Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
Every year, there’s one moment when the grain industry and grain processing industry comes together, not just to do business, but to learn, connect, and move the industry forward. That moment is GEAPS Exchange. In this episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, we’re dedicating the entire conversation to the premier event in the grain and grain processing industry, GEAPS Exchange 2026. Coming up February 21st through the 24th in Kansas City, this isn’t just a trade show. It’s education, innovation, workforce, development, and community all in one place. I’m joined by Bob Horvat, president of the GEAPS International Board of Directors, Manufacturing Tech Lead at Cargill, and a longtime GEAPS member and volunteer leader. Together we’ll explore why GEAPS Exchange exists, who it’s for and how attendees from first-timers to seasoned veterans can get the most value from their experience. And just like recent episodes, we’ll wrap up with reflecting questions. You can use with your team to turn this conversation into action and facilitate. Stay tuned. Hello and welcome to the show. Welcome to the Whole Grain Podcast. Your host and director of global education and training at GEAPS, where the mission of the Grain Elevator and Processing Society is to champion, connect, and serve the global grain industry and our members. Today’s episode is a little different. It’s very intentional. We’re focusing entirely on GEAPS Exchange 2026, the one time each year when the grain community gathers in one place to learn, connect, and solve real-world challenges together. From the expo hall and innovation stations to education sessions, networking events, and the relationships that last long after the show ends, this episode will help you understand why GEAPS Exchange matters and how to make it work for you. All that and more coming up next. I’m joined by a terrific guest, Bob Horvat. Bob is president of the GEAPS International Board of Directors. Thank you so much for making this episode of the GEAPS Whole Grain Podcast so special and sharing your insights with our listeners.
Speaker:
Jim, thank you. I have always enjoyed listening to the Whole Grain Podcast since you started this a couple years ago, and I’m honored to be a guest. It’s my first time, and this will be a lot of fun. It’s early January and we’re all coming out of the holiday break. Momentum for Exchange is really starting to build now, and so it’s it’s a really exciting new time of year for GEAPS.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
Now, Bob, let’s start with the big picture. When someone asks about GEAPS Exchange and why it exists, how do you answer that?
Speaker:
Yeah, sure. Big picture. So let’s look at the GEAPS mission statement, which is GEAPS champions, connects, and serves the global grain industry and its members. So in essence, GEAPS, we are the global grain community. And exchange is where the global grain community comes together to show that agriculture matters, relationships matter, and knowledge matters. So that’s it, Jim. If you want a big picture, it’s where the grain community comes together.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
From a board and member perspective, why does exchange matter?
Speaker:
Sure, sure. I’ll uh maybe I’ll take each perspective, take a little different tact on each one. So first from a member perspective. Of course, GEAPS is more than than just Exchange. Throughout the year, GEAPS’ members gather together in person for various regional events like chapter meetings, maintenance days, golf outings. Golf outings are one of the most popular activities uh within GEAPS, especially during the summertime. And we also gather together virtually for webinars, distance education courses, and and so forth. But exchange is that one time of year where all GEAPS members have the opportunity to gather together at the same place at the same time. We can meet new people, connect with old friends, and learn from each other. The popularity of Exchange proves that meeting face to face is still a very important format.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
All right, and from a board perspective then?
Speaker:
Sure, from a board’s perspective. You know, roughly half of our GEAPS members are what we can classify as associates. Associates are the members that that supply products, materials, and services to the grain and grain processing industry. The GEAPS associates invest lots of time, dollars, and and and resources to GEAPS Exchange and to GEAPS in general throughout the year. Um Exchange is a big opportunity for them to showcase themselves, to thank customers, and connect with new potential customers. So it’s really, really important that we have a well-organized, first class, world-class event for those associates since they contribute so much to GEAPS throughout the year.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
Like a lot of people, they keep coming back to Exchange year after year. For you personally, what does Exchange mean to you?
