International Sugar Beet Institute returns to Grand Forks on March 11 & 12

By Mike Spieker | The Sugarbeet Grower Magazine

The 58th annual International Sugar Beet Institute returns to the Alerus Center on March 11-12, 2020. Another sold out arena floor is expected with over 100,000 square feet of exhibits, displaying over $20,000,000 worth of products and equipment. 

Doors open at 9:00am on both days. Attendees and exhibitors alike will be treated to free parking, free admission, free breakfast and free lunch on both Wednesday, March 11 and Thursday, March 12. 
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On Wednesday, Dr. Courtney Gaine, president and CEO of the Sugar Association, will be speaking at 11:00am. 

Prior to her current 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.

Scott Herndon, vice president and general counsel of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, will be presenting on Thursday at 11:00am. 

He lobbies Congress on the Farm Bill and all other issues that impact the sugar industry. He also oversees the regulatory issues for the industry, including biotechnology, crop protection, crop insurance, and sustainability initiatives.  He chairs the Ag Biotech Alliance which includes tech providers, biotech commodity associations, the American Farm Bureau Federation, research associations, and seed associations as members. Prior to his work for the ASGA he worked in the orange juice production business started by his great grandfather.  He has also worked in the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. He is licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of the United States, the District of Columbia Bar, and the Florida Bar. He has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law in Coral Gables, Florida.  He also has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Florida and a Bachelors of Arts degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Doors close at 5:00pm on Wednesday and 3:00pm on Thursday. 

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