BMO Capital Markets Hosts 12th Annual Farm to Market Conference

• Event features industry leaders from the agriculture, protein, food, fertilizer, retail distribution, restaurant and supermarket sectors

NEW YORK, May 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - BMO Capital Markets hosts its 12^th annual Farm to Market Conference on May 17-18 in New York City. The conference brings together industry leaders in the agriculture, food retail, restaurant and farm input sectors, as well as global institutional investors in these industries. Whether it is global trade, technology, food deflation, labor or the new Trump administration, global trends impacting these industries are shaping the future of the agriculture, food retail and restaurant industries.

"As we move through this year, the overarching theme is be prepared for unprecedented and unpredictable change on the horizon. In contrast to past years, companies face a 'wait and see' environment where we are on cusp of potentially monumental changes on economic, trade, and fiscal policies," said Ken Zaslow, Food and Agriculture Analyst with BMO Capital Markets. "So after all these years of working to improve their business models and with new leadership at many companies, we believe these business models will be tested and required to adapt without any warning.  

"With the importance of global trade and these potential changes, companies across the entire food value chain continue to make a concerted effort to invest and reengineer their business models to strengthen their long-term growth profiles and reduce volatility."

Mr. Ken Zaslow, Food and Agriculture Analyst, will co-host the conference with Food and Beverage Analyst Amit Sharma, Food Retailing and Distribution Analyst Kelly Bania, Restaurants Analyst Andrew Strelzik, Fertilizer Analyst Joel Jackson and Pharmaceuticals Analyst Alex Arfaei.

"Right now, companies and investors are in an education process as they try to prepare for change from tax to trade policy. This conference provides a timely exchange for ideas where market leaders examine the potential challenges and opportunities they could face in addition to responding to the ongoing secular shifts occurring with U.S. consumers," said Kelly Bania, Food Retailing and Distribution Analyst, BMO Capital Markets.

While global trade, tax policy and food deflation are discussed widely by participating companies, for the restaurant industry, the changing expectations of customers and how to compete effectively are key topics.

"The drivers of restaurant visits are evolving, forcing companies to re-think strategic priorities.  For restaurants to continue to compete and grow, technology, operations, service and messaging are paramount.  But investing behind those important factors creates uncertainties about companies' margin outlook. Investors at our conference will be examining the potential impacts," said Andrew Strelzik, Restaurants Analyst.

On Thursday, May 18, a keynote discussion with former U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman provides a comprehensive overview of current global trade policy, highlighting his firsthand experience negotiating trade agreements, developing US trade policy and dealing with global relations. 

"This keynote could not be more timely," said Mr. Zaslow. "As businesses and investors from across the food and agriculture sectors look ahead, the future global trade landscape is more uncertain than ever."

Senior executives from more than 90 leading agriculture, fertilizer, food, beverage, restaurant and retail companies will discuss leading industry trends. Company participants include:

• Agrium (AGU)
• Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
• Bunge (BG)
• CF Industries (CF)
• Denny's (DENN)
• Ingredion (INGR)
• Noodles & Company (NDLS)
• Pilgrims' Pride (PPC)
• Potash Corp. (POT)
• Snyder's – Lance (LNCE)
• SunOpta (STKL)
• Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM)
• Sysco (SYY)
• Tyson Foods (TSN)

About BMO Capital Markets
BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service North American financial services provider. With more than 2,300 employees operating in 28 locations, including 15 in North America, BMO Capital Markets offers corporate, institutional and government clients access to a complete range of investment and corporate banking products and services. BMO Capital Markets is a member of BMO Financial Group (NYSE:BMO)(TSX:BMO), One of the largest diversified financial services providers in North America, with total assets of $699 billion as of January 31, 2016, and close to 47,000 employees.

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SOURCE BMO Financial Group