Registration open for 2021 IFB Annual Meeting

By Tammie Sloup

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Illinois Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting is moving forward with a hybrid model this year.

Plans are underway for conference- goers to return to downtown Chicago’s Palmer House, Dec. 4-7. Those unable to attend in person can watch events virtually.

Saturday night’s program, which includes President Richard Guebert Jr.’s address, county awards and an update from American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall, will be livestreamed. So will the Sunday morning general session and the business meeting Monday.

All delegates and alternates will be required to attend in person to vote.

Donna Gallivan, IFB’s conference and program manager, said IFB will follow CDC guidelines as well as those being implemented by the hotel when it comes to masks and social distancing.

Last year’s virtual conference served as a learning experience for organizers, Gallivan said. About 880 members and employees attended the meeting virtually.

“We learned a lot in a short amount of time,” she said. “We feel like we’re in a much better spot this time.”

Attendees who want to dine out should go online or call ahead to area restaurants as many have updated hours. A grab-and-go option is available at the Palmer House in addition to an in-house restaurant.

IFB also will provide dinners prepared by hotel staff Saturday and Sunday, but members must preregister for the meals. Lunch also will be served on the delegate floor Monday and other snacks will be available throughout the conference.

Registration for the conference runs Oct. 1 to Nov. 1, and members should contact their local Farm Bureau to register.

This story was provided by FarmWeekNow.com.

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