Keynote speaker Erik Wahl encouraged cattlemen to "break outside of business as usual” to create new opportunities and become stronger through failure at the Opening General Session of the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention & National Cattlemen’s Beef Assn. (NCBA) Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas.  

Wahl’s unique presentation captivated the thousands of attendees, with the internationally-recognized graffiti artist using paintings created onstage to help share his message of creativity through innovations and the ability to conquer fear. His entertaining presentation has been shared with some of the country’s largest and most influential companies over the past 10 years.

“How are you going to reignite your artistry as a cattle rancher?” Wahl asked the audience. “We were always taught to be risk averse. But you need to unlock your minds to find ways to go back on the offensive to build consumer trust and loyalty. You need to see the world through different eyes.”

Wahl said cattlemen should “not be afraid to fail. Not be afraid to risk.” He used on-stage paintings to demonstrate how he had created his own art and revealed breakthrough pockets of opportunity.