Agribusiness: Under Construction.

The National Agri-Marketing Association's Issues Forum featured talented presenters in the areas of Consumerism, E-Commerce and Globalization. More than 175 attendees heard from experts across the country Sept. 13-15 in St. Louis.

The event kicked off with Monte Hemenover's discussion of Forces Shaping the Reconstruction of Agribusiness. He began by saying "We will see more change in the next five years than we have in the past 20 years." And he identified the challenge to all professionals is to be "open minded and be a change maker, not a change taker." He added that agriculture has a great opportunity right now to be a change maker, and that "change is an opportunity in disguise."

Hemenover also discussed technology and how it will affect agriculture in the future, how to satisfy the consumers and ECommerce. He said "The currency of now and the future is not money, it's time."

The educational sessions provided attendees with information on the three areas of Consumerism, E-Commerce and Globalization. Linda Golodner with the National Consumers League reviewed a recent survey asking what concerns consumers most. The responses were the failure of companies to live up to the claims made in advertising and misleading packaging and labeling.

Scott Kirsner, contributing editor to FastCompany, Wired, Boston Magazine and the Boston Globe, explained that doing business on the Internet is just one more way of doing business with customers. "The web compliments phone, fax, and face-to-lace business."

Speaking on globalization, Kerrie Keeler stated "Agribusiness in North America is a mature market. So companies are looking overseas to expand revenue and have a broader reach to maintain their dynamic companies." Keeler is with John Deere Company in China, South America, Australia and Mexico.

Other activities included receptions, leader meetings, council meetings and gatherings, and awards presentations. The Ag Communicators, Jack Odle, Progressive Farmer, Kip Pendleton, DirectAg.com and John Finegan, Beck Ag Com, were honored during a luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 14.