March 13, 2023 – Animal rights extremism is unfortunately nothing new to the animal agriculture and food communities, but the tactics and campaigns used by those seeking to take meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, and seafood off consumers’ plates continue to change and evolve. Jack Hubbard, partner and owner of DC-area public affairs firm Berman, will provide a keynote address at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2023 Stakeholders Summit on methods used by extremist groups to exploit animals and donors to further their agendas and what attendees can do to set the record straight. The 2023 Summit is set for May 4-5 in Arlington, Va. and themed “Partners in Progress: Building a Sustainable Future for Animal Ag.” By popular demand, early registration discounts have been extended through March 17. Register today!
The animal rights movement today has become more diverse, sophisticated, well-funded, and coordinated. A growing number of animal rights extremist groups are driving legislation, attacking food brands, pushing negative news stories, and utilizing other methods. As the dynamic of these groups changes and their fundraising continues to grow, so must the farm and food communities’ tactics, intensity, and focus. In this session, Hubbard will share the true intentions and strategies behind these extremist groups and how we can safeguard our future with messages proven to diminish their exploitation of animals and donors.
“In addition to efforts focused on farms and processing facilities, targeting investors tied to restaurant, retail, and foodservice brands is a growing trend we’re seeing from animal rights extremist groups among many other campaigns that we monitor,” said Abby Kornegay, manager, issues and engagement, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “These groups are ruthless in their pressure campaigns and will go to any length to reach the answer they’re after, which at the end of the day is ending animal agriculture. Jack Hubbard’s expertise in this area will provide valuable insight to the food and farming communities as they navigate pressure from ‘factory fundraisers.’”
Hubbard is an owner and partner at Berman and provides advice and counsel to CEOs and senior executives seeking to “change the debate” on key issues. He regularly delivers speeches to share insight on managing public opinion, legislative strategies, and crisis communications. Hubbard previously served as chief marketing officer and later chief operating officer at American Humane, where he helped drive unprecedented growth in revenue and program impact. He was later honored with the organization’s prestigious National Humanitarian Medal. He studied political science at Davidson College in North Carolina and has served on several boards, including the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs.
Summit attendees can secure a discounted hotel rate at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View by booking before April 11. All Summit events will be held at this hotel. Reserve your hotel room now. Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA23 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about Summit, please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.
Get involved:
Refer-a-friend
Help us spread the word about Summit! If you refer a friend to attend the 2023 Summit who has never attended a previous Summit and they list your name as the person who recommended them when they register for the event, you’ll both be entered in a drawing to win a $100 gift card! Each referral will count as one entry and there is no limit on the number of entries for referrers. We will give away two $100 gift cards during the Summit – one drawing for referrers and one drawing for those who were referred. All registrations for the in-person event with a referral listed made until online registration closes on May 1 will be entered. Both the referrer and the person referred must be registered to claim the gift card.
Sponsorship
Show your support for the Alliance’s premier event by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For 2023 sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://animalagalliance.org/
Thank you to our 2023 Summit sponsors: Farm Journal, MEAT + POULTRY, Meatingplace, National Pork Producers Council, Watt Global Media, American Feed Industry Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Board, Smithfield, United Soybean Board, Dairy MAX, Elanco, Farm Credit, Mountaire Farms, United Egg Producers, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Veal Association, Bayer Crop Science, Cal-Maine Foods, Cobb-Vantress, Inc., Filament Marketing, Kemin, National Chicken Council, Progressive Dairy, Protect the Harvest, Trans Ova Genetics, Tyson, Vivayic, Agricultural Modeling and Training Systems, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Eggland’s Best, Live Oak Bank, North Carolina Farm Bureau, and Sustainable Environmental Consultants.
The Alliance also thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, C.O.nxt, Dairy Farmers of America, Diamond V, Genus PLC – PIC/ABS, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America, LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, JBS, Kanas Soybean Commission, Merck Animal Health, Midwest Dairy, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Provimi North America, Inc., and Seaboard Foods.
About the Alliance:
The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
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