Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The Annual South Dakota Pork Congress is a premier event for the pork industry, taking place on January 13-14, 2027, at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls. This two-day trade show will showcase over 160 exhibitors presenting the latest technology, equipment, veterinary supplies, and construction solutions for pork producers.
The event also includes educational seminars and networking opportunities for industry professionals. Annual South Dakota Pork Congress takes place in Sioux Falls,.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Annual January run at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall, 3200 W Maple St, Sioux Falls, South Dakota - confirm the exact dates and daily hours on sdpork.org/schedule before booking travel.
- 2Sector Focus: Swine production on the Northern Plains - sow herd productivity, herd health and biosecurity, nutrition, genetics and seedstock, barns and equipment, manure and environmental management, plus pork marketing and consumer demand work.
- 3Organiser: South Dakota Pork Producers Council, the state producer body that runs the Congress and posts the programme, exhibitor information and registration on sdpork.org.
- 4Who Attends: South Dakota and Upper Midwest pork producers, contract growers, swine veterinarians, feed and nutrition suppliers, equipment and barn-system dealers, and allied agribusiness serving the region's farms.
- 5Format: An exhibit hall of agricultural suppliers paired with producer education sessions and Council business, held entirely inside the Ramkota complex so the trade floor and meeting rooms are a short walk apart.
Why visit
Attendees will gain insights into the latest advancements in pork production and technology. Dates and Venue: The 58th Annual South Dakota Pork Congress takes place from January 13-14, 2027, at Ramkota Exhibit Hall, Sioux Falls, SD. Buyer Authority: Attendees include pork producers, suppliers, and industry professionals looking to enhance their operations.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors will have the chance to showcase their products to a targeted audience of pork producers and industry stakeholders. Scale and Focus: This event features over 160 exhibitors showcasing the latest technology, equipment, and supplies for the pork industry. Buyer Authority: Attendees include pork producers, suppliers, and industry professionals looking to enhance their operations.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Pork producers looking for the latest industry innovations
Veterinary suppliers and service providers
Agricultural equipment manufacturers
Feed and nutrition companies
Pork industry educators and researchers
Policy makers and agricultural advocates
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Companies offering veterinary supplies and services
Manufacturers of agricultural equipment and technology
Feed and nutrition product suppliers
Construction and facility management services
Pork processing equipment providers
Educational institutions and research organizations
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Veterinary supplies and health products
Feed and nutrition solutions for swine
Pork processing equipment and technology
Agricultural machinery and tools
Construction services for livestock facilities
Educational resources and training programs
Location & Facilities
Venue
Ramkota Exhibit Hall
Sioux Falls, USA
Facilities
Parking
Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Ramkota Exhibit Hall for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Who runs the show
Organisers
South Dakota Pork Producers Council
Organiser
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Sioux Falls, USA
Why it matters
Attending Annual South Dakota Pork Congress on 2027-01-13 to 2027-01-14 in Sioux Falls lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Sioux Falls Regional Airport (Joe Foss Field)
Primary gateway for the Congress; prior mapping shows the 3.9-mile drive from the airport to 3200 W Maple St, with alternate routings via Minnesota Ave taking about 11-12 minutes. Rental cars, taxis and rideshare pickup are at the terminal - confirm current airline service and winter de-icing delays with the airline
TBA
to venue
Approx. 10 minutes / 3.9 miles to Ramkota Exhibit Hall via W Russell St
by car
Sioux Gateway Airport
