Leadership Summit Welcome

Pittsburgh Blue Steakhouse, Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area

Upon arriving in Rochester, Leaders can check into their hotel rooms and then gather for drinks, appetizers and conversation at Pittsburgh Blue on the main floor of the hotel.

Leadership Summit Opening

Michelle Blomberg, CEO AgVantage

Michelle shares insight into the AgVantage culture and changes ahead.

Leading Through Transformation

Sheila G. Neidert, SGN Professional Training

The business world is changing faster than ever, and many organizations are experiencing chronic change fatigue. The distinction between “change” and “transformation” is real, and each requires a very different leadership approach. Transformation calls for more strategic, long-term thinking; flexibility and adaptability; a willingness to take risks and experiment; and a strong emphasis on culture and communication.

Technology for Decision Makers

AgVantage Software Team

Designed for managers and decision-makers, this session highlights key features across Accounting, Grain, Agronomy, and Energy. See how real-time insights and centralized data found within EDGE help you lead more efficiently and make informed decisions.

Customer Panel on Future of Ag Industry

Michelle Blomberg and AgVantage Customers

How these Leaders make decisions for their future. Tom Boland of Skagit Farmers Coop-Skagit WA, Shelly Frasure IT Manager Sunrise Cooperative, and Heath Barnes of Mercer Landmark.

Tour of Rochester

Greater Rochester - Tuesday 2:00-5:00pm

Take part in this group bus tour of Rochester including Mayo Clinic, Soldiers Field, IBM, and ending at AgVantage Software HQ with a “Taste of Rochester” finale. (Registration required)

AgVisors Meeting

Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area - Tuesday 5:30-6:30pm

If you are in the AgVisor Program, plan to attend this AgVisor Meeting. We will have a good discussion about what is happening at AgVantage and how the AgVisor program is working for our customers.

Rooftop Garden Party

Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area 5th Floor - Tuesday 6:30-8:30pm

Join the party as AgVantage kicks off the 2026 National Conference. There will be beverages, apps, dessert on the hotel’s beautiful 5th Floor Rooftop Terrace. Enjoy Clay Fulton music!

National Conference Keynote:
"Past, Present, Future"

Michelle Blomberg, Wednesday Morning

Michelle talks everying “Past, Present and Future” at AgVantage, sharing stories of change, successes and optimism.

The Communication Movement

Keynote Speaker: Erik Therwanger

KKeynote Speaker Erik Therwanger will share his fabulous stories and experience as a business leader, caregiver, and US Marine to help us Achieve Generational Excellence (AGE). Erik will continue with “The Leadership Connection” to coach us through the action plan for building teams that Deliver Exemplary Service.

Honing Your Professional Presence

Sheilaa G. Neidard, SGN Professional Training

Sheila Neidert will help us with “Honing Your Professional Presence”, focusing on the critical role presence plays in communicating competence and creating trust.

Leadership Sessions

Hilton Rochester Mayo Event Space

Beyond the additional presentations and conversations with experts Erik Therwanger and Sheila Neidert, explore the optional POCKT and CRM session with our team of experts, helping you cultivate better connections with your customers.

Honkers Baseball Game

Mayo Field - Wednesday 5:00-9:30pm

Cheer on the Rochester Honkers baseball team - our Northwoods League amateur baseball team at Mayo Field. Watch the game from theRochester Chevrolet Sports Deck on the left field line. Game starts at 6:35 pm, the deck opens at 5:35 pm to enjoy all you can eat and drink through the 7th inning.

“Riding the Waves of Change without Getting Wet” - Panel of Customers

Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area Event Space

Come and hear from some of the best in the business who have navigated changes within their organizations very well – hear their success stories and listen to their advice to manage your own changes.

Culture by Design

Kristen Ireland of People Spark Consulting

Culture By Design- A Practical Approach to Defining and Living Your Culture. Culture doesn’t happen by accident—and it’s not what you say, it’s what you allow. For agricultural business leaders, culture work often feels like something you’ll get to “someday.” But here’s what matters: there’s a strong relationship between employee engagement, employee wellbeing, and business profitability. Research shows they influence each other in significant ways.

Leadership Golf Outing

Enjoy a round of golf with other conference attendees and sponsors. (Available only to attendees of the Leadership Summit.)

Turning the Page to the Next Chapter of Success

Theresa Willems, COO AgVantage Software

Join us as Theresa discusses the challenges of change, embracing the next generation of leadership, and how to be energized, excited and focused on what lies ahead while honoring the past by taking it’s best parts forward.

The Hidden Language of Change: Understanding Emotional Responses to Lead Your Team Through Transition

Kristen Ireland of People Spark Consulting

Kristen will coach us through how to handle changes that occur in our business. When you announce a new system, restructure operations, or shift strategic direction, the logical business case is only half the story. The other half unfolds in the emotional responses of your team—and yourself—that often go unspoken but profoundly impact success.

https://peoplesparkconsulting.com/

"What's Good" Podcast with AgVantage Leaders

Jason, Michelle & Leadership Team

Jason Host Q/A with Michelle and Dennis.