- Event features industry leaders from the agriculture,
protein, food, fertilizer, retail distribution, restaurant and
supermarket sectors
NEW YORK, May 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - BMO Capital Markets
hosts its 12th annual Farm to Market Conference on
May 17-18 in New York City. The conference brings together
industry leaders in the agriculture, food retail, restaurant and
farm input sectors, as well as global institutional investors in
these industries. Whether it is global trade, technology, food
deflation, labor or the new Trump administration, global trends
impacting these industries are shaping the future of the
agriculture, food retail and restaurant industries.
"As we move through this year, the overarching theme is be
prepared for unprecedented and unpredictable change on the horizon.
In contrast to past years, companies face a 'wait and see'
environment where we are on cusp of potentially monumental changes
on economic, trade, and fiscal policies," said Ken Zaslow, Food and Agriculture Analyst with
BMO Capital Markets. "So after all these years of working to
improve their business models and with new leadership at many
companies, we believe these business models will be tested and
required to adapt without any warning.
"With the importance of global trade and these potential
changes, companies across the entire food value chain continue to
make a concerted effort to invest and reengineer their business
models to strengthen their long-term growth profiles and reduce
volatility."
Mr. Ken Zaslow, Food and
Agriculture Analyst, will co-host the conference with Food and
Beverage Analyst Amit Sharma, Food
Retailing and Distribution Analyst Kelly
Bania, Restaurants Analyst Andrew
Strelzik, Fertilizer Analyst Joel
Jackson and Pharmaceuticals Analyst Alex Arfaei.
"Right now, companies and investors are in an education process
as they try to prepare for change from tax to trade policy. This
conference provides a timely exchange for ideas where market
leaders examine the potential challenges and opportunities they
could face in addition to responding to the ongoing secular shifts
occurring with U.S. consumers," said Kelly
Bania, Food Retailing and Distribution Analyst, BMO Capital
Markets.
While global trade, tax policy and food deflation are discussed
widely by participating companies, for the restaurant industry, the
changing expectations of customers and how to compete effectively
are key topics.
"The drivers of restaurant visits are evolving, forcing
companies to re-think strategic priorities. For restaurants
to continue to compete and grow, technology, operations, service
and messaging are paramount. But investing behind those
important factors creates uncertainties about companies' margin
outlook. Investors at our conference will be examining the
potential impacts," said Andrew
Strelzik, Restaurants Analyst.
On Thursday, May 18, a keynote
discussion with former U.S. Trade Representative Michael
Froman provides a comprehensive overview of current global trade
policy, highlighting his firsthand experience negotiating trade
agreements, developing US trade policy and dealing with global
relations.
"This keynote could not be more timely," said Mr. Zaslow. "As
businesses and investors from across the food and agriculture
sectors look ahead, the future global trade landscape is more
uncertain than ever."
Senior executives from more than 90 leading agriculture,
fertilizer, food, beverage, restaurant and retail companies will
discuss leading industry trends. Company participants include:
- Agrium (AGU)
- Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
- Bunge (BG)
- CF Industries (CF)
- Denny's (DENN)
- Ingredion (INGR)
- Noodles & Company (NDLS)
- Pilgrims' Pride (PPC)
- Potash Corp. (POT)
- Snyder's – Lance (LNCE)
- SunOpta (STKL)
- Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM)
- Sysco (SYY)
- Tyson Foods (TSN)
About BMO Capital Markets
BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service North American
financial services provider. With more than 2,300 employees
operating in 28 locations, including 15 in North America, BMO Capital Markets offers
corporate, institutional and government clients access to a
complete range of investment and corporate banking products and
services. BMO Capital Markets is a member of BMO Financial Group
(NYSE:BMO)(TSX:BMO), One of the largest diversified financial
services providers in North
America, with total assets of $699
billion as of January 31,
2016, and close to 47,000 employees.
Media Contacts:
Mallory Micetich, New York
(212)-499-5808
Mallory.micetich@bmo.com
Internet: www.bmo.com
Twitter: @BMOMedia
SOURCE BMO Financial Group