GEAPS provides a series of webinars throughout the year. Presented by industry experts, these interactive webinars are designed with grain industry professional in mind—about topics you care about.
We welcome you to join us for these webinars to learn, ask questions and connect with the presenter and others.
Interested in sponsoring a webinar? Learn more
Upcoming Webinars
Preventing Dust Explosions: Equipment Maintenance, Critical Control Equipment, and Housekeeping
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Central
Grain dust explosions can result in loss of life, severe injury, property damage, and business interruption. This fast-paced, 30-minute webinar will take a deep dive into the OSHA requirements for equipment maintenance, critical control equipment (hazard monitoring), and housekeeping.
Meet the Speaker
Joe Mlynek
Safety Made Simple, LLC.
Joe is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Environmental Policy and Analysis. He began his safety career in 1996 and has worked in the manufacturing, construction, agriculture, processing, and maritime industries. Joe holds certifications as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and an Occupational Health and Safety Technician (OHST) through The Bureau of Certified Safety Professionals. He is also an active member of the National Grain and Feed Association, Grain Elevator and Processing Society, Ohio Risk Coordinators, National Fire Protection Association, and American Society of Safety Professionals. Joe is also a safety columnist for Grain Journal.
Joe is currently an independent safety consultant as well as a partner and subject matter expert for Safety Made Simple, LLC. Safety Made Simple provides online training courses specific to grain-handling, livestock, agronomy, food safety, general industry, construction, and driver safety as well as equipment maintenance, and human resource development.
Western Canada Grain Handling Transportation Review
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
12:00 – 12:45 p.m. Central
Are you ready to explore the exciting world of grain handling and transportation in Western Canada? Join us for an informative and engaging webinar led by Mark Hemmes, the President of Quorum Corporation.
Canada’s agriculture sector has been driving its economy and making the country one of the largest global players in the grain industry. With grain commodity export market growing by 3% every year for the last 8 years, Canada’s grain exports have been steadily increasing. In 2010, Western Canada exported 63 million tons of grain. In 2022, Canada exported 80 million tons of grain, and it’s projected to reach 100 million tons in the next 5-8 years.
However, with the growing demand for grain handling and processing, Canada is seeing bottlenecks and congestion. The existing infrastructure and processes may not be equipped to handle the expected demand. This is where the Western Canada Grain Handling Transportation Review comes into play.
Mark Hemmes and his team at Quorum Corporation are responsible for monitoring Canada’s Prairie Grain Handling and Transportation System on behalf of Transport Canada and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. They have been keeping a close eye on the infrastructure and processes in Western Canada and will provide insights on how the system is currently operating and how it may need to change to meet the future demand.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to learn about the challenges and opportunities in the Western Canada grain transportation industry. Join us for this exciting webinar and gain valuable insights from an industry expert!
Meet the Speaker
Mark Hemmes
Quorum Corporation
Mark Hemmes is President of Quorum Corporation, an independent subsidiary of the Quorum Group of Companies, of which he is a founding partner. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Quorum Corporation has been responsible for monitoring Canada’s Prairie Grain Handling and Transportation System on behalf Transport Canada and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada since June 2001. Quorum reports to the Government and industry on changes in the efficiency, reliability, structure and operation of the grain handling and transportation system as well as the impacts these changes have on producers. Quorum and its sister companies have also completed studies related to container movements, transloaders, and the role of inland container terminals in Western Canada. Quorum also provided the analytical and research services for the review of rail freight service in 2008 and 2009 as well as performing multiple studies on the Canadian Grain Supply Chain over the past 20 years.
Mark has extensive experience in the transportation industry. During his 23 years with the rail industry, he held a variety of senior and executive positions in the fields of marketing, intermodal, and operations. Mark attended post-secondary schools in Edmonton at the University of Alberta and the University of Western Ontario. He has been involved in many transportation industry organizations throughout his career, including the Canadian Transportation Research Forum where he presently sits on the Board as its immediate Past President.
The Power of Networking in the Grain Industry: Build Your Business and Support Your Career
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
12:00 – 12:45 p.m. Central
Get ready to discover the secrets of unlocking endless opportunities and saving a fortune for your organization! Join us in this exciting webinar as we delve into the power of networking in the grain industry and how it can transform your business and career.