Speaker:
Exchange always reminds me how large the grain and grain processing industry is and the opportunities that are out there for careers. So when I’m on the expo floor hall and I look around and I see thousands of people, I’m just reminded that they’re all there because of the grain industry. They all have good careers, good paying jobs, great opportunities because of this industry. And it’s not just our individual jobs. Each job supports a family, it supports local communities, which then support small businesses. So it’s really a broad universe that is impacted by the grain industry. The work of feeding and fueling the world is never going to end. We always need to eat. It’ll never go away. There’s there’s great opportunities there. But of course, it will evolve over time and change. And Exchange is the place to learn and discuss how those changes uh impact the world and and each of us individually. Also, I get reminded that relationships matter. Business is never just transactional. Sure, that’s that is that’s part of business, of course. But it’s it’s the folks you meet at Exchange, or those are the folks that you can reach out to day to day when you need help solving a problem, you need some advice, maybe you need to buy a spare part from them, or you maybe you just need somebody to talk to. Those are the folks that you meet at Exchange, and those are the contacts you make. So that’s what Exchange means to me, Jim. There’s there’s two things opportunities and relationships.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
Absolutely. I think that’s a common thread I hear from folks as well who’ve attended that event. We’ll be right back after a message from today’s sponsor. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Interstates offers electrical construction, electrical engineering, and control system solutions. For over 70 years, they have tackled complex challenges and developed innovative solutions for grain handling facilities around the country. Interstates brings their clients a wide-breadth of experience in the grains industry from greenfield builds to supporting for existing facilities, including upgrades, service calls, and ongoing maintenance. They do what it takes to deliver your project on schedule, on budget, and on target with your needs. Visit them at the GEAPS Exchange Booth 1011 or contact them today at interstates.com. Now, just to inform listeners a little bit, can you describe the value for operations, maintenance, safety, and processing? And really there are five tracks that are involved with exchange.
Speaker:
Yes, uh that’s correct. Yes, the Expo Hall has something, uh really it’ll have something for everybody. But the education sessions and innovation stations uh have been grouped into five tracks, which are processing, maintenance, green operations, safety, and employee development, which is is really about really relevant revolves around leadership. Attendees can just focus on on one track, maybe the one that they’re most associated with on their on their daily roles or maybe the role they would like to have, or they can sample from all of them. It’s it’s very flexible. You you know, you you choose your own path here. Across the three days of Exchange, there are multiple sessions with within each track. So every day there’s something for everybody.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
Yeah, I think a lot of people take advantage of all the different offerings we have there. I think what’s interesting is what happens when they return home. How does Exchange help people after they return home from the event?
Speaker:
There’s there’s really several things that that come to mind there, Jim. First off, is enthusiasm will follow you home. You’ll feel energized about your work and about the industry in general, and and you should be more motivated in your role, in your day-to-day role. You also bring back new ideas, ideas that can make the job place safer, more efficient, maybe a new product, a new service, uh a new service provider. Things that you can bring to your supervisor and say, hey, look, look what I learned. We should think about this. Companies are always looking to innovate and grow and get better and be more efficient. Well, efficiency is a huge word these days. So they’re gonna love that when you come back with some new ideas. You’ll also retain knowledge of what you learned on the show floor, or the education sessions, or the live innovation stations. Maybe most importantly of all is you’ll make connections. Again, you’ll know who to call when you need assistance, or you have questions during your day-to-day job.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
That’s a great summary, Bob. New knowledge gained, great insights, you’re making some connections. Uh, the grain industry feels smaller, and you come out enthused. Uh, you’re enthused when you’re there, and it’s a great way to support yourself and your personal professional development, and of course, support your organization, the grain industry as a whole. Now let’s look at education at exchange. Tell our listeners what opportunities exist. What does it really look like at Exchange?
