2001 AGRI-MARKETING CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW.

Conference Attendees Reach New Heights

The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) battled blizzards, April 11-13 in Denver, Colorado to hold the annual Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show. Participants struggled with Mother Nature to reap the benefits of Reaching New Heights. Attendees were able to enjoy the keynote speaker presentations, the Best of NAMA/ Golden ARC awards ceremony, networking sessions, professional development seminars and the Trade Show.

The opening general session kicked off the professional development portion of the conference with Matthew Sanders, Forrester Research. Sanders discussed how on-line trade is going to change the nature of agriculture, what the net is doing to drive the emergence of new business models, where we are today in agriculture and e-commerce, and what the key drivers are in the adoption of e-commerce on a global, country and industry basis. Sanders, analyst for Forrester Research, says the net is not just an additional channel of communication, it is a standard based platform for communication. "This is because the net is instantaneous, many people can trade at once and it is always on," says Sanders.

The second general session featured two speakers, Roger Dawson of The Power Negotiating Institute and Michael Cox of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Dawson's presentation focused on the strategies and tactics that enable us to persuade others in virtually any situation. Cox talked about the economic revolution and what the future holds for existing industry. He showed how the rapid technological progress we are experiencing makes tomorrow a different world.

Adventurer Dr. Jeff Salz closed the 2001 Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show on an inspirational note. He showed attendees that when they choose to affect change, life becomes an adventure and their vision becomes a creative force inspiring everyone around them. Dr. Salz offered insight to guide participants through the uncertainties of a changing world and provided inspiration to each participant so they could chart their course, reach their goals and turn each day into a "peak experience."

The Best of NAMA/Golden ARC Awards Ceremony honored the best in agri-marketing, advertising and public relations. Colle & McVoy Marketing Communications and Agriliance earned the Best of Show -- Advertising accolades for their new product introduction of Soybean-based Barrier, while Farmland Industries and their in-house agency took home the Best of Show -- Public Relations for their entry educating audiences about international trade issues.

Two new awards were featured at this year's conference. Honored with the NAMA Marketer of the Year Award was Wendell Knehans with Monsanto -- Corn States and Emmett Barker, Equipment Manufacturers Institute, was given the honor of the Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award.

About 70 booths lined the Trade Show area this year, featuring products and services offered in the industry. The Agribusiness Educational Foundation (ABEF) Silent Auction and the Rolex watch raffle also held in the Trade Show raised over $47,000 for ABEF which funds the Student NAMA Careers Program.

Watch for a summary of the conference student activities in next month's issue of the National NAMA News.

2001 Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show Snapshots

1 Best of Show winners pose with their awards. Pictured from left to right: David Eaheart, Seaboard Farms and Best of NAMA vice chair; Sarah Schmidt, Farmland Industries; Ray Klempka, Colle & McVoy; Donna Tweeten, Meyocks & Priebe and Best of NAMA Chair.

2 At the Chapter President's Workshop NAMA Leaders assembled an Easter bonnet to demonstrate member value. Pictured is Jeff Tennant from Farm Progress Companies.

3 Jill Greene, Meyocks & Priebe Advertising and 2000-2001 NAMA president passes the gavel (among other things) to Marjory Walker, National Cotton Council and 2001-2002 NAMA president.

4 The ABEF Rolex Watch Raffle raised over $6,500. Pictured here with the Rolex is NAMA executive vice president Eldon White and Dennis Erpelding, Elanco Animal Health, winner of the watch.

5 Wendell Knehans, director of Corn States for Monsanto received the first NAMA Marketer of the Year award. Jill Greene, Meyocks & Priebe Advertising and 2000-2001 NAMA president presented him with the award.

6 The ABEF Silent Auction featured items ranging from art of media packages and raised over $40,000 to benefit the Student Careers Program.

7 The Agri-Marketing Conference Trade Show featured over 70 booths marketing goods and services to attendees.

Agribusiness Fourm Features Expanded Programing

This year the NAMA Issues Forum has been expanded into a new format. The first such event, the Agribusiness Forum will be held October 8-10 in Washington, D.C. The new format will give an opportunity for more dialogue on issues and emerging trends effecting agribusiness.

"The goal of the Agribusiness Forum is to make a stronger, mid-year meeting, similar to the Agri-Marketing Conference where there are general sessions and track programming targeted more to the interests of members by industry type," said Monte Reese, chief operating officer of the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board and chair of the first Agribusiness Forum.

The other significant change from the NAMA Issues Forum will be the timing. The Agribusiness Forum will be held in October rather than mid-September. "We consulted various industry calendars and also our own members and leadership to determine the best timing for the event," Reese explained.

The Forum will include additional features such as the Executive Management Roundtable involving senior management in agribusiness companies who will interact with the forum participants and speakers. In addition, various NAMA councils such as the Agribusiness Internet Advertising Council, Commodity Promotion, Agri-Broadcast Management Council and the Agricultural Relations Council will hold meetings for discussion on issues of interest to council members.

Hotel Information Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill 400 New Jersey Ave., NW Washington, DC 20001 [phone]

NAMA EVENT CALENDAR

June 17

Iowa Chapter Field to Food Run

June 28

Mo-Kan Chapter Golf Outing Smithfield, Missouri Contact: Mark Gipple, Beck Ag Com, [phone] or e-mail [e-mail]

July 2

North Central Chapter Golf Outing

July 11

Midlands Chapter Golf Outing Elkhorn, Nebraska Contact: Judy Mauch at [phone] or e-mail to [e-mail]

July 19

Badger Chapter Golf Outing

October 8-10

Agribusiness Forum Washington, D.C.

Check the NAMA Web site for updated program information www.nama.org.