The Meat Industry Hall of Fame is delighted to announce that this year's keynote speaker will be Daren Williams, Executive Director of Communications with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Mr. Williams has helped tell the story of American agriculture for over 20 years. In his role at the NCBA, he helps develop and deliver the story of modern beef production to media, influencers and consumers.

Williams also serves as "Dean of Students" of the beef checkoff Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program. In this role, he conducts hands-on grassroots advocacy training workshops for farmers, ranchers, and other beef industry advocates.

Throughout his career, Williams has trained thousands of spokespeople-including farmers and ranchers, chefs, dieticians, university experts and food company executives-to talk to consumers about food production, safety, nutrition, and sustainability. Working with the beef community, he has helped meat processing companies and livestock producers communicate about issues ranging from animal rights activists and foreign animal disease outbreaks to E. coli-related ground beef recalls and other food safety concerns.

The Induction Ceremony and Dinner will take place Saturday, September 13 at the Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. The Hall will honor the incloming Class of 2014 including J. Patrick Boyle, CEO and President (Retired) of the American Meat Institute; Dr. Zerle Carpenter, Professor of Animal Science (Retired), Texas A&M University; Graeme Goodsir, noted industry analyst and publisher; Dr. Melvin Hunt, Professor Emeritus, Kansas State University; Steve Kay, editor and publisher of Cattle Buyers Weekly, and Dr. James Marsden, Regents Distinguished Professor of Food Safety and Security, Kansas State University.

Tickets to this prestigious event are available by contacting Meat Industry Hall of Fame President Chuck Jolley at Chuck@MeatIndustryHallofFame.com or +1 913.205.3791.