Tech Hub LIVE 2026 Kicks Off With Welcome Party Networking

By Lauren Milligan|July 21, 2026

Tech Hub LIVE 2026 kicked off Monday in Des Moines with a full day dedicated to networking, leadership, and practical innovation. Attendees explored pre-conference workshops, including sessions on artificial intelligence for ag retailers and co-ops, participated in the Women in Ag Tech and Executive Forum events, and heard opening keynote speaker Teddy Bekele, Chief Technology Officer at Land O’Lakes, share real-world insights on AI’s growing impact across agriculture.

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Maria McWhorter, DTN (left), and Dave Sloane of Goanna Ag connect during the Tech Hub LIVE Welcome Party, where attendees gathered to network and kick off the week of education and innovation.
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From left: Corey Steffl and Chris Tailowright of New Vision Co-op, Taylor Ashman of Growers, and fellow industry representatives network during the Tech Hub LIVE Welcome Party.
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Ben Hushon, The Mill, (left) and Dave Swain, Vision Technology Management, catch up during the Tech Hub LIVE Welcome Party.
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From left: Cole Brodin of AgSource, Chris Ibsen of AgSource Laboratories, and Brett Burenheide of Nutrien Ag Solutions.
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Kyle Vogt (left) and Brian Henze, both of GROWMARK, network with fellow attendees.
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Attendees gather in the Expo Hall for the Tech Hub LIVE Welcome Party, featuring networking, live entertainment, games, food, and drinks to officially kick off the conference.
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Members of the Ever.Ag team welcome attendees during the Tech Hub LIVE Welcome Party, one of the conference's signature networking events.

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The day concluded with the Welcome Party in the Expo Hall, where attendees connected with colleagues and industry partners over food, drinks, entertainment, and networking as they prepared for three days of ag tech education and collaboration. View the slideshow for photo highlights.

Lauren Milligan is Content Specialist for the Agribusiness Group, including AgriBusiness Global, CropLife, and Women in Ag Tech. Before joining Meister Media Worldwide in 2022, she received a bachelor’s degree in English from Kent State University in 2017 and has worked on newspapers local to Portage and Summit Counties in Ohio. See all author stories here.