What the KLA Convention and Expo Is
The Kansas Livestock Association Convention and Expo is the yearly gathering of Kansas cattle feeders, stockgrowers, dairy producers and the businesses that serve them. It combines the Cattlemen's Banquet and live auction, a market outlook session called Beef Industry University, committee and council meetings where KLA policy is shaped, an industry trade show, and a membership breakfast where members ratify policy and elect the next president. The 2026 convention is November 18-20 at the Manhattan Convention Center and the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan.
Registration Options for 2026
| Option | Price through Oct. 30 | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Full registration | $240 | All convention activities and meals |
| Wednesday only | $75 | Welcome Reception, Branding Party, Cattlemen's Banquet |
| Thursday only | $125 | Breakfast, Beef Industry University, lunch, KLA evening social |
| Thursday meetings only | $0 | Meetings, no meals |
| Friday only | $60 | Membership Breakfast, CattleFax update, business meeting |
After October 30, full registration rises by $20 and single days rise by $15 per day. Refunds go only to registrations cancelled by October 30. Register online at kla.org, mail the printable form with a check payable to KLA, or pay by credit card. Mail to KLA, 6031 SW 37th Street, Topeka, KS 66614, or call (785) 273-5115.
How the Three Days Work
Wednesday
The convention opens with a welcome reception, a new Branding Party and the Cattlemen's Banquet. The Branding Party is hosted by KLA President Ty Breeden to raise scholarship money for the Kansas Livestock Foundation. A brand costs $250, and each brand is burned into a wood block displayed in the KLA office. Participants bring their own branding iron.
The banquet recognizes longtime members and scholarship recipients and includes a live auction. At the 2025 banquet the auction benefited the KLA Political Action Council, the Kansas Livestock Foundation and Ranchland Trust of Kansas.
Thursday
Breakfast, Beef Industry University, lunch and committee and council meetings fill the day, and the evening social closes it. Beef Industry University is the market outlook session; in 2025 it featured Kevin Good of CattleFax with a market outlook covering energy costs, beef exports, competing meat supplies and consumer demand.
Friday
The Membership Breakfast, a CattleFax update and the business meeting. In 2025 members approved two new policies, Ty Breeden was sworn in as president, and members chose Jeff George, a cattle feeder from Garden City, as president-elect.
Where to Stay
| Hotel | Phone | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Garden Inn (host hotel), 410 S 3rd St | (785) 532-9116 | $135 per night; Friday night $235 |
| Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 115 Blue Earth Place | (785) 320-7454 | $124 per night |
| Bluemont Hotel, 1212 Bluemont Ave. | (785) 473-7091 | $119 per night |
| Courtyard Manhattan Aggieville, 715 North 12th Street | (785) 587-1972 | $145 to $155 per night |
Mention the KLA block when you book. The booking cutoff dates for these blocks have passed, so call the hotel about availability.
Questions
Where is it?
Manhattan Convention Center and Hilton Garden Inn, Manhattan, Kansas.
Is there a trade show?
Yes. The event is called the Convention and Expo, with exhibitors in the convention center hallways. Expo hours have run Wednesday evening, all day Thursday and Friday morning in past years.
Who do I call?
The Kansas Livestock Association at (785) 273-5115.
Official Links
- KLA Annual Convention: dates, hotels, registration
- 2026 registration form: fees and Branding Party
- 2025 banquet announcement
- Beef Industry University 2025
- 2025 policy votes and officers
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- K-State Ag Ed Speech Event
Public speaking event for Kansas FFA students on January 30, 2027 at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan, hosted with K-State Agricultural Education.
- K-State Career Development Events (Kansas FFA State CDEs)
Kansas FFA state Career Development Events are scheduled for May 2-4, 2027 in Manhattan. Chapters compete in judging, evaluation and skills contests; the 2026 round was held May 3-5.
- Kansas FFA State Convention
The 99th Kansas FFA Convention is set for June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan. The 2026 convention ran May 26-29 at McCain Auditorium with a theme of Cultivate. Grow Leaders. Lead Change.
- Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 6-8, 2025 for the 107th meeting. Workshops, a tradeshow, awards banquet and a delegate vote on 2026 policy, with a keynote from the American Farm Bureau president.
- K-State Junior Beef Producer Day
Held each year; the most recent date was March 7, 2026. One-day family program for young cattle exhibitors at the Bilbrey Family Events Center north of the K-State campus in Manhattan.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.