By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist

All eyes will be on Texas when the 2018 World Meat Congress (WMC) returns to the United States for the first time in more than 20 years later this month.

WMC, hosted by the International Meat Secretariat (IMS) and the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), is the premier gathering of the world’s beef, pork, lamb and veal leaders.

The event is scheduled in Dallas from May 30-June 1.

“The IMS is composed of representatives of about 30 countries, sharing information about how the industry can work together to be more trade-progressive,” Philip Seng, president emeritus of USMEF, said. “At the WMC, we expect to discuss and debate critical, timely issues related to globalization and economics, as well as the evolving priorities of our customers and how the red meat industry can better meet the needs of the consumer of tomorrow.”

Seng said the WMC will include ranchers, exporters and marketing specialists, among others who represent the entire meat infrastructure.

The WMC will feature speakers from around the world, representing meat industry leading companies and organizations from Europe, China and the United States.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is set to open the event.

“We are very excited to have Secretary Perdue on the agenda, because he is such a strong advocate for U.S. producers and a true champion for international trade,” Seng said.

The economic outlook and changes affecting the world’s meat trade will also be discussed during the three-day event.

USMEF is sponsoring the WMC for the first time in 23 years. It was last held in the United States in 1995 in Denver.

Nashville was the first U.S. host in 1983.

“One of the advantages of hosting the WMC is that it provides an opportunity to showcase the U.S. agricultural model for industry leaders from across the globe,” Seng said.

The opportunity for Texas to host the WMC is representative of the United States’ push to promote the quality and safety of its products. The goal for Texas during this event will be to showcase the uniqueness of the state and what Texas farmers and ranchers are able to produce, Seng said.

For more information, including a preliminary agenda and registration details, visit www.2018wmc.com.