A Voice for Agriculture.

The theme that Jeff Nalley chose for this year's convention, "NAFB: A Voice for Agriculture" is well suited for today's agribusiness environment. Unfortunately, in this fast-paced world, the mainstream media overlooks agriculture. But, America's farm broadcasters are the Voice for Agriculture.

Farm broadcasters' relationships with listeners are the envy of other media. Farm broadcasters are a part of producers' and agribusiness members" lives. Farm broadcasters provide news, markets and weather on a timely basis, and listeners' daily schedules are set by what they hear from their farm broadcasters. We cover the events that are a priority for our audience--from local to international news. NAFB members broadcast more than 200 hours each day and more than 4,600 remote broadcasts per year. We visit nearly 2,000 farms a year, more than 1,300 county fairs and attend more than 3,500 farm shows. On any given day, farm broadcasters generate more than 2,900 stories. Add all the miles driven to cover events such as these and more, and farm broadcasters travel more than 2 million miles annually. No one else in ag media can make these claims. That's why farm broadcasters are a voice for agriculture.

This year's convention brings a new element with our "New Realities" session on Wednesday. Thursday, it's the continued tradition of "Trade Talk," along with an afternoon session of promotions that work. Friday's newsmakers session is a first, offering a live broadcast for members with invited guests from USDA, plus the House and Senate Ag Committees. Saturday morning's professional improvement session examines the need for communication with consumers and their perceptions. We'll wrap up on Saturday with the president's reception and banquet.

Whatever your involvement, this year's NAFB convention will reaffirm that NAFB is a voice for agriculture.

2003 NAFB CONVENTION OVERVIEW
Kansas City, Mo.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 12

8:00 a.m.            Trade Talk setup
9:00 a.m.            New Realities part II
3:00 p.m.            Marketing & Promotions
                       Committee meeting I
5:30 p.m.            Vice president's reception
7:30 p.m.            Past president's banquet

THURSDAY, NOV. 13

7:00 a.m.            Continental breakfast
7:00 a.m.            New member breakfast
8:00 a.m.            Trade Talk opens
11:30 a.m.           Buffet luncheon
1:30 p.m.            New member orientation
2:30 p.m.            General session
3:45 p.m.            Marketing & Promotions
                       Committee meeting II
5:30 p.m.            NAFB Foundation auction/
                       reception
7:00 p.m.            Opening banquet

FRIDAY, NOV. 14

7:00 a.m.            Continental breakfast
8:00 a.m.            General session
9:00 a.m.            Newsmakers session
11:30 a.m.           Awards luncheon
2:00 p.m.            Associate members session
2:00 p.m.            Voting members session
4:00 p.m.            Regional meetings
5:45 p.m.            President-elect's reception
6:30 p.m.            NAFB banquet
8:30 p.m.            Entertainment
9:30 p.m.            Blues bash

SATURDAY, NOV.15

8:00 a.m.            Continental breakfast
9:00 a.m.            Professional improvement
Noon                 Scholarship luncheon
2:00 p.m.            Spouses program
2:00 p.m.            Voting members session
3:00 p.m.            Associate members sports bar
6:00 p.m.            President's reception
6:45 p.m.            President's banquet
9:00 p.m.            Presidential celebration

SUNDAY, NOV. 16

8:00 a.m.            Devotional service
9:00 a.m.            NAFB board meeting