Global Midwest Alliance
888.808.0462
Driving Innovation and Growth
INDUSTRY FOCUS SERIES: FOOD INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION, GROWTH & GLOBALIZATION
Date:
Time:
Location:
Reservations Required:
May 21, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
230 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60604
Join Global Midwest Alliance and host, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, as we delve into how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming food production across the food supply chain from agribusiness to food processing in the Midwest, as well as the implications for global markets.
American heartland farms and food processors supply food to the nation and much of the world. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is set to reshape agriculture and food production on a global scale—strengthening regional competitiveness while helping address the challenge of feeding an estimated 10 billion people by 2050.
AI technologies are already driving a new era of precision agriculture across the Midwest. From family farms to major agribusinesses, real-time soil monitoring, predictive analytics, advanced weather modeling, and automated irrigation are increasing yields by up to 30% while improving resource efficiency. AI and other cutting-edge information technologies are supporting faster plant breeding and driving innovation in crop-disease detection, pest management, food supply chains, logistics, and market forecasting, helping producers respond more quickly to global food demand.
Further, AI is democratizing agricultural and food processing expertise. Digital platforms now provide smallholder farmers worldwide with actionable insights once available only to large corporate growers. Moreover, AI is already a critical asset for food and ingredient companies, providing tactical deliverables across the supply chain and freeing human talent for higher-value work. This convergence of traditional strengths of the food system and advanced AI tools are opening a new chapter of data-driven production, marketing, and distribution of food, helping the industry navigate climate volatility, resource challenges, and the global imperative for food security.
This program will explore issues of critical importance to the economic vitality of Midwestern agricultural and food processing companies. By bringing together industry experts, researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs, this seminar series fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing, promoting the development of thriving business ventures in the fields of food and agriculture.
Speakers will also discuss how AI is transforming food production across the food supply chain from agribusiness to food processing in the Midwest, as well as the implications for global markets. Participants will learn from industry leaders across agribusiness and food & beverage consumer packaged goods (CPG). Discussions will highlight real-world applications from farm operations and food production to consumer products and logistics, showcasing how AI is enabling new business creation and operational efficiency.
Participant Expectations
> Engage in robust dialog with C-Suite executives on how AI is shaping the future of food—based on real scientific and economic data.
> Networking opportunities with C-Suite executives and other leaders that are driving innovation—from large corporations to startups in agribusiness and food processing.
> Investment opportunities will also be facilitated through conversations with banking and investment executives focused on regional and global food production.
Seating is limited. Please register on or before May 19, 2026.
How AI is Transforming the Food and Agribusiness Industries
in the Midwest
About Our Host
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up the nation’s central bank. The Chicago Fed serves the Seventh Federal Reserve District, which encompasses the northern portions of Illinois and Indiana, southern Wisconsin, the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, and the state of Iowa. In addition to participation in the formulation of monetary policy, each Reserve Bank supervises member banks and bank holding companies, provides financial services to depository institutions and the U.S. government, and monitors economic conditions in its District.
About Global Midwest Alliance
Global Midwest Alliance is a business-led, region-wide not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to transforming the Midwest into an internationally-recognized leader in innovation and business growth. The Alliance aligns and integrates resources throughout the Midwest helping businesses to grow by leveraging existing resources to develop new products and find customers throughout the world. The Alliance is the Private Sector Liaison Office for the World Bank and a member of Global CONNECT. Through these and other affiliations, the Alliance facilitates access to global business opportunities for Midwest business through 155 groups in 98 countries around the world. The Alliance offers educational and networking opportunities through a variety of programs and resources designed to promote innovation, technology development and access to global opportunities in the clean technology, energy, food, logistics, manufacturing and water industries.
Member of
AGENDA
Registration, Breakfast and Qualified Introductions
Welcome and Opening Remarks
David Oppedahl, Policy Advisor, Regional Economics, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Keynote Presentation
Keynote Speaker: TBA
Networking and Coffee Break
Innovation and Technology Panel
Moderator: TBA
Panelists:
Gerry Galloway, Co-Founder, President and Co-CEO, FoodReady
Kevin Honaker, Chief Executive Officer, BiomeSense, Inc
Francisco Martin-Rayo, CEO & Co-Founder, Helios
Networking and Coffee Break
Growth and Global Opportunities Panel
Moderator: Paul McNamara, PhD, Founder and Director, AgReach Program and Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Panelists: TBA
Closing Remarks
8:00 a.m.
8:25 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
9:15 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
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