Speaker:
No, education Exchange will come in several different formats and just cover those here. You know, first you’re gonna have, of course, your traditional classroom style. I’ll call them lectures where there are presenters on stage. They’ll give a presentation, they’ll take questions from the audience. Uh, you know, traditional learning format. Those sessions are, if we remember the schedule, if I remember correctly, this year they’re gonna be held on Mondays and Tuesday mornings of exchange prior to the expo hall opening. So it doesn’t compete with the Expo Hall, it’s prior to the Expo Hall opening. Another learning format we have is what we call our innovation stations, and those are located on the Expo Hall floor, and most will have a demonstration that goes along with a presentation or a lecture. Uh, these these occur throughout the day. And like I said, they’re right on the Expo Hall floor. We also will have a few interactive or or hands-on learning opportunities. We’ll have a uh a grain bin rescue and safety demonstration. Um so that’ll that’ll focus on the risks of grain engulfment in like let’s say uh inside if you were engulfed in grain inside a storage bin, uh, along with rescue and and prevention practices. And and this is a live demo, so you you know they’re gonna they’re gonna look for people out of the audience. You can go up there, you can you know, they’ll help you, there’ll be people there. It’s a controlled environment, so it’s of course it’s safe, but you can become uh you’ll you’ll feel somewhat feel like you would if you were becoming engulfed in grain, and then they’ll demonstrate how to how the people are rescued from a grain engulfment. And we also have a few interactive or hands-on learning opportunities, uh, which will also be out on the Expo Hall floor. Uh, one of those will be a grain rescue and safety demonstration. Uh so this will focus on the risks of grain engulfment along with rescue and prevention practices. You’ll get a chance to actually do this hands-on. They’ll look for volunteers from the audience. You can go up on the display and uh get harnessed up and and they’ll they’ll uh semi-engulf you in grain. It’ll be very safe. It’s under a controlled environment. Um, but but you’ll you’ll get the feel for what it’s like to be engulfed in grain, and then they’ll demonstrate rescue techniques. It’s very powerful. And a new one this year is uh it’s a play on words. It’s what could go wrong with the demonstration trailer. This is gonna be an interesting one. Like I said, it’s new. I’m interested in in uh seeing this one myself, but it’s gonna examine the hazards of working near live electrical lights. We haven’t had that before. Another, another, another significant hazard that we see in the in the workplace. Uh as I mentioned, there’s five education tracks processing, maintenance, grain operations, uh, safety, and employee development.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
These are all really rich, diverse, and have different points of delivery for education, as you stated. And so it is really an exciting experience just for education. Some of those things are in the trade show floor on the expo hall. And you you’ve seen this too. When you watch people come up the escalator for the first time and the expo hall floor, it really is amazing. It’s fun to see their reactions from this. So if you could give our listeners, maybe who haven’t attended this event before, how should they approach the expo hall if they’re a first timer, or even for those who are returning attendees as well.
Speaker:
Oh, sure. So I would tell everybody sign up for the full conference, the whole package, and plan ahead. For first timers, uh go to as many events as possible. Get a flavor for it, get a feel for it, see what Jeeps is all about, but just you get the opportunity to be there. So take it all in. Start with the first timers reception and the get acquainted party, which are both on Saturday evening. And then don’t miss, there’s a keynote speaker on Sunday morning, which is it’s prior to the Expo Hall opening. So if you won’t have anything else to do, so come to the keynote speaker. It’s it’s very motivational. The speakers are always great every year. I think we have a I forget the gentleman’s name this year, but he’s a he’s a uh fighter pilot top gun style guy. So I’m it’s gonna be great, I’m sure. Uh, I’m sure he’ll be a very disciplined and give a great presentation.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
Captain Jack Becker is his name.
Speaker:
And it’ll be a great way to kick off exchange prior to the Expo Hall opening. With 400 plus exhibitors on Expo Hall, you know, it will be overwhelming without some pre-planning. So before you arrive, I I highly recommend you get on the Geaps.com website. You can download the Expo Hall floor map, and then you can kind of plan out a walking route. And each different uh exhibitor or booth or innovation station is listed on there, so you can you can kind of plan it out, maybe highlight who you want to talk to. It’ll just help you and then bring a good pair of shoes. Also, Jeeps feeds you so you don’t have to leave the Expo Hall during the late day. You don’t have to worry about it. There’s lunch, lunch, and refreshments will be served each day. And then for returning attendees, I’d recommend the same things, but I’d also recommend or challenge you to talk to someone you don’t know. It’s it’s really natural for for you or all of us. We’re gonna go to our friends, the folks we work with all the time, and I’m gonna do that, of course, spend some time with those folks. I don’t I don’t get to see them face to face that often. I email them, we text each other, we talk on the phone, but seeing them face to face is is special. So of course I’m gonna go visit those folks. But also remember you’re there to learn. So visit some new folks. Visit three, four, five, six new places, get some new ideas. I guarantee it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been there, there’s going to be something new. So make sure you keep learning, keep progressing in your career.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
We’ll be right back after a message from today’s sponsor. IBT Industrial Solutions has been your expert and product support partner in the grain industry for over 75 years. Based on the hard problem to keep your business running. It’s a one-stop shop for products and services, ranging from motion amplification to conveyance solutions. They also stock product infectors over 1200 suppliers. Available 3782. IBT solutions 2702. Go to IBT.com slash green. IBT Industrial Solutions. Absolutely, it all makes sense. A lot of vendors and suppliers are to help you with questions and projects that are going on or uh we’ll work on in the future. There’s more to that than just education and checking out with vendors. It’s about making a connection, like you said before. We have a lot of community and special events. I mean, Exchange is known for its energy and community. It’s about making the global industry feel smaller and more connected. And outside of the 45 hours of education, the 400 plus vendors and suppliers from the industry and the trade show floor. What are some additional exciting opportunities that Cheeps creates to make people feel welcome and to say, this is your extended grain industry family? I mean, how does GEAPS create a sense of community and collaboration at Exchange?
