Whether you’ve just entered the rough working world or one who’s been through the NAMA Boot Camp drill before, sign up for this program today to learn more about the agri-marketing industry. This year the Boot Camp will take it to a new level expanding on marketing and agriculture basics.
Join the National Agri-Marketing Association for the 9th annual NAMA Boot Camp, August 21-23, 2012 in Kansas City.
All attendees will receive a notebook packed with agricultural terminology, facts, case studies and speaker presentations. This notebook has become one of the most popular aspects of the boot camp experience.
Tuesday, August 21
MoKan Ag Tour (optional)
The tour is an on-farm experience where attendees will tour as well as learn about different operations. The tour includes a trip to Shoal Creek Land and Cattle, Green Dirt Farm, and Jowler Creek Winery, Missouri’s premier sustainable vineyard and winery.
Note: You do not need to be registered for the NAMA Boot Camp to attend the MoKan Ag Tour.
5:00 p.m. – Boot Camp Registration
5:00-6:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception
6:00-7:30 p.m. – Opening General Session – Dinner/Networking
Kick off the Boot Camp with a networking activity designed to help you get to know fellow attendees. This highly interactive session will also help you get more familiar with Ag terms and industry lingo.
Wednesday, August 22
8:00 a.m. – Continental Breakfast
8:30-10:00 a.m. – General Session
Producer Panel
Moderator: Jim Patrico, Senior Editor – Progressive Farmer
Panelists: Reggie Underwood, David Parris, Billy Thiel
Learn how to communicate effectively with producers. The producer panel has become a Boot Camp favorite and attendees won’t want to miss the valuable insights from producers.
Reggie Underwood grew up on a farm in Eastland County Texas. He was involved in all facets; farming, ranching, cow calf operation, and training/roping horses.
In July 2011, Reggie started with SFP. He covers Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Billy Thiel farms with his brother and cousin in Saline County near Malta Bend, Mo. The family operation includes corn and soybeans. Billy is currently president of the Missouri Corn Growers Association and has served as chairman of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council.
10:00-10:30 a.m. – Break
10:30-11:30 a.m. – Breakout sessions (choose one)
Row Crop 101
This highly interactive session will address basics of the row crop industry along with issues and challenges. Hear it straight from the producer.
Deformed Frogs, Oil Spills and Pink Slime: Lessons Learned from a Career in Crisis Management
Daren Williams, NCBA
Every organization will eventually face the moment when something goes wrong, affecting your people, products or reputation. This session will offer practical tips for managing a crisis based on real-life experiences of an ag communicator who has helped manage producer recalls, oils spills, pink slime and the media onslaught that accompanies a crisis.
12:00 Noon-1:30 p.m. – Luncheon
NAMA 101
Panel Members: Liz Suter Van Leer – Osborn Barr, Jeff Hartz – Wyffels Hybrids, Les Kahl – AdFarm
Learn about the basics of the organization from those in the know and who have come up through its ranks. This session will address how to get involved as well as other pertinent inside tips on everything from conferences to preparing your Best Of NAMA entries.
1:30-2:30 p.m. – Breakout sessions (choose one)
Livestock 101
Dr. Dan Thomson, Kansas State University Vet School
This session will address basics of the industry along with issues and challenges.
Dan Thomson, PhD, DVM is the Assistant Dean of Outreach, Professor and the Jones Professor of Production Medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.
Marketing Efforts, the History of the Cooperative
Leslie Kaufman, President/CEO, Kansas Cooperative Council
2012 is the International Year of the Cooperative. Learn about the history and varied marketing efforts employed by cooperatives across the U.S. 
Kaufman will explain the cooperative structure and showcase how cooperatives have carved out a marketing niche through the years.
2:30-3:00 p.m. – Break
3:00-4:00 p.m. – General Session
Social Media: Beyond Facebook and Twitter
Bill Ye, Director of Digital Services, Global Prairie
Social media is not just a digital strategy. It is an integrated communication strategy using new and old mediums. It should be approached like any other 
communication strategy using new and old mediums. This session will show you how to define the business objectives, the audience and message goals, and the key performance indicators – then execute and measure based on timeline and budget.
4:30-6:30 p.m. – Reception at Boulevard Brewery
A shuttle will take attendees to a special reception at Kansas City’s own Boulevard Brewery. Founded in 1989, Boulevard Brewing Company has grown to become the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest. The reception will take place in the beautiful Heim Room that features a unique view of the Kansas City skyline.
Thursday, August 23
8:30 a.m. – Breakfast
9:00-10:00 a.m. – General Session
The Importance of the Media Mix
Bob Brunker, J.L. Farmakis
Lannie Dawson, Broadhead
Utilizing the right media is critical to reaching your target customer. What’s the right mix, and what’s the best use for each type of media? Learn more about how producers utilize media for their farming operations to make the most of your marketing efforts.
10:00-10:15 a.m. – Break
10:15-11:30 a.m. – Closing Session
From the Farm and Back Again – Ag Careers On & Off the Family Farm
Moderator: Curt Blades – Successful Farming
Panelists: Janell Aust – Aust Farms, Michael Berry – SFP, Colleen Gerke – Jowler Creek Winery
This session will take a look at careers on and off the family farm from the perspective of those who have done both. Each of these panel members has had a career on both sides of the fence or has juggled both at one time or another.
Janell Aust has more than 20 years of journalism and public relations experience. Most recently, she led the public relations team at McCormick Company.
Janell and her husband Brad also own and operate a diversified farming operation of soybeans, corn, wheat, sorghum and cattle south of Kansas City where they are raising their two daughters.
Michael Berry brings experience in agricultural marketing and farming operations to his role as brand manager with SFP. Berry earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and advertising from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Berry also is a member of the National Agri-Marketing Association and has served as a chairman on several other organizational committees.
Colleen Gerke grew up in the heart of California’s Central Coast in Santa Maria, Calif. She graduated from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo in 2000 with a degree in Agricultural Science.
From January 2003 through December 2007, she worked as a team lead in the advertising department for John Deere’s Agriculture Division.
Colleen currently owns and operates Jowler Creek Vineyard and Winery in Platte City, Mo. along with her husband Jason.
Register Today!
For more informatin on the NAMA Boot Camp and hotel information visit http://www.nama.org/programs/index.html.
To register for the NAMA Boot Camp and/or the MoKan Ag Tour, please visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=45.
If you are interested in sponsoring a session or event at the NAMA Boot Camp, please fill out the sponsorship confirmation form at www.nama.org/programs/bootcamp-spo.htm or contact Jenny Pickett at 913-491-6500 or via email at jennyp@nama.org.