Secondary regional option in Sioux City, Iowa, for travellers connecting from Iowa or Nebraska; it is a much longer road transfer than FSD and should only be used when FSD routings do not work. Verify schedules and rental car availability directly with the airport
TBA
to venue
Approx. 90 miles south of Sioux Falls; roughly 1.5 hours by car in dry conditions - confirm route and winter road status before relying on it
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel
on-site
Ramkota Exhibit Hall complex, 3200 W Maple St4.0
Hotel attached to the Ramkota Exhibit Hall venue, the most convenient base for the show.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sioux Falls Southwest by IHG
midscale
Southwest Sioux Falls4.2
Free cancellation, hot tub
Staybridge Suites Sioux Falls Southwest, an IHG Hotel
midscale
Southwest Sioux Falls4.7
Free cancellation, hot tub
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sioux Falls at Empire Mall, an IHG Hotel
midscale
Empire Mall district4.3
Free cancellation, hot tub
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sioux Falls-Brandon by IHG
budget
Brandon, east of Sioux Falls4.3
Free cancellation, hot tub
Comfort Inn & Suites at Sanford Sports Complex
budget
Sanford Sports Complex4.5
Hot tub, pool
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Taxi or rideshare
Estimated costUSD 35-75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forSioux Falls Regional Airport (Joe Foss Field) (FSD) to Ramkota Exhibit Hall
Fastest route runs via W Russell St; alternatives via Minnesota Ave and W Russell St take about 11 minutes, and via Minnesota Ave, W 60th St N and N Westport Ave about 12 minutes. Ride-hailing is commonly used in Sioux Falls, but confirm app coverage and wait times on arrival, especially in winter weather.
Rental car
Estimated costUSD 35-75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forFSD airport rental counters to Ramkota Exhibit Hall and southwest Sioux Falls hotels
The most flexible option for producers combining the Congress with farm visits or supplier meetings across eastern South Dakota; book early for January because winter demand and de-icing delays can tighten availability.
Hotel shuttle / on-foot from hotel block
Estimated costNo fare expected for guests of the attached hotel; confirm with the property
Best forBest Western Plus Ramkota Hotel to Ramkota Exhibit Hall
Staying at the attached Ramkota property removes daily transport entirely; other southwest Sioux Falls hotels are a short drive and may offer shuttle service - ask at booking.
City bus (Sioux Area Metro)
Estimated costApprox. USD 1-2 per single ride; confirm current fares and exact route coverage with Sioux Area Metro
Best forSioux Falls city bus network toward the W Maple St corridor
Sioux Falls has no metro or light rail, and prior mapping of the airport-to-venue route returned driving directions only. Check whether a Sioux Area Metro route actually serves 3200 W Maple St before relying on public transport; most attendees drive, take a taxi or use rideshare.
Parking at the venue
Estimated costConfirm current on-site parking rates with the venue or organiser
Best forRamkota Exhibit Hall, 3200 W Maple St
The Ramkota complex is a drive-up hotel and exhibit-hall property, and on-site parking is the normal arrival mode for regional producers; ask about event-specific parking arrangements when the programme is published.
taxi
Estimated costUSD 35-75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forSioux Gateway Airport (SUX) to Ramkota Exhibit Hall
Approx. 90 miles south of Sioux Falls; roughly 1.5 hours by car in dry conditions - confirm route and winter road status before relying on it; Secondary regional option in Sioux City, Iowa, for travellers connecting from Iowa or Nebraska; it is a much longer road transfer than FS
Weather
January in Sioux Falls brings sub-freezing conditions and snow risk; monitor National Weather Service (weather.gov) forecasts for winter storm warnings before travel and allow extra time for airport and road delays.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or a local SIM for business visitors to the United States.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business dress
Business casual is typical for Upper Midwest agricultural and scientific meetings; attendees often dress informally for a pork industry congress.
Arrival
Arrive early on day one for registration and badge pickup, and build in buffer time for snowy roads around W Maple St.