Our distinguished speaker will take you on a thrilling journey, starting with the basics of networking, tips, and strategies for networking in the grain industry, and how GEAPS membership has been a game changer in his career and how it can be yours too! He’ll share a case study and other real-life examples of how networking has opened doors to unimaginable opportunities, leading to organizational success and career advancement. This interactive webinar promises to be an unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired and ready to take your organization and career to the next level. Register now!
Meet the Speaker
Chuck Kunisch
Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC)
Chuck Kunisch is an accomplished facility manager with extensive experience managing two facilities with a storage capacity of 12 million bushels in the Thumb of Michigan. Currently, Chuck serves as the Corporate Safety Director and Soybean Business Development Manager for Michigan Agricultural Commodities in Lansing, Michigan.
As a member of the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) since 2002, Chuck has made significant contributions to the organization, including serving on the Board of Directors before being elected as an officer. Currently, he serves as the First Vice President and is an active member of the Exchange Educational Programming Committee. Chuck is also the Vice President of the Michigan/Southern Ontario Chapter board and represents GEAPS on the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) Board of Directors.
Chuck is also a member of NGFA’s Safety Health and Environmental Quality (SHEQ) committee and serves on the board of directors for the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) and chairs their Specialty Grains Action Committee. And finally, Chuck is a member of the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) and serves on their safety committee.
Chuck and his wife Ellen currently reside in Northern Michigan on a cattle and horse ranch surrounded by the Manistee National Forest. Chuck and Ellen enjoy spending time with their five children and 16+1 grandchildren, all of whom live close by.
Lockout Tagout – “Is your program compliant?”
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Central
This fast-paced, 30 minute webinar will take a deep dive into the OSHA requirements for controlling hazardous energy. Participants will learn about the elements of an effective lockout tagout program including training, group lockout, shift transfer, lockout device removal, periodic inspections, and energy control procedures.
Meet the Speaker
Joe Mlynek
Safety Made Simple, LLC.
Joe is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Environmental Policy and Analysis. He began his safety career in 1996 and has worked in the manufacturing, construction, agriculture, processing, and maritime industries. Joe holds certifications as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and an Occupational Health and Safety Technician (OHST) through The Bureau of Certified Safety Professionals. He is also an active member of the National Grain and Feed Association, Grain Elevator and Processing Society, Ohio Risk Coordinators, National Fire Protection Association, and American Society of Safety Professionals. Joe is also a safety columnist for Grain Journal.
Joe is currently an independent safety consultant as well as a partner and subject matter expert for Safety Made Simple, LLC. Safety Made Simple provides online training courses specific to grain-handling, livestock, agronomy, food safety, general industry, construction, and driver safety as well as equipment maintenance, and human resource development.
Emergency Preparedness – “It could happen, are you ready”
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. Central
In 2005 our presenter, Joe Mlynek, helped manage the response to a grain dust explosion in Toledo, Ohio. In this fast-paced 30 minute webinar Joe will discuss what he learned from this incident and what you can do to be prepared should the unthinkable happen.
Meet the Speaker
Joe Mlynek
Safety Made Simple, LLC.
Joe is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in Environmental Policy and Analysis. He began his safety career in 1996 and has worked in the manufacturing, construction, agriculture, processing, and maritime industries. Joe holds certifications as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and an Occupational Health and Safety Technician (OHST) through The Bureau of Certified Safety Professionals. He is also an active member of the National Grain and Feed Association, Grain Elevator and Processing Society, Ohio Risk Coordinators, National Fire Protection Association, and American Society of Safety Professionals. Joe is also a safety columnist for Grain Journal.
Joe is currently an independent safety consultant as well as a partner and subject matter expert for Safety Made Simple, LLC. Safety Made Simple provides online training courses specific to grain-handling, livestock, agronomy, food safety, general industry, construction, and driver safety as well as equipment maintenance, and human resource development.
Previous Webinars
Previous GEAPS webinars are available for free to GEAPS members in our Video Library. Filter by “Past Webinars” to see the full list.