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July 11, 2005

2005 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop Sets Record Attendance

Like the tornado that whirled Dorothy away in the Wizard of Oz, the 21st annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) took Kansas City by storm! Nearly 2,200 people participated in the 2005 FEW, setting a new record and making it the largest ethanol conference and expo in the world. Current and future ethanol producers, industry suppliers, financial firms, agricultural cooperatives, energy managers, consultants, associations, from over 35 countries networked, shared information, discussed new business developments and created an atmosphere of excitement as the ethanol industry continues to grow.

The four-day event began Tuesday, June 28th, with the Annual FEW Golf Tournament and Biodiesel and Ethanol 101 Seminars, all with sell-out participation. That evening, the Welcoming Reception and Grand Opening of the Expo kicked off with Ron Fagen, President of Fagen Inc., and Professor Dehua Liu, representative from China, cutting the ceremonial ribbon. A Dixieland band set the stage for a lively Expo launch. The Expo featured over 270 booths... industry companies displaying their latest in services, technology, and equipment.

Highlights of the 2005 FEW included:

• General session opening Wednesday morning, by Mike Bryan, CEO of BBI International, host of the FEW, reviewed the past 25 years of industry growth.
  
• Keynote addresses from Kansas State Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky and Missouri State Treasurer Sarah Steelman, each describing the important role ethanol plays within their state and the actions that are being taken with government policies.
  
• Presentation by Bob Dinneen, President of the Renewable Fuels Association, describing the importance of the Renewable Fuels Standard and his belief that Congress will pass it this year.
  
• Distinguished Service Award presented to Patrick Foody, Sr., Chairman, Iogen Corporation.
  
• International updates on ethanol throughout the world including China, Mexico, Philippines, Canada, India, and Australia.
  
• Informative Technical Breakout Workshops featuring timely topics on areas of Plant Management, Feedstocks, Dry-Mill Ethanol Production Modification, New Technology, Risk Management, Gasification, Emissions and Fuel Regulations, New Enzyme Technology, Fermentation, Cellulose Ethanol Developments and Ethanol/Biodiesel Use and Production.
  
• Presentation of three FEW Scholarship Awards to Hunter Mack, Kevin Joseph Theiler, Darrell Ocrane.
  
• Panel of ethanol plant personnel who shared their insights on what it takes to create a successful ethanol project.
  
• Forum of Futuristic Thinkers sharing their vision on the future developments of the industry worldwide.
  
• Unique opportunity to tour the East Kansas Agri-Energy Ethanol Plant and the Mid-Missouri Energy Ethanol Plant, both opening just this year. Each plant pulled out the “red carpet” to welcome the 2005 FEW attendees.

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