Speaker:
I mentioned a little bit earlier that uh relationships matter, and and this proves it with a number of events uh uh just dedicated to to networking and socializing. That that’s a big reason that that people go to exchange, a big reason by people want to return to Exchange. Uh let me I’ll just highlight a couple of those. We have our first timer, an international attendee mixer, we call it. So that’s that’s Saturday evening. It’s prior to the Get Acquainted Party. It’s the the mixers are just a smaller, more intimate gathering where uh attendees, first timers, international attendees can be greeted and mingle with GEAPS, volunteer leaders and staff. It’s it’s a really nice time. That’s followed by the Get Acquainted Party. So this is one that that everybody should attend. So if you go to an exchange, you should go to this one. Very popular, held on Saturday evening prior to exchange. This year it’s gonna be held off-site, meaning it’s not at the Expo Hall, so it’s off-site. It will become at the uh J Rieger and Company Distillery. I’ve I’ve never been there before. It’s a historic distillery in Kansas City. Looks like a really classy venue that we can hardly wait to visit. Uh, we’ll have food, beverages, tours, and other activities. And uh, Jim, I believe there’s transportation to and from from the uh, let’s say the host hotels near the Expo Hall.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
Yes, that’s correct.
Speaker:
There are another event that’ll be held is the welcome reception. So this is actually in the Expo Hall, and it’s at the end of the first day, which is Sunday. You can enjoy appetizers and beverages while you while you continue visiting the booths. It’s kind of a great way to celebrate the first day of exchange. On Sunday morning at 6 a.m., there’s uh going to be a fun run and run walk. On Sunday morning at 6 a.m., there’s what we call the fun run slash walk. Now I guarantee you this will have the lowest turnout of any event at exchange uh given the time, but it has the most dedicated attendees, guarantee you, and and the fittest. So it’s it’s a 5k route through downtown Kansas City. You know, the locking route might be a little shorter than that. I’m not sure I’m up for the 5k, but I’ll be down there to greet everybody right and early, Sunday morning, 6 a.m. with a cup of coffee.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
And then don’t forget about the cornhole tournament. That’s actually a big event, been very popular, uh friendly little competition right there on the expo hall.
Speaker:
That’s right, Jim. Yes, the cornhole event or or bags. We can we can debate that. I guess it depends depends where you’re at regionally. So another fun thing to do. But yes, the the Jeeps members can form teams and a and a tournament takes place like as you mentioned on the expo hall floor. I’ve watched some of these participants, and when they’re not at work, I know what they’re doing. They’re throwing bags, playing cornhole because some of these folks are awfully good. But it’s it’s everybody’s welcome. So whether you’re whether you’re great or not, join in the fun.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
That’s fantastic. We also have grain merchandisers network event. Tell us about that.
Speaker:
Yeah, something new. Uh, it’ll be a reception held on the Expo Hall floor at the Expo Lounge Sunday afternoon. Now, you know, Jeeps historically is focused on grain or operations, um, but there are so many other layers and functions to the grain industry, and and grain merchandising is just integral to everything. So we know that merchants attend exchange, and so this year we’re having a gathering for the merchants. They can kind of meet and mingle, compare notes, and discuss the industry in general. By the way, the schedule and the location and other details for all of these events can be found under GEAPS.com under the uh GEAPS Exchange link.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
And then closing out the event, we have the popular music bingo. It’s been going on for a couple years. This is our third year with that. It’s been a big hit, and a lot of our vendors and suppliers have helped with that with all great prizes. And if any vendors and suppliers are listening to this episode, we certainly appreciate any prizes that you may want to donate for that big event. Tell us some more about that.
Speaker:
Music bingo, as you said, third year in a row. It’s it’s growing. I think it’s around to stay. It just seems like a great time for people to to kind of exhale the you know the work is done. Exchange is closed and let’s just have some fun. And who doesn’t like bingo and music? What a great combination. And just a great way to round out the week.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
No. People are asking is it for me who should attend and how do they get the most value?
Speaker:
Well the answer is everybody should attend. Exchange is built for everyone whether it’s your first time or your 31st time or something for everyone for every job function and wherever you’re at in your career.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
And how should one plan ahead and get maximum value from attending exchange is is already a value.