Local etiquette
Sioux Falls is a small, friendly Midwestern city; tipping 15-20 percent at restaurants and for taxi or rideshare is standard.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: FSD
Cabin searches from New York JFK to Sioux City SUX for 12 January 2027 returned no direct options and suggested flying from LGA from about USD 359, from EWR from about USD 354, or into Omaha OMA from about USD 341. Fares are date- and availability-dependent; compare connections into FSD before booking and confirm ground transfer separately.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Sioux Falls Regional Airport (Joe Foss Field) (FSD): Approx. 10 minutes / 3.9 miles to Ramkota Exhibit Hall via W Russell St; Sioux Gateway Airport (SUX): Approx. 90 miles south of Sioux Falls; roughly 1.5 hours by car in dry conditions - confirm route and winter road status before relying on it. Allow road or rail time to Ramkota Exhibit Hall; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Ramkota Exhibit Hall: Ramkota Exhibit Hall complex, 3200 W Maple St: Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel; Southwest Sioux Falls: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sioux Falls Southwest by IHG; Southwest Sioux Falls: Staybridge Suites Sioux Falls Southwest, an IHG Hotel.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Sioux Falls; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Sioux Falls has no metro or light rail network, and the airport-to-Ramkota route in Google Maps returns only driving directions (3.9 miles, about 10 minutes via W Russell St). Plan on taxi, rideshare, hotel shuttle or a rental car rather than fixed-route rail to reach 3200 W Maple St.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Ramkota Exhibit Hall; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: January 2027
Temperature: January in Sioux Falls is deep winter: daytime highs typically around 20-28 F (about -7 to -2 C) and overnight lows around 3-12 F (about -16 to -11 C), with snow, ice and wind chill common. Pack insulated boots, a heavy coat, gloves and a hat for the walk between the Ramkota hotel block and the exhibit hall, and monitor weather.gov for winter storm warnings in the week before travel. Climatological bands only - confirm the actual forecast for your dates.
Seasonality: January is deep winter in Sioux Falls and South Dakota's coldest month; expect snow cover, icy pavements and occasional winter storm advisories rather than rainfall as the main weather concern. Check weather.gov forecasts for the Sioux Falls area in the days before departure.
Packing: Pack insulated layers, a heavy winter coat, gloves, hat and waterproof boots with grip soles for snow and ice, plus business casual attire for indoor sessions. A compact umbrella or hooded shell helps with slushy precipitation between hotel and venue.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Annual South Dakota Pork Congress usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Day 14 - Confirm the current South Dakota Pork Congress dates and session times at sdpork.org/schedule, then lock your travel window around the Ramkota Exhibit Hall programme rather than the hotel calendar.
T-2
Day 13 - Register through the South Dakota Pork Producers Council and check whether your producer, veterinarian or agribusiness role sits in a specific registration category.
T-3
Day 12 - Book a room at the Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel if you want to walk to the exhibit hall, or compare southwest Sioux Falls midscale properties near the Empire Mall if you are driving in.
T-4
Day 11 - Book flights into Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) with a weather buffer: January connections through Denver, Minneapolis or Chicago are the usual failure point for Upper Midwest winter travel.
T-5
Day 10 - Reserve a rental car or plan taxi and rideshare budgets for the roughly 10-minute, 3.9-mile run from FSD to 3200 W Maple St, since Sioux Falls has no rail or metro link.
T-6
Day 9 - Pull the exhibitor list from sdpork.org and shortlist which feed, health, genetics, barn equipment and financial suppliers you need to see, so the trade floor time is targeted.
T-7
Day 8 - Build a session plan around the issues on your own farm this quarter - sow productivity, PRRS or biosecurity status, feed cost, barn ventilation, manure compliance - and note the speakers you want to catch.
T-8
Day 7 - Check your PQA Plus certification status and any records you want to discuss with suppliers or your veterinarian while you are at the Congress.
T-9
Day 6 - Review weather.gov forecasts for Sioux Falls and the National Weather Service winter storm outlook for your connecting airports; adjust your arrival day if a storm is forecast.
T-10
Day 5 - Pack for sub-freezing conditions: insulated boots, a heavy coat, gloves and a hat for the walk between the Ramkota hotel block and the exhibit hall.
T-11
Day 4 - Download the schedule and exhibitor list to your phone and note the hall layout, since connectivity inside large hotel exhibit halls can be patchy.
