Outlook 2025

Register Now!

Make plans to join us for the premier event of the year for the apple industry!

Date

August 13-15

Location

Chicago, IL

Register now for Outlook 2025.
Complete the online registration form here.
See who has already registered (as of 7.21.25).
Download the conference program.

Member – Registration Fee | $950
Non-Member – Registration Fee | $1250
Save $100 when you register by August 1.

Not a USApple member? Click here to become a member and save $300 off your conference registration.

Don’t Forget to Buy Your Cruise Ticket
Dinner Cruise Ticket: $80 (Ticket Value = $180)
Join us for Wednesday Night’s Welcome Reception aboard The Spirit of Chicago. Ticket includes cruise on Lake Michigan, dinner, drinks, music/dancing, and fireworks. Be sure to purchase your ticket when you register for the conference or email jallen@usapple.org. Space is limited. 

Dinner Cruise Sponsored by Storage Control Systems and Valent BioSciences
Transportation Sponsored by Charles & Alice, Inc.

Download the conference schedule.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12
All Day
Core Connect Business Meetings

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13
All Day
Core Connect Business Meetings

5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Welcome Reception Dinner Cruise | The Spirit of Chicago, Navy Pier
(Tickets must be purchased in advance. Space is limited. Email jallen@usapple.org to purchase a ticket.)
Dinner Cruise Sponsored by Storage Control Systems and Valent BioSciences
Transportation Sponsored by Charles & Alice, Inc.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 14
All Day
Core Connect Business Meetings

9:00 am
Registration Opens

10:00 am – 11:30 am
USApplePAC Brunch (separate ticket required / download invitationmake donation here)
Tom Bevan, Co-founder and Executive Editor, RealClearPolitics

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Welcome Lunch
Sponsored by AgWest Farm Credit, Aweta, Farm Credit East, TekniPlex

12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
General Session I

Welcome & Opening Remarks
Jim Bair, President & CEO, USApple

Fireside Chat with H-E-B
David P. Figliola, Senior Director, Produce, H-E-B
Kristen Walla, Business Development Manager, Produce, H-E-B

The Squeeze is On: Navigating Consumer Expectations in Fresh and Processed Apples
Tom Barnes, Chief Executive Officer, Category Partners, LLC

The View From the Potomac
Diane Kurrle, Sr. Vice President, USApple

Networking Break
Coffee Sponsored by Knouse Foods Cooperative, Inc.
Snacks Sponsored by BASF

Cut, Crushed and Concentrated: The Evolving Market for Apple-Based Products
Mike Auvil, Vice President of Raw Procurement, Crunch Pak
Luca DaPonte, Vice President, Hosh International LLC
John Halverson, Purchasing Category Director – Apples, GoGo SqueeZ

Industry Outlook & Global Crop Report
Chris Gerlach, Vice President, Insights & Analytics, USApple

Data as Medicine: Addressing Pain Points in Apple Supply Chains
Bradford Warner, AgroFresh, Executive Director of Digital and Data Business

Apple Person of the Year Award
The Packer

4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
U.S. Regional Apple Crop Discussions & District Director Elections

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Happy Hour
Sponsored by GoGo SqueeZ and Marsh McClennan Agency

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15
All Day
Core Connect Business Meetings

8:00 am
Breakfast
Sponsored by Tiverton and Vivid Machines

8:30 am – 12:00 pm
General Session II

USApple State of the Industry & Annual Business Meeting
Brett Baker, Chair, USApple Board of Directors

Approaching Risk Management with a Different Lens
Brendan Riley, Sr Risk Control Specialist, Business Insurance, Marsh McClennan Agency
Jake Teeter, Sr Risk Control Specialist, Business Insurance, Marsh McClennan Agency
Stacy Young, Sales Executive, Agribusiness and Construction Specialty Practice, Marsh McClennan Agency

CHARTING A PATH TO ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
Block-Level Accounting for Breaking Even
Karina Gallardo, Extension Economist, Washington State University

Turning the Tide: How Today’s Struggles Will Redefine Tomorrow’s Orchards
West Mathison, President, Stemilt Growers Inc.
Welcome Sauer, Retired Agriculture Executive

Networking Break
Sponsored by Rahal Fruits & Flavors and USI Insurance Services

Current Economic Conditions and Outlook
David Oppedahl, Policy Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

USApple Forecast
Chris Gerlach, Vice President, Insights & Analytics, USApple

12:00 pm
Conference Adjourns

The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
160 E Pearson St.
Chicago, IL 60611

The discounted group block is SOLD OUT at The Ritz. 

Here are a few hotels within walking distance.
The Westin  (Marriott)
The Drake (Hilton)
Hilton Magnificent Mile

SPEAKERS

David Figliola

Senior Director, Produce

H-E-B

Kristen Walla

Business Development Manager, Produce

H-E-B

Tom Barnes

President & CEO

Category Partners, LLC

Chris Gerlach

Vice President, Insights and Analytics

U.S. Apple Association

Diane Kurrle

Senior Vice President

U.S. Apple Association

Karina Gallardo

Professor / Extension Economist

Washington State University

West Mathison

President

Stemilt Growers LLC

David Oppedahl

Policy Advisor

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

David Figliola

Senior Director, Produce

H-E-B

Kristen Walla

Business Development Manager, Produce

H-E-B

Tom Barnes

President & CEO

Category Partners, LLC

Chris Gerlach

Vice President, Insights and Analytics

U.S. Apple Association

Diane Kurrle

Senior Vice President

U.S. Apple Association

Karina Gallardo

Professor / Extension Economist

Washington State University

West Mathison

President

Stemilt Growers LLC

David Oppedahl

Policy Advisor

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

PANELISTS

Mike Auvil

Vice President of Raw Procurement

Crunch Pak

Luca Da Ponte

Vice President

Hosh International LLC

John Halverson

Purchasing Category Director – Apples

GoGo SqueeZ – Bel Group

Brendan Riley

Sr Risk Control Specialist, Business Insurance

Marsh McLennan Agency

Jake Teeter

Sr Risk Control Specialist, Business Insurance

Marsh McLennan Agency

Stacy Young

Sales Executive, Agribusiness and Construction Specialty Practice

Marsh McLennan Agency

Mike Auvil

Vice President of Raw Procurement

Crunch Pak

Luca Da Ponte

Vice President

Hosh International LLC

John Halverson

Purchasing Category Director – Apples

GoGo SqueeZ – Bel Group

Brendan Riley

Sr Risk Control Specialist, Business Insurance

Marsh McLennan Agency

Jake Teeter

Sr Risk Control Specialist, Business Insurance

Marsh McLennan Agency

Stacy Young

Sales Executive, Agribusiness and Construction Specialty Practice

Marsh McLennan Agency

Again this year, we’re helping registered Outlook 2025 attendees find, message and meet onsite with other attendees using the Core Connect networking platform:

  • Core Connect is only available to registered Outlook attendees (you will receive a separate email with unique profile link)
  • Profile-matching helps identify prospective business partners
  • Scheduling tools make it easy to find mutually available times to meet at the onsite location of your choice during the entire week of Outlook 2024 (August 12 – 16)
  • Your contact information is kept confidential unless you decide to share it
  • The Outlook 2025 events schedule is included in the platform for easy reference
  • Email support@thewymancompany.com if you need any assistance with creating your profile

Please contact Beth Sheahan at bsheahan@thewymancompany.com for more information.

Thank You Sponsors

GOLD