The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) 39th annual conference takes place August 19-21 at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This year’s theme, “Fueling Freedom,” builds on America’s 250th anniversary celebration in 2026 and highlights how ethanol expands fuel choice, relieves pain at the pump, boosts rural economies, and strengthens U.S. energy security.
This virtual ag newsroom includes links to photos and audio content available free of charge for digital or print publication or broadcast.
Photos
2026 ACE Conference photo album
Interviews/Audio
ACE CEO Brian Jennings previews the 2026 annual conference
ACE annual conference preview 21:23
Interview with new ACE board member Kim Herzog, Encore Energy
Kim Herzog, Encore Energy 5:15
Interview with ACE board president Troy Knecht, Redfield Energy
Troy Knecht, Redfield Energ 7:14
Interview with Ron Lamberty, ACE Chief Marketing Officer
Ron Lamberty, ACE 10:33
Interview with Tom Kloza, Chief Energy Advisor, Gulf Oil
Tom Kloza, Gulf Oil 6:56
Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) remarks and award presentation
Rep. Michelle Fischbach remarks 35:02
Interview with Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN)
Rep. Michelle Fischbach interview 2:05
Interview with Mike Jerke, Former CEO Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy (SIRE), Merle Anderson Award recipient
Mike Jerke, Merle Anderson Award 14:04
Interview with Kenton Johnson, CEO Granite Falls Energy & Heron Lake BioEnergy, Grassroots Award recipient
Kenton Johnson, Grassroots Award 4:53
Interview with Brian Werner, Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, Paul Dana Marketing Vision Award
Brian Wermer, MN Bio-Fuels Assoc. 6:23
Trade Keynote: Ryan LeGrand, President & CEO, U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council
Ryan LeGrand, USGBC, remarks 30:00
Interview with Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO, U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council
Ryan LeGrand, USGBC, interview 11:35
The 45Z Playbook: Policy, Modeling, and Compliance for Biofuel Producers – panel
Kate Zook, Acting Director, Office of Energy and Environmental Policy, USDA
Jamey Cline, Partner, Christianson PLLP
Kari Buttenhoff, Christianson
45Z Playbook panel 54:44
Interview with Jeff Oestmann, G37 Ventures
Jeff Oestmann, G37 Ventures 9:16
Interview with John Christianson, Christianson PLLP
John Christianson, Christianson PLLP 9:37
Interview with Chris Wilson, Mid-Missouri Energy, ACE board member
Chris Wilson, Mid-Missouri Energy 5:24
Interview with Kathy Frohm, CoBank
Kathy Frohm, CoBank 2:01
Interview with Rebecca Johnson, Christianson PLLP
Rebecca Johnson, Christianson PLLP 4:10
Fueling Freedom: Retailer Panel
Ron Lamberty, American Coalition for Ethanol, CMO
Brian Werner, Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, Executive Director
Jeff Wilkerson, Pearson Fuels, Government Policy and Regulatory Affairs
Retailer Panel 43:52
Ethanol’s Growing Impact in Reducing Cancer Risk: Insights from The Hormel Institute
Luke Hoeppner, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Associate Professor
Gail Dennison, The Hormel Institute, Director of Development & External Relations
Hormel Institute Panel 22:13