T-12
Day 3 - Confirm ground transport - rental car pickup, rideshare app setup, or hotel shuttle arrangements with the Ramkota front desk.
T-13
Day 2 - Print or save your registration confirmation and the organiser's contact number, and check for any last-minute schedule or move-in changes posted on sdpork.org.
T-14
Day 1 - Travel day: land at FSD, allow extra time for de-icing delays and winter road conditions, and check in at your hotel before the first session or the exhibit-hall opening.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Ramkota Exhibit Hall
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Annual South Dakota Pork Congress registration concourse
Ramkota Exhibit Hall
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Ramkota Exhibit Hall
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$230.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$380.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Annual South Dakota Pork Congress fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where is the South Dakota Pork Congress held?
The Congress runs each January at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall, 3200 W Maple St, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The exact dates for the current edition, along with the daily schedule and exhibit-hall hours, are posted by the South Dakota Pork Producers Council at sdpork.org/schedule - confirm them there before booking flights or hotel rooms.
Who organises the South Dakota Pork Congress?
The South Dakota Pork Producers Council, the state's pork producer organisation, is the organiser. Programme, exhibitor and registration information all run through sdpork.org, and the Council's staff are the correct contact for booth allocation, sponsorship and schedule questions.
Is the show open to the public or trade only?
It is a producer and agribusiness event aimed at pork producers, growers, swine veterinarians, feed and equipment suppliers and allied industry, rather than a consumer food festival. If you are unsure whether your role qualifies, contact the South Dakota Pork Producers Council through sdpork.org before travelling.
What is on the trade floor at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall?
Expect suppliers that serve working hog farms: feed and nutrition companies, animal-health and vaccine suppliers, genetics and seedstock providers, barn and ventilation equipment, water and manure-handling systems, trucking and livestock handling equipment, financial and insurance services, and energy or grain marketers serving the Northern Plains. Confirm the current exhibitor list with the organiser, as the roster changes year to year.
What do the education sessions cover?
The programme is built around the issues South Dakota producers face in the barn - sow productivity, herd health and disease control, biosecurity, nutrition and feed cost, barn environment, manure and regulatory compliance, and pork demand and marketing. Session titles, times and speakers for the current edition are listed on sdpork.org/schedule.
How do I register as an exhibitor or as a producer attendee?
Registration is handled by the South Dakota Pork Producers Council. Check sdpork.org for the current exhibitor contract and attendee registration path, and ask the Council directly about booth availability, move-in times and any producer-member rate, since those details are confirmed by the organiser rather than published in advance in a fixed form.
How do I get to the Ramkota Exhibit Hall from the airport?
Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) is the closest commercial airport, roughly 3.9 miles from 3200 W Maple St, which is about a 10-minute drive via W Russell St. There is no rail or metro link from the airport, so plan on a taxi or rideshare (roughly USD 35-75 by prior estimates), a rental car, or a hotel shuttle if your property offers one - confirm fares and availability before you land.
Is there parking at the venue?
The Ramkota complex is a drive-up hotel and exhibit-hall property on W Maple St, and on-site parking is the normal arrival mode for regional producers. Confirm current parking arrangements and any event-specific charges with the venue or the organiser, as the Congress shares the property with the hotel.
Where should I stay for the Congress?
The Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel is attached to the exhibit hall, which makes it the most convenient base. Alternatives within a short drive include Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites properties in southwest Sioux Falls and near the Empire Mall, plus budget options near the Sanford Sports Complex and in Brandon. January is low season in Sioux Falls, so midscale rooms typically book in the USD 110-195 range per night - confirm live rates.
What is the weather like in Sioux Falls in January?
Expect deep winter: daytime highs typically around 20-28 F (about -7 to -2 C) and overnight lows around 3-12 F (about -16 to -11 C), with snow, ice and wind chill common. Fly in with a buffer day, keep a winter coat and boots in your carry-on planning, and check weather.gov forecasts for winter storm warnings before driving to the venue.
