2004 Agribusiness Forum proves successful.

This year's Agribusiness Forum featured industry experts from inside and outside the agricultural community. Individual speakers and panels explored the consumer landscape, providing excellent insight for agri-marketing professionals desiring a leading role in this sector.

Approximately 200 attendees participated in the 2004 Agribusiness Forum that was held November 16-17 in Kansas City. The 2004 Forum took place just prior to the NAFB Convention.

"When our truly top notch program Committee began working on the Forum content we elected to design a program that helps prepare today's Ag marketer for tomorrow's Ag environment ... we wanted both the vision and the competencies needed to prepare for and capitalize on the vision," says John Finegan, CEO of Beck Ag Com, Inc., and chair of this year's Agribusiness Forum Committee.

Initial feedback from the event indicates that it was the strongest Agribusiness Forum yet.

"From the many comments I received after the Forum, it appears we accomplished our goal. I've had a dozen or more attendees say that this was the best NAMA Forum they've ever attended," says Finegan.

Kicking off this year's Forum was the first annual ABEF Putt Putt Golf Tournament on November 16 which raised over $5,000 for ABEF.

All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Agri-Business Educational Foundation (ABEF) in support of the NAMA Student Careers Program.

In addition, four Professional Awards of Excellence were given out. Neil DeStefano, FMC Corporation received the award for Marketing Communications; Wendy Elliott, Pfizer Animal Health received the Product/ Species management award; Kendal Frazier, National Cattlemen's Beef Association received the Public Relations award; and Allen Barkve, Primedia Business Magazines & Media received the Sales award. Select sessions from the Agribusiness Forum will be available on the NAMA Learning Center www.namalearningcenter.org.