2026 HEC Conference

Conference Schedule

Two days of interactive discussions, communication practice, student presentations, networking, and opportunities to connect with professionals across agriculture and beyond.

October 15–16, 2026 Sioux Falls, South Dakota In-Person Conference
Conference Agenda

Plan your conference experience

Select a day below to view conference activities, meals, presentation sessions, and networking events.

Thursday, October 15

Round-table discussions, presentation preparation, networking, and the conference dinner and social.

15
7:00 – 8:00 AM

Breakfast & Check-in

Party Deck
8:00 – 8:15 AM

Welcome & Opening Instructions

8:20 – 9:00 AM

Round Table Rotation 1

Interactive small-group discussion.

9:05 – 9:45 AM

Round Table Rotation 2

Interactive small-group discussion.

9:45 – 10:05 AM

Coffee Break

10:05 – 10:45 AM

Round Table Rotation 3

Interactive small-group discussion.

10:50 – 11:30 AM

Round Table Rotation 4

Interactive small-group discussion.

11:35 AM – 12:15 PM

Round Table Rotation 5

Interactive small-group discussion.

12:15 – 1:15 PM

Lunch

1:15 – 1:55 PM

Round Table Rotation 6

Interactive small-group discussion.

2:00 – 2:40 PM

Round Table Rotation 7

Interactive small-group discussion.

2:50 – 5:15 PM

Presentation Refinement Session

Dedicated time for students to refine and prepare their presentations for Friday.

Friday, October 16

Student presentations to assigned target audiences, followed by the conference wrap-up and certificates.

16
7:30 – 8:30 AM

Breakfast & Check-in

Party Deck
8:30 – 8:50 AM

Opening Instructions

8:55 – 9:30 AM

Presentation Session 1

Concurrent student presentations in assigned target-audience rooms.

9:35 – 10:10 AM

Presentation Session 2

Concurrent student presentations in assigned target-audience rooms.

10:15 – 10:50 AM

Presentation Session 3

Concurrent student presentations in assigned target-audience rooms.

10:55 – 11:30 AM

Presentation Session 4

Concurrent student presentations in assigned target-audience rooms.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 – 1:35 PM

Presentation Session 5

Concurrent student presentations in assigned target-audience rooms.

1:40 – 2:15 PM

Presentation Session 6

Concurrent student presentations in assigned target-audience rooms.

2:20 – 2:45 PM

Wrap-up & Certificates of Completion

Coffee & refreshments: Coffee will be available in the individual presentation rooms throughout the morning.
HEC conference participants
HEC conference discussion
HEC conference participant