Can producers from neighbouring states attend?
Yes - the Congress draws producers and suppliers from across the Upper Midwest, including Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and North Dakota. Check sdpork.org for any membership or registration category that applies to out-of-state attendees, and book FSD flights early since January connections through Denver, Minneapolis or Chicago can be disrupted by weather.
Who do I contact with questions the website does not answer?
Reach the South Dakota Pork Producers Council through the contact details published on sdpork.org. That is the authoritative source for exhibit-hall hours, move-in and move-out windows, sponsorship availability and any schedule changes, all of which are decided by the organiser for each edition.
Glossary
- Barrow
- A castrated male pig raised from weaning to market weight; barrows and gilts make up the market hog inventory that drives feed, health and facility purchasing decisions discussed at the Congress.
- Gilt
- A female pig that has not yet farrowed. Gilt development, selection and acclimation are central topics for producers planning sow-herd replacements.
- Farrow-to-finish
- An operation that keeps breeding sows and carries their offspring all the way to market weight, as opposed to specialised farrowing, nursery or finishing sites. Common across South Dakota, where crop ground and feed supply sit next to the barns.
- Feeder pig
- A weaned pig sold to another producer for finishing. Prices and availability shape marketing and contracting conversations between South Dakota producers and regional buyers.
- PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome)
- A viral disease causing reproductive failure in sows and respiratory disease in growing pigs. Control, monitoring and regional elimination efforts are recurring education topics for swine veterinarians and producers.
- PEDV (Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea Virus)
- A coronavirus that causes severe diarrhoea and mortality in young pigs. Its arrival reshaped on-farm biosecurity, truck washing and feed-handling protocols across the US pork belt.
- Biosecurity
- The set of protocols - Danish entry systems, shower-in/shower-out, truck and trailer washing, downtime rules and visitor logs - that keep pathogens off a farm. It is the backbone of any supplier's access to a production site.
- PQA Plus (Pork Quality Assurance Plus)
- The pork industry's producer certification covering animal care, herd handling and antibiotic stewardship. Certification status is often listed on producer profiles and is relevant to packer and retailer sourcing requirements.
- PSY (pigs per sow per year)
- The headline productivity metric for a breeding herd, combining litter size and litters per sow per year. Genetics, nutrition and sow-housing suppliers at the Congress position their products against PSY gains.
- Feed conversion ratio (FCR)
- Pounds of feed consumed per pound of gain. Because feed is the largest cost in pork production, FCR improvements drive demand for nutrition programmes, feed additives and barn climate control.
- Carcass merit and lean premiums
- Payment grids that reward carcass weight, lean percentage and quality. Genetics and marketing sessions tie on-farm selection decisions directly to the premiums packers pay.
- Seedstock
- Breeding animals and genetics supplied by purebred and multiplier herds. Seedstock suppliers exhibit alongside commercial producers' equipment and service providers.
- Contract grower
- A producer who raises pigs owned by an integrator under a contract that pays for barn space and labour rather than for the animals. Contract terms and barn standards are key concerns for South Dakota grower operations.
- US SHIP (Swine Health Improvement Plan)
- A national, producer-led programme to categorise and monitor swine health status by region, modelled on poultry health plans. It frames how regional health status can be demonstrated to buyers and regulators.
- Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD)
- The commercial airport serving the Congress venue, roughly 4 miles from the Ramkota Exhibit Hall on W Maple St - the practical arrival point for out-of-state exhibitors and producers.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Annual South Dakota Pork Congress
- Annual South Dakota Pork Congress 2027
- Annual South Dakota Pork Congress Sioux Falls
- Annual South Dakota Pork Congress Sioux Falls 2027
- Annual South Dakota Pork
- Annual South Dakota Pork 2027
- Annual South Dakota Pork Sioux Falls
- Annual South Dakota Pork Sioux Falls 2027
- Congress
- Congress 2027
4 more alternate names hidden
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.