By Marilyn Cummins, AMS Communications Co-Director
Author and inspiring ag communicator Aaron Putze will lead off Ag Media Summit 2026 with his keynote address, “Grit. Growth. Gratitude. Leading with Heart in Ag Media,” early Monday morning, July 20, at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. The 27th annual AMS runs July 19-21, with registration open now online at www.agmediasummit.com.
Putze, chief officer for brand management and engagement at the Iowa Soybean Association, will explore the leadership mindset behind impactful communication: leading with positivity, welcoming different perspectives, and showing up with empathy and humility.
“Your humanity is your superpower,” Putze says. Appropriate for a conference geared around the theme “AI: Authentic Intelligence,” he says he believes that in today’s environment of skepticism, speed and artificial intelligence, how you show up matters more than ever.
“When you lead with heart, you don’t just inform,” says Putze. “You influence, inspire and build relationships that last.”
Attendees can also sign up for Putze’s breakout session: “The Future of Leadership: Empathy, Agility and Impact.” While it includes content relevant to all attendees, he says the superpowers shared will be especially helpful to those just getting started on their “journey to better.”
Since AMS attendees are encouraged to come to Sunday’s Famous Welcome Party dressed as their answer to “What is Your Superpower?”, Putze says that embracing “being a work in progress” is a great place to start. “Admitting you don’t have it all figured out keeps you sharp, humble and open to new ideas and perspectives. Those are all helpful superpowers!”
In addition to his sessions, Putze will be available to sign and personalize copies of his book, “YOU Are Destined for Greatness – Stories of Inspiration & Empowerment.” It features numerous short quips, insights and examples of leadership in action as shared by 27 difference-makers, many with Midwest and agricultural roots.
Putze’s own ag roots originate from growing up on a Northwest Iowa row-crop and livestock farm and working for “a whole lot of farmers,” along with the FFA career that kickstarted his passion for communications, public speaking and more. After graduating from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in public relations/communications, Putze so far has split his communications career evenly – 16 years at the Iowa Farm Bureau and going on 16 with the Iowa Soybean Association.
About AMS, hosted by the Agricultural Communicators Network and the Livestock Publications Council, with support from the Ag Media Council:
Conference activities at the Hyatt Regency run from Sunday evening, July 19, through late Tuesday afternoon, followed by the optional post-AMS tour day on Wednesday, July 22. The tour includes Gateway Arch National Park; ADM’s grain barge facility on the Mississippi River; lunch and tour at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery; and an on-farm visit, videography educational session and supper at Eckert Country Farm, Belleville, Illinois.
To register, go to www.agmediasummit.com by May 17 for discounted early-bird rates. Regular registration is open online through June 25. For hotel information and to book lodging, go to www.agmediasummit.com/hotel-info/. The hotel conference rate for the AMS block is in effect until June 25.
– Cummins is the editor at Red Barn Media Group and an ACN member. Her AMS communications co-director is Jamie Cole, RBMG owner/creative director.