June 16 - 18, 2025 

ACE 2025: Say Cheese! Capturing the Heart of Communication in Milwaukee

ACE 2025 brought vibrant energy to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where members gathered to connect, celebrate, and shine a spotlight on the creativity and impact of agricultural and natural resources communicators.

With the theme “Say Cheese!”, this year’s conference reminded us to pause and appreciate the faces, stories, and shared purpose behind our work. From inspiring sessions to spontaneous hallway conversations, every moment captured the heart of our community.

Keynote speaker Saul Flores delivered a powerful message on the human potential found in adversity, sharing stories from his journey as a photojournalist and philanthropist. His visual storytelling deeply resonated with attendees.

Hermance Speaker Edwin Remsberg brought decades of experience to the stage, offering a moving perspective on the role of photography in preserving agricultural heritage and telling meaningful stories through images.

We proudly honored this year’s award recipients:

• ACE Fellow Award: Kay Ledbetter

• Award of Excellence – Academic & Research: Shannon Norris-Parish

• Award of Excellence – Media Relations & Writing: Lourdes Mederos

• Rising Star Award: Aaron Alexander

• Reuben Brigham Award: Brad Haire

In addition, the Critique & Awards program showcased top-tier work across categories including writing, design, video, and digital strategy—highlighting the exceptional talent within ACE.

A dedicated focus group of ACE retirees also shared bold ideas and insights to help guide the future of our organization.

Whether you came to learn, reconnect, or simply take a moment to "say cheese," ACE 2025 was a celebration of who we are and where we’re going—together.