ARA’s Rising Stars program is open for nominations.
This program, sponsored by Atticus, is a wonderful opportunity to recognize future leaders in agribusiness. The Rising Stars program is a meaningful way for ARA member companies to recognize employees for their work in front of hundreds of industry professionals at the annual ARA Conference & Expo and to explore new ways to hone their leadership skills.
This year’s award program theme is “Leading the Climb to the Summit of Success.”
Nomination Requirements:
- A limit of two individuals from the same company may be nominated;
- Nominee(s) must have 10 years of experience or less in the ag sector; and
- Nominee(s) must be employed by an ARA member company in good standing.
- Nomination forms are due by COB, September 19, 2025.
Additionally, each accepted Rising Star must submit a video related to the theme in order to participate in the award program. Video submissions are due by COB on September 30, 2025.
Nominees will have the opportunity to participate in the program’s Fan Favorite Video Contest for a chance to win a trip to the Atticus headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, and experience another side of ag retail.
The 2025 ARA Conference & Expo will be held December 2-4 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Selected Rising Stars will attend the conference at a special discounted rate.
Why Participate?
When you invest in your team’s professional development journey, you increase the likelihood of retaining that top talent for years to come.
ARA Rising Stars will:
- Hone skills tailored to your company with the ARA NAVIGATOR 360° online assessment, completed by Rising Stars at no cost;
- Attend the ARA Conference & Expo at a reduced rate;
- Create a video to share on social media and compete in the video contest for a chance to win a trip to the Atticus headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., and experience another side of ag retail;
- Gain industry-wide recognition beyond the 600+ ag professionals cheering on Rising Stars as they take the main stage at ARA Conference;
- Display an award at your company’s facility for customers & communities to appreciate;
- Harvest applicable takeaways from Conference sessions;
- Explore a first-class Expo with the latest innovations;
- Expand their network among industry thought leaders at Conference receptions; and
- Get more involved with ARA as the association representing your needs in Washington.
Important Details:
- Rising Stars must submit a video to participate in the award program.
- Rising Stars will be invited to a dinner with ARA Board members Tuesday evening during the ARA Conference to receive their awards; spouses will not be invited in order to encourage networking among Rising Stars and ARA Board Members.
- The 2025 ARA Conference & Expo will be held Dec. 2-4 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Rising Stars will be announced via an ARA news release prior to the Conference; Rising Star companies will be encouraged to send their own announcements at this time.
- Accepted Rising Stars will be notified by early October.