Speaker:
It really is an all access pass for if you’re a Jeep member is $450 and and and I said all access so that’s all of the events the get equated party the keynote speech speech the um you know the expo hall everything $450 for a GEAPS member $680 for for a non-member my recommendation is become a Jeep member because the first year Jeeps membership is $250 then you can register for exchange for $450. Almost make up that that cost difference between the the uh exchange entry fee for a non-member and a member so so why not become a GEAPS member for a year we’d love to have you we want to what we want to do is convince you to remain a GEAPS member so um to become a GEAPS member get a discount. It’s a double benefit early bird registration end January 27 I’d also recommend you pre-register there or you can register on site but it’s just so much easier to register online get all that stuff out of the way and then you have a really short you know couple minutes registration and you don’t have to wait in line when you when you get to the event you can you can head right in. As we have already discussed you you get what you put into this so if you’re going to invest the time and the resources to get down to Kansas City and attend event put some time invest some time in it and plan your days prior to arriving at the show.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
Thank you so much it’s been great to get uh listeners who have not heard about Exchange get them some more information it’d been great any closing thoughts Bob any calls to action yeah I do have a closing thought Jim I’ve been in this industry a long time and really from from from day one I felt it was a very friendly industry.
Speaker:
People really truly trying to help me and support me. Yes many of us are competitors and you know we compete vigorously some of us trade employees back and forth and and you know that’s all okay that’s business that’s how it works that’s that’s life. But we also look for out for each other we help each other develop our careers and our leadership skills. When you attend Exchange you’ll feel that you’ll feel that friendly atmosphere from the time you walk in the door to the time you leave. And that’s what GIS is all about and I know if you attend you’ll feel the same way. So I’m I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone in in Kansas City at the end of February. We’ve got 400 plus exhibitors over 45 hours of top notch education. We’re aiming the top 4000 attendees we we almost did it last year we’re gonna do it this year. This is gonna be the year exchange 2026 will be bigger than better. It’s it’s a premier event for the grain and grain processing industry you’ll you’ll see you don’t want to miss it.
Jim Lenz, GEAPS (Host):
It’s first class it’s world class great thoughts there again it’s Geaps.com forward slash exchange you can check out the schedule you can check out the speakers types of attendees or exhibitors and the different things you can register for as Bob just alluded to again it’s February 21st through the 24th of 2026 in Kansas City Convention Center. So I encourage you and your team to register and find out more information. Bob you’ve been such a great contributor to the grain industry as a whole obviously to your organization as well but to GEAPS from helping questions that come in obviously with your role on the board and with committees with course development you’ve been fantastic and it’s an honor to get to know someone of your professional talent and have great respect for you and it’s so nice to have you as a guest finally here on the Chiefs whole grain podcast. That wraps up today’s episode of the GEAPS Whole Grain Podcast. A big thank you to Bob Horvat, president of the GEAPS International Board of Directors for joining us and sharing his perspective on why GEAPS Exchange continues to matter to members, to the industry and to the future of grain and grain processing. As we heard today GEAPS Exchange is far more than a trade show it’s where education meets innovation, where problems get solved, careers grow, and the global grain community comes together face to face, whether you work in operations, maintenance, safety, processing, leadership, or supply and service Exchange is designed to deliver real value you can take home and apply. Before we close I’d like to leave you with a few reflection questions and encourage you to discuss them with your team. How could attending GEAPS Exchange help you or your team solve a current challenge at your facility? Which education tracks, processing maintenance, grain operation, safety or employee development would bring the most immediate value to your role? Who on your team would benefit most from the connections and learning opportunities at Exchange? And finally, what steps can you take now to plan ahead and make the most of your time in Kansas City? Remember GEAPS offers year-round resources to support your growth including online and on-demand courses, hands-on training programs, a searchable library of 200 plus industry videos, webinars that are interactive a globally recognized credentialing program, a digital green gloss rate, local chapters, and our next generation path program for interns and early career professionals. And of course don’t miss GEAPS Exchange 2026 February 21st through the 24th at the Kansas City Convention Center with 400 plus exhibitors 45 hours of education innovation stations and unmatched networking it’s the premier event for grain and grain processing industry. Visit GEAPS.com that’s G E A P S dot com to learn more, register and start planning your experience. I’m Jim Lenz, Director of Global Education Training at GEAPS thanks for listening and until next time, keep feeding fueling and clothing the world
