Conference Programme
Discover more about each of the incredible speakers on this programme via the link below.
Meet the speakersSunday 7 September
13:30 Badge collection opens – Lobby, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
16:45 Depart for Reception
17:00 ‘Bienvenida Caribeña’ Drinks Reception – El Baluarte San Francisco Javier, Cartagena
Begin your WEO Cartagena experience in unforgettable style at El Baluarte San Francisco Javier, set atop the city’s historic walls. Enjoy Caribbean charm with refreshing drinks as you soak in panoramic views of the city and coastline.
20:00 Free evening
Monday 8 September
08:00 Badge collection opens – Regency Foyer, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
09:00 Official conference opening – Regency Ballroom, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
09:15 Conference Session | Global Leadership Insights
The Colombian Agricultural Sector: A History Full of Challenges and Successes
Jorge Bedoya, President, Colombian Agricultural Society, Colombia
Egg Producer Leadership Panel
Alberto Romo, PROAN, Mexico
Elwyn Griffiths, Griffiths Family Farms, UK
Marcus Rust, Rose Acre Farms, United States
Tim Yoo, Ganong Bio, South Korea
This session is kindly sponsored by
10:15 Coffee – Regency Foyer & Terrace, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
This coffee break is kindly sponsored by
11:00 Conference Session | Geopolitics & Global Trends
What Makes Latin America Tick, and How is it Ticking in this New Global Economic Environment
Dr. Alberto Trejos, Professor of Economics, INCAE Business School, & Former Minister of Foreign Trade, Costa Rica
12:00 Lunch – Kokaú Restaurant, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
14:00 Conference Session | Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Rewriting Our Story: The Healthy & Indispensable Egg
Ed Hoffman, Head of Global Marketing & Communications, American Egg Board, United States
Producer Perspective: The Shape of the Future Egg Industry
Ricardo Faria, Granja Faria, Brazil
15:15 Conference sessions end
16:45 Depart for Reception
17:00 ‘Encanto de Colombia’ Drinks Reception by Vetanco – La Serrezuela, Cartagena
Taking place at the stunning La Serrezuela, a historic venue in the heart of Cartagena, this setting offers a unique blend of colonial architecture and modern elegance. With a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates the spirit of Cartagena, this is the perfect place to connect with fellow attendees over drinks and canapés.
This event is hosted by 
20:00 Free evening
Tuesday 9 September
08:00 Badge collection opens – Regency Foyer, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
09:00 Conference Session | Avian Influenza Part 1 – Regency Ballroom, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
Global HPAI Overview
Ben Dellaert, Chair, WEO AI Global Expert Group, & Director, AVINED, Netherlands
Progress on the Road to Vaccination
Olivier Espeisse, Chairman, IABS, France
Vaccination Strategies and Insights for the Control of HPAI in China
Dr. Daxin Peng, Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, China
10:15 Coffee – Regency Foyer & Terrace, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
This coffee break is kindly sponsored by
11:00 Conference Session | Avian Influenza Part 2
Journey to AI Vaccination: Stories from around the World
Chad Gregory, President & CEO, United Egg Producers, United States
Diana Sarita Nieto, Technical Director, FENAVI, Colombia
Dr. Abongile Balarane, CEO, SAPA, South Africa
12:00 Lunch – Kokaú Restaurant, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
14:00 Conference Session
Building on a Family Dream: The La Calera Story and Beyond
Vasco Masías, President, Grupo Alimenta, Peru
14:45 Coffee – Regency Foyer & Terrace, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
This coffee break is kindly sponsored by 
15:15 Conference Session | Egg Marketing Excellence Showcase
Celebrating Food & Health Content Creators with the Galliova Awards
Dr. Abongile Balarane, CEO, SAPA, South Africa
Golden Egg Award Presentations
Members from around the world will showcase the marketing and innovation developments that are driving egg consumption in their region, competing for the coveted Golden Egg Award for Marketing Excellence.
APF Holdings, Latvia
FENAVI, Colombia
Tafa Viet, Vietnam
Egg Farmers of Canada, Canada
16:30 Conference sessions end
16:30 Spirit of Colombia: Rum Tasting Experience – Regency Foyer & Terrace
Wrap up and toast to a productive day of inspiring conference sessions during this authentic rum tasting experience.
Sample three distinct Colombian rums – presented to you by experts in spirits and mixology – while catching up with colleagues and industry friends after an insightful day.
Wednesday 10 September
08:30 Badge collection opens – Regency Foyer, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
09:00 Conference Session | Global Egg Industry Outlook 2035 – Regency Ballroom, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
Nan-Dirk Mulder, Senior Global Specialist Animal Protein, Rabobank, Netherlands
10:00 Coffee – Regency Foyer & Terrace, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
This coffee break is kindly sponsored by 
10:45 Conference Session | Vision 365: Strategies for Growing Egg Consumption
Egg Consumption Global Overview: Trends, Drivers, and Growth Opportunities
Peter van Horne, WEO Economic Analyst, Netherlands
Strategies for Growing Egg Consumption: Stories from around the World
Gonzalo Moreno, President, FENAVI, Colombia
Javier Prida, President, CAPIA, Argentina
Emily Metz, President & CEO, American Egg Board, United States
12:00 WEO Annual General Assembly (AGM)
12:15 Lunch – Kokaú Restaurant, Hyatt Regency, Cartagena
14:00 Conference Session
The Red Pill or Blue Pill: Navigating the Dichotomy in Artificial Intelligence
Sharon Gai, Artificial Intelligence Expert, Author & Keynote Speaker, United States
15:00 Award presentation and conference closing
15:15 Conference sessions end
17:45 Depart for Party
18:00 ‘La Gran Fiesta Final’ by Hy-Line International, Ovotherm, and US Poultry & Egg Association – Casa 1537, Cartagena
Promising to be an exciting finale to WEO Cartagena! Enjoy a delightful buffet-style dinner, inspired by the ‘taste of Colombia’, and celebrate the country’s iconic carnival culture with live entertainment, dancing and a vibrant atmosphere. The festivities of the final night are the perfect opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the past few days.
This event is hosted by 