Thursday, February 19, 2026

5:15 PM - 5:30 PM

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Gathering - La Posada Hotel

Welcome Reception and Makers Market - Laredo Center of Arts

• Tu Casa Gráfica 
• Art Heals – Art collective featuring original paintings and photography 
• Rosa Adriana – Mexican leather goods
• Mar Boutique – Handmade Mexican candles 
• Agape – Handmade soaps
• Center for the Arts & Visit Laredo information table 

Guided Discussion

Speakers:

• Henry Cuellar, US Congressman for District 28
• Richard Raymond, Texas State Representative
• Don McLaughlin, State Representatives
• JR Treviño, Texas Lyceum President

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Class Dinner or on your own

9:00 PM - 12:00 PM

Hospitality Suite - La Posada Hotel

Friday, February 20, 2026

8:30 AM - 1:15 PM

Breakfast - La Posada Hotel

Welcome Session and Overview

Spotlight IBC Bank

• Speaker: Gerry Schwebel, IBC Bank

Crossroads of Trade: Laredo’s Role in the Food Supply Chain

This session will explore Laredo’s role as a key trade hub in food systems, highlighting its impact on regional and statewide economies. The Port of Laredo is not just a goods conduit but a vital part of a binational food system, connecting Mexican producers to American consumers. The discussion will cover the economic effects of the port, including job creation, price stabilization, and overall economic vitality for Texas and Mexico. An expert panel will address the logistics, policy, and innovation needed to maintain the resilience and efficiency of this border hub, emphasizing its importance in bridging borders and fostering economic opportunities.

• Moderator: Josh Winegarner, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Lyceum Class of 2021

  Speakers:

• Dante Galeazzi, Texas National Produce Association
• Skip Hulett, NatureSweet
• Brian Jones, Texas Farm Bureau

• Speaker: Daniel Covarrubias, TAMIU

Feeding Resilience: Building Healthier, Self-Reliant Communities

This discussion will examine the links between diet, health, economic opportunity, and community strength, aiming to establish a food system where healthy food access is a right. Key topics include community-based initiatives, urban farming, and local production to combat food insecurity. The focus will shift from mere access to ensuring wellness and nourishment for all. We'll explore models that create jobs, retain capital locally, and enhance community resilience, highlighting the connection between food choices, agricultural practices, and community economic vitality.

• Moderator: Jesse Ozuna, Texas Regional Bank, Lyceum Class of 2024

Speakers:

• Marcella Juarez, Palo Blanco Farm and Ranch
• Stephen Lucke, Gardopia Gardens

Food Security is National Security

The U.S. has a strong agricultural sector, with Texas as the third-largest state for agriculture, but still relies on significant food imports. This session will explore the reasons for food imports, the types of food grown, imported, and exported, and the economic implications for national food security. It will emphasize the benefits of enhancing local production as a defense against food insecurity and advocate for building self-reliant, equitable food economies. The discussion aims to examine how stronger local and cross-border food networks can boost economic resilience and support healthier communities.

• Moderator: Neel Gonuguntla, SriSN Services, LLC, Lyceum Class of 2025

Speakers:

• David Austin, UN World Food Program
• Jeremy Everett, Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty (BCHP)
• Hilda Gutierrez, Feeding Texas

Lunch

Fellow Session- Food Access in Texas: Understanding Food Deserts and Local Solutions 

• Speaker: Henry Flowers, Texas Tech University

Break

Excursions 

• Port of Laredo - Walkable from the hotel - up to 40 attendees

• L&F Tour- Shuttle from the hotel - up to 40 attendees

• Mission Produce - Shuttle from the hotel - up to 15 attendees

Mission Produce is a leading distributor of avocados and mangoes and provider of warehousing services to NatureSweet, a major greenhouse vegetable company. Participants will tour Mission Produce's cross border operations and value add-services, which include ripening, bagging and repackaging operations.

Guidelines:

• A light jacket is advised (temperatures range between 40-55 degrees)
• No shorts, capri pants, skirts, high heels or open toe shoes.
• No acrylic nails, jewelry or watches
• PPE (vests, hairnets and beard nets) will be provided prior to entry into food safe spaces.

Break 

Travel to Dinner 

Dinner -  Ranch

Fireside Chat 

• Moderator: Josh Winegarner, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Lyceum Class of 2021

Speakers:

• Dan Hunter, Farm Service Agency
• Al Zapanta, US Mexico Chamber of Commerce

9:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Hospitality Suite - La Mina

Saturday, February 21, 2026

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Abrazo Bridge Ceremony - Registration mandatory

• Badges Distribution - La Posada Hotel
• PASSPORT IS MANDATORY

9:00 AM-9:30 AM

Breakfast - La Posada Hotel

9:30 AM - 11:30 PM

Board of Directors Meeting