NAMA members keep it fresh in San Diego. (2003 Agri-Marketing Conference).

Beautiful San Diego hosted the 2003 Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show, April 15-17. The theme for this year's conference was "Keep it Fresh" and attendees were able to do that in spite of the intermittent rain.

This year's conference was a mix of awards, networking, professional development, trade show exhibits and even golf.

Some attendees came in a day early to participate in the ABEF Golf Outing, April 14 at the Eastlake Country Club. Over 50 golfers participated in the outing that raised over $5,000 for the Agri-Business Educational Foundation. Participants braved the weather, getting rained out after 12 holes.

Taking first place in the outing was foursome Matt Herman, Farm Journal Media; Andy Grobengieser, New Holland and Will Murphy, Farm Journal Media. The second place foursome consisted of Dave Knau, Pioneer Hi-Bred International; Bob Brunker, McCormick Company; Chuck Roth, Farm Progress Companies; and, Susie Decker, Farm Progress Companies.

Golfers had a chance to dry out at the reception later that evening where the awards were presented.

The Agri-Marketing Conference officially kicked off with the NAFB welcome reception in the trade show. This was followed by the finalist's reception and the Best of NAMA Golden ARC Awards Ceremony, which honored the best in agricultural advertising and public relations. This year marked the second year for eight new specialty categories in the Companion Animal and Turf and Ornamental areas.

Best of Show awards were presented in three areas and this year, one agency took home two Best of Show Awards. Pharmacia Animal Health and Morgan&Myers earned the Best of Show Advertising Award for the EaziBreed CIDR Launch; Altria Corporate Services and Morgan&Myers earned the Public Relations award for the Altria Shared Solutions Campaign; and Pfizer Antibiotics and Colle+McVoy earned the first Specialty Best of Show award for advertising for the Pfizer AIF lines.

The NAMA Marketer of the Year Award was also presented at the Best of NAMA Ceremony. This year's recipient is James Seaver with AGCO. This award was made possible through the sponsorship of John Deere. The Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award was presented during the opening general session to Richard Clauss of the Hilmar Cheese Company.

Kicking off the opening general session of the conference was Dr. Kevin Freiberg, business consultant speaker/trainer and co-author of NUTS! Southwest Airlines' Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success. Dr. Freiberg updated the Southwest story since his book and both educated and entertained the audience with examples and advice on making your business successful.

Other professional development opportunities including keynote sessions and breakout sessions in the areas of Marketing Communications, Product/Species Management, Public Relations and Sales.

New this year, was the Ag Industry Executive Forum which featured a panel of leading agribusiness CEO's including Trevor Thorley with Valent; Bill Jones, Jones & Associates; and Richard Clauss, Hilmar Cheese Co. The panel members addressed questions from the audience and from questions that were pre-submitted via the conference registration information. The panel was moderated by John Fingan with Beck Ag Com, Inc.

This year's conference closed with a brunch where the featured speaker was Dr. Will Miller, an ordained minister, trained psychotherapist and stand-up comedian. His presentation kept attendees laughing until the end.

Every year at the Agri-Marketing Conference, professionals gather to explore the latest in techniques, trends and services. The Trade Show is an integral part of this event. Agri-marketing professionals from agribusiness and related companies attended the show, which included over 50 booths, to observe the latest in products and services as well as enjoy the many receptions and the mexican fiesta luncheon.

Added to the Trade Show this year was the Best Booth Judging. Attendees could vote in the following areas: which booth best illustrated the conference theme "Keep It Fresh"; which booth had the most creative approach; and which booth was most inviting. Congratulations go to Malcolm Media for the "Keep It Fresh" theme;Ag Publications Summit for the most creative approach and AgriAmerica Network for the most inviting booth.

In addition to the first Golf Outing, ABEF and the Silent Auction in the Trade Show, a Live Auction was also added this year and together the auctions raised over $30,000 for the Student Careers Program. Items in the Silent and Live Auction ranged from framed prints to wine to weekend stays in San Diego and at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri's Ozark Mountains to mini refrigerators.

Prior to and during the conference students sold raffle tickets for a $1,000 shopping spree to the store of your choice. The drawing of this raffle takes place during the Silent Auction closing. This year's raffle winner was Grant Heilman, Grant Heilman Photography, but instead of keeping the $1,000, Heilman turned around and gave the money back to the school that sold him the ticket, Virginia Tech.