Don't miss the opening keynote speaker Nick Webb, CEO of LeaderLogic. Nick is an internationally recognized innovation strategist and best-selling author who draws on more than four decades of helping organizations navigate change and prepare for the future. 

Nick will be followed by a panel discussion about Drone Technology and the Specialty Industry moderated by RISE Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs Kristen Spotz.

Drone Technology and the Specialty Industry Panelists

Moderator: Kristen Spotz, RISE Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs

• Nandita Chowdhury, Global Regulatory Manager at Clarke, leading global registration efforts for mosquito control products, advancing sustainable, science-based vector control solutions that protect public health worldwide.
• Sarah Hovinga, Senior Regulatory Policy Manager on Digital Farming at Bayer, focusing on advancing regulatory policy in digital agriculture with an emphasis on precision application of pesticides, including drones and digital labeling.
• Kelley Wittenberg, Drone Technology Leader, supporting research, field trials, demonstrations and commercial deployment of Unmanned Aerial Systems for precision aerial application.
• Kamron Newberry, Regulatory and Trade Policy Coordinator at AmericanHort, leading federal regulatory and pesticide policy issues affecting greenhouse, nursery and specialty crop producers.

RISE Executive Director Scott Herndon will share his first remarks to the full membership to open the session and will be joined by Governing Board Chair Neil Cleveland to present the association's highest honor, the E. Allen James Leadership Award, along with the Strategic Driver and Excellence in Grassroots Awards, and will announce a new RISE member for 2026.

Attire for the 2026 RISE Annual Meeting is business casual.