in Democratic support among young and nonwhite voters made Trump the slight favorite to retake the White House.
Wasserman analyzes the current political environment in lively and entertaining presentations that he can tailor to his audiences’ specific interests or locales. His data-driven forecasting looks at both national and local trends (if requested, he can even do a district-by-district outlook), the relationship between consumer brand loyalty and voting, and what the future holds for American elections. He is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau.
Highly Praised Expertise. Legendary forecaster Nate Silver has written: “Wasserman’s knowledge of the nooks and crannies of political geography can make him seem like a local,” and the Los Angeles Times called Wasserman “whip smart” and a “scrupulously nonpartisan” analyst whose “numbers nerd-dom was foretold at a young age.” Chuck Todd, former host of NBC's Meet the Press, has called David "pretty much the only person you need to follow on Election Night."
Political Intelligence. Wasserman has served as an analyst for the NBC News Election Night Decision Desk since 2008 and has also appeared on Fox News, CNN, and NPR. His commentary has been cited in numerous publications including the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, POLITICO, and the Washington Post. In 2018, his groundbreaking interactive collaboration with FiveThirtyEight, the "Atlas of Redistricting," took top prize for News Data App of the Year.
An enthusiast for data and maps, Wasserman serves as a contributing writer to the Almanac of American Politics. A frequent speaker and guest lecturer, he has shared insights into the latest political trends with audiences at Harvard's Institute of Politics, the Dole Institute of Politics, and the University of Chicago Institute of Politics – where he was named a resident Pritzker Fellow in 2019. In 2024, David was named an Andrew Carnegie Fellow by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Prior to joining the The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter in 2007, Wasserman served for three years as House editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a widely respected political analysis newsletter and website founded by renowned University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato. A native of New Jersey, Wasserman is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he was awarded the 2006 Emmerich-Wright Outstanding Thesis prize.
Hugo van der Goes
Commercial | Blommer Chocolate Company
Hugo van der Goes
Mr. van der Goes is currently ‘Senior Vice President Commercial’ at the Blommer Chocolate Company. He Leads Sales, R&D, Marketing and Customer Service & is a member of Blommer Executive leadership Team.
Prior to joining Blommer in May 2025, van der Goes served as the Vice President Cocoa, North America for Barry Callebaut. In this role, he was responsible for the company’s North American cocoa business, including leadership of the commercial team, risk management and financial performance of the business.
Before joining Barry Callebaut, van der Goes worked for 16 years at Cargill in different senior management positions within the cocoa & chocolate division. His roles included responsibility for Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate commercial and cocoa sustainability functions.
Between 2010 and 2022, he served as Board member of The Cocoa Merchants Association of America (CMAA) , 2 Years as Chairman of the Board.
Van der Goes attended Erasmus University, Rotterdam (The Netherlands), where he received a Master of Science in Economics and International Marketing Management.
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
Address: 1500 Masters Boulevard, ChampionsGate, Florida 33896
The International Sweetener Colloquium will be held at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Champions Gate, Florida (the greater Orlando area). A discounted room rate of $339 per night plus a daily resort fee of $20 and applicable taxes will be available to International Sweetener Colloquium attendees. The deadline to secure a room is January 29, 2026 or until the room block sells out. We have reserved a large block of rooms, but once the room block is full, we cannot guarantee that additional space will be available.
Hotel Reservation Policy: You must register for the International Sweetener Colloquium to be eligible for the conference discounted room rates. All registrants will receive a registration confirmation email that will include instructions on how to confirm your hotel reservation. Only one reservation is permitted per registrant. If a hotel guest is not registered for the International Sweetener Colloquium, we reserve the right to cancel the guest room reservation without notice.
Hotel Cancellation Policy: Hotel reservations can be canceled up to seventy-two (72) hours prior to arrival without fees. If complete cancellation of an individual reservation takes place within seventy-two (72) hours of the scheduled arrival a cancellation fee equal to one (1) night room and tax will be charged by the hotel.
Golf
Sunday, February 22 | 12:30 PM Shotgun Start
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate | International Course
This 72-par course, designed by Greg Norman, is a coastal links style course with generous fairways, littered with hundreds of pot bunkers and water features on every hole. The International Course was recently ranked no. 9 in the top overall courses ranked by GOLF Advisor, and is home to sprawling greens and wind-swept dunes, featuring 18 of the most dramatic and challenging holes in the state.
Registration: $295 per person
Registration Includes: Greens fees, boxed lunch, cart fees, practice balls, beverages, and service fees. Appropriate golf attire and shoes are required (metal spikes are not allowed).
We will do our best to accommodate any foursome requests. If you would like to request a person(s) in your foursome, please list their name and company during registration.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Golf Tournament Sponsored by:
Golf Beverage Cart Sponsored by:
Pickleball (New this year!)
Pickleball Is Coming to the 2026 International Sweetener Colloquium!
Grab your paddles and join us on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 22nd, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. for the first annual International Sweetener Colloquium Tournament at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate. All pickleball enthusiasts and novices are welcome. Register to have an opportunity to play pickleball and connect with other conference attendees before the conference officially kicks-off later that evening. Newcomers and aficionados alike are welcome.
The afternoon will include short clinics led by club pros for beginners and those who want to hone their skills, followed by a round-robin tournament and playoff with the top eight players, as well as an awards ceremony. The top two players at the end of the tournament will win an inscribed award plaque!
Registration Fees
Individual: $75
Registration Includes: Equipment, towels and light refreshments. Appropriate attire and shoes are required.
Thank you to our sponsor!
Pickleball Tournament Sponsored by:
**University: Faculty members and full-time students are welcome to register at this rate. A university email is required at registration to receive this rate.
Q: Registration Substitutions
Registration is non-transferable from one company to another; however, substitutions within companies are welcome at any time. Please email registrar@idfa.org if you would like to make a registration substitution.
Q: Registration Cancellation Policy
Registration cancellations received in writing will be accepted prior to January 23, 2026 for a full refund, minus a $75 processing fee. Cancellations received after January 23, 2026, will be eligible for a 50 percent refund, less the processing fee. Your registration fee is non-refundable after February 16, 2026. Substitutions may be made without penalty. All cancellations and substitutions must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Q: Golf Tournament Cancellation Policy
All golf tournament cancellations will receive a full refund prior to January 23, 2026. Your golf tournament registration fee is non-refundable after January 23, 2026. Substitutions may be made without penalty. All cancellations and substitutions must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Q: Pickleball Tournament Cancellation Policy
All pickleball tournament cancellations will receive a full refund prior to January 23, 2026. Your pickleball tournament registration fee is non-refundable after January 23, 2026. Substitutions may be made without penalty. All cancellations and substitutions must be received in writing at registrar@idfa.org.
Q: News Media
Credentialed members of the news media are welcome to register at a special rate by contacting mherrick@idfa.org. News media must present credentials to qualify.
Questions: If you have questions or need assistance with the registration process, please contact IDFA at (202) 737-4332 or registrar@idfa.org.
Sponsors
For more than forty years, the International Sweetener Colloquium has been a popular place for industry professionals to meet, network and conduct business. The flexible meeting format and location encourage formal and informal discussions and fosters relationships, while a host of informative presentations highlight important trends and issues affecting the sweetener industry.
For those interested in sponsorship, the Colloquium is the place to be seen and heard. Sponsorship is one of the best ways to brand your organization as a thought-leader and to highlight your commitment to advancing the sweetener industry. The Colloquium offers various levels of sponsorship opportunities. Please contact lgold@idfa.org for more information.
Sponsors: