Who's pulling our chain?

Who's pulling our chain

The 2007 Agribusiness Forum will seek to demonstrate some of the elements that affect the way we do business. For example, things that happen on the other side of the world impact how we do business every day, including politics, economics and communications. These things pull our chain. Consumers expect a safe food supply and those expectations pull our chain, or impact the way we do business. Technology also has an impact on perceptions and opportunities for us as marketers. In addition, consumer trust, who they trust and why, right or wrong also pulls at our chain or the way we market and do business.

Many different elements can set off a chain reaction. This fall's Agribusiness Forum, hosted by the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), will give you a glimpse into the role some of these entities play in our day to day business world as we explore who's pulling our chain. Join us November 13-14 in Kansas City as we hear from noted economists, reporters, consumer food experts and more as they set the stage for how your business can face these challenges.

Keynote Speaker

Don Reynolds

International economist Don Reynolds will kick off the 2007 Forum. Reynolds presents a fast-paced overview of major trends in the global economy and how it will impact agriculture. He is a firm believer that globalization will mean a golden age for American agriculture. He will discuss economic trends, currencies, energy, interest rates and the recent volatility in the financial markets and what you do to prepare for this change

Reynolds has served 11 years as Chairman of the Investment Advisory Board of a $22 Billion trust fund, Reynold's success resulted in his being appointed by George W. Bush as Pension Board Chairman with oversight of $120 Billion in Pension & Trust Funds. He understands how important personal accountability and bottom line performance is, and the need for decision makers to have a clear vision of future trends and events in order to make successful long-term strategic decisions.

Reynolds has lived 14 years overseas, visited over 50 countries, has lectured on Free Market Systems at the University of Moscow, spoken about the Global Economy for the Saudi Arabian Central Bank, keynoted the Australian IT Summit, advised the Heavy Equipment Industry in Rome, keynoted for international correspondents in Indonesia and spoken on the impact of global warming in Santiago.

Additional Speakers

Other confirmed speakers for the forum include:

Mary Rosenthal, NatureWorks

Claudia Mobly, Sam Walton College of Business

Center for Retailing

Matt McInney, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Additional speakers will be announced. Check the web for details at www.nama.org.

Awards Luncheon

Join in congratulating the honorees of this year's NAMA Professional Development Awards of Excellence. Each year, NAMA honors members with hands-on responsibility in marketing communications, public relations, product management and sales. Awards will be given in each of these four areas and the recipients will share their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities in agri-marketing.

Registration & Hotel Information

The Agribusiness Forum will take place at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. This hotel is near where the NAFB Convention will be held.

Hyatt Regency Crown Center Hotel

2345 McGee St.

Kansas City, Missouri 64108

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Don't forget to mention NAMA when making your reservation. Rates are $114 for a single/double. The hotel cutoff date is October 29, 2007.

For Forum registration rates or to register, call 913-491-6500 or visit www.nama.org/forum.

Schedule-at-a-Glance

November 13

2-5 p.m.             Welcome/Kick-Off Session
5:30-7:30 p.m.       Welcome Reception

November 14

7:30-8 a.m.          Continental Breakfast
8-11 a.m.            Agribusiness Forum Session
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.    Awards of Excellence
                     Luncheon
1:30-4 p.m.          Agribusiness Forum Session
4 p.m.               Adjourn

Forum Moderator (New!)

This year's forum will be moderated by Jeff Pence, president of Farm Journal Digital Media, which includes the company's internet, television and newsletter businesses.

Prior to Farm Journal Media, Pence was the President and Director of Qualitron Media, a closely held company that produced and distributed the national television programs AgDay and WeekEnd MarketPlace. This business was acquired by Farm Journal in 1998, and he continues senior management responsibilities with the company today.

In his role as forum moderator, Pence will summarize each session and help attendees relate the information to their businesses.

Forum Sponsors

Cattlemen's Beef Board--Kick-off Session

DTN/Progressive Farmer--Welcome Reception (Co-Sponsor)

John Deere Agricultural Marketing Center--Welcome Reception (Co-Sponsor)

Padilla Speer Beardsley--Forum Session

Fastline Publications--Registration Brochure Printing

Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Comm.--Name Badges

Successful Farming & Agriculture Online--Program Booklet Ad

Farm Progress Companies--PDA Awards Program

High Plains Journal--Continental Breakfast (Co-Sponsor)

Hoard's Dairyman Magazine- Continental Breakfast (Co-Sponsor)

Associations, Inc.--Program Booklet--Half Page

Beck Ag, Inc.--Program Booklet--Half Page

Blasdel Cleaver Schwalbe Communications--Forum Registration List Printing

CHS Inc.--Wednesday Morning Refreshment Break

Colle+McVoy--Lanyards

Diamond V--Program Booklet Ad

Natl. Cotton Council of America--Tuesday Break

Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl.--Web Page Banner Ad

McCormick Company--Program Booklet Ad

Ag Speakers Network--Keynote Speaker

Vance Publishing Corp.--Program Booklet Ad