Spring 2026 Regional Meeting
April 8 @ 8:30 am – April 9 @ 6:30 pm EDT
Spring 2026 Regional Meeting
Join us for professional development at ACN’s Spring Regional Meeting in Nicholasville, Kentucky on April 8, 8:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m., focusing on “Tech Tools for Today’s Ag Communicator.” Optional tour of Lane’s End horse farm and Keeneland races follow on April 9.
Location: Alltech Headquarters, 3031 Catnip Hill Road, Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Registration deadline Friday, April 3.
Schedule
Parking: If staying at Springhill Suites, Alltech can shuttle attendees to Alltech Headquarters for the workshop.
April 7
- 6- 7 p.m EST Welcome
- Join the ACN Board of Directors for a light social gathering, including appetizers at Events|33 Staves in Lexington, KY. Cash bar available.
April 8
- 8:15 a.m. EST Registration and Breakfast
- 8:50 a.m. Welcome
Joy Crosby – President, Elizabeth Hodges – Committee Chair and Jenn Norrie – Alltech - 9 a.m. Alltech presentation and tour
- 10 a.m. Kentucky Agriculture, Building a Network and Knowing your Audience
- Jennifer Elwell, University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- 11 a.m. Networking Break
- 11:15 a.m. Refining your photography process
- Jon Cherry , photographer
- 12:15 p.m. Lunch – Sponsored by Alltech
- 1 p.m. Maximizing efficiency with AI
- Peter Baniak, University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information
- 2 p.m. Networking Break
- 2:15 p.m. Weathering the Ag Cycles (Marketing Communications Focus)
- Carey Brown, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and Livestock Advertising Network
- 3:15 p.m. When and How to Say Something Panel
- Holly Spangler Farm Progress executive editor and Dr. Vaughn Holder, Alltech Beef Research Group Director
- 4:15 p.m. Thank you and Adjourn
- 4:15 p.m. Happy Hour, The Alltech Pub
- 5:15 p.m. Alltech bus departs for Springhill Suites
April 9
Optional Post-Workshop Tour: Choose from a half-day or full-day experience — offered at no charge. Thank you to Alltech for their generous support.
- Breakfast at Hotel
- Depart hotel for tours
- 9:30 a.m. Tour at Lane’s End
Attire: Jeans and boots - 10:30 a.m. Depart horse farm and Stop at Hotel
Change into Derby wear - 11:30 a.m. Leave for Keeneland horse races
Attire: Derby wear or jeans acceptable - Lunch on your own at Keeneland horse races
- 1 p.m. Horse races begin
- 4:30/6:30 p.m. Leave for hotel
- Dinner on your own. Options near hotel Fritz Farm | Lexington, KY
Thank you to the supporters of the ACN Spring Regional Workshop: Alltech and ACN Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF). Thank you to Katie Knapp The Ag Photographer for the photos.
Hotel
Hotel Reservations Springhill Suites by Marriott Lexington Fritz Farm 4019 Finn Way, Lexington | $124/night
Reserve your room by March 20 to secure the group rate before horse racing season begins. Book online using ACN Regional Workshop or call the hotel at 859-309-0515 and reference block code ATVC (“VIP Press Event”).
After March 20, contact Katie Grice directly at 859-309-0515 ext. 3. If no rooms are available, email agcommnetwork@gmail.com.
Shuttle
*Shuttle to Alltech: If staying at Springhill Suites, Alltech can shuttle members to headquarters and back to the hotel at the end of the day.
Meeting Attire
Wednesday Attire at Alltech
- Men: dress pants/khakis, a button down shirt and a sport coat/suit jacket.
- Women: dress pants, blouse, cardigan/blazer or dress with blazer.
- Jackets can be removed while in auditorium. Wear jackets while on tour of HQ.
- Dress shoes, dressier sandals and Cowboy/girl boots/booties are fine.
- Cowboy hats, fedoras and “stylish” hats are fine, but not ballcaps/casual hats/beanies/bucket hats, etc.
Thursday Attire for Tours
- Lane’s End: Jeans and boots
- Keeneland: Can wear jeans or change into Derby wear