In addition to your industry participation through your company, alumni of AFA (anyone who participated in AFA as a student) is invited to attend the below events at Conference:
Nov. 12 from 8:30-10 p.m.
AFA Board of Directors and Alumni Alliance Committee host this evening reception with VIPs, Executive Ambassadors, and AFA alumni.
Nov. 13 from 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Join us during Opportunity Fair set up located in the Exhibit Hall. Start the morning with meaningful connection at Coffee & Cakes, an alumni engagement breakfast designed to bring together AFA alumni, partners and friends for conversation, networking and community. Enjoy coffee, breakfast treats and inspiring dialogue as we celebrate the impact of the AFA network and the relationships that continue to shape agriculture and food systems.
Nov. 13 from 6-6:45 p.m.
Nov. 13 from 6:45-8:15 p.m.
Join us to honor one of our exceptional alumni with the Bridge Builder Award. This prestigious award celebrates those who continue to engage with AFA and are making notable contributions in their careers, communities, or the agriculture, food and natural resources industries. Learn more
If interested in joining either of these experiences above, reach out to chelsey.buseck@agfuture.org to get registered.
Download the app for the most up-to-date information and session details. As a reminder, the app will be available on November 3.
AFA has a block of rooms at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center and the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center for $188/night. Rates are valid November 12-15, 2026. Hotel reservations should be made by October 20, 2026, either online or by calling the hotel. AFA’s rate may not be available after the cut-off date above, or when the room block fills.
Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center
2345 McGee Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
816-841-1000
Westin Kansas City
1 East Pershing Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
816-474-4400
There is a $33 daily self-park charge, and a $45 daily valet charge for any vehicle parked at the hotel. You are responsible for those charges if you parked your vehicle.
CANCELLATION POLICY
As an engagement and funding partner of AFA, we value your support. For 30 years, partners have invested their dollars in our nonprofit programming to help guide the next generation of agriculture and food leaders. Because we are committed to being good stewards of those dollars, we have implemented a cancellation policy for 2026 AFA Leaders Conference to help direct that funding toward growing the number of students we serve each year. Our goal for this policy is to work with our partners in establishing deadlines when confirming/making changes regarding your teams’ engagement. With the rise of costs associated with in the hospitality industry (AV, caterings, lodging, etc.) this policy will help mitigate the financial risks AFA is liable for regarding cancellations that fall outside the calendar parameters set by third party vendors. Adjustments or cancellations to your registration must be made by contacting Chelsey Buseck by October 16th.
October 2nd: Deadline to register/confirm participation at 2026 AFA Leaders Conference – this includes speaker roles.
October 16th: Speakers: last day to cancel team members and replace with other team members. If a team member is unable to participate in the program following this day, no other team member from company will be able to participate/replace that individual unless specified by AFA staff member.
Upon submission of the registration, you/your organization agree to the cancellation stated above. Please contact Chelsey Buseck for questions and concerns.