There’s only 2 weeks left to enter your work in the Best of NAMA competition. Entries must be RECEIVED by Friday, October 12.

Entries are sent directly to the NAMA office and judged by industry professionals at a regional level for possible advancement to national competition. A minimum point standard will be used at the regional level. If you place first or merit at the regional competition and score above the minimum point standard, you are eligible to advance to the national competition.

Watch for chapter and regional events in your area. The national awards ceremony will take place April 16, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.

To view the Best of NAMA Call for Entries or download the entry form visit, http://www.nama.org/amc/bon/index.htm.

It’s time to update your membership directory information. If you’ve moved or changed phone numbers, etc., make sure we have your correct information so that you will be listed in our membership directory appropriately.

Just visit the membership directory on the NAMA Web site and check your record, if changes need to be made, simply click the “submit change” button and make any changes you need. The deadline for updating your record is October 12.

To look up your record visit, http://www.nama.org/directory/index.html.

Note: If you are not receiving e-mails from NAMA, check with your company to ensure that we are not in your spam blocker. Don’t miss out on important NAMA e-mails from NAMA or your local chapter!

Did you move to a new company and know of co-workers who would benefit from NAMA? Just send their contact information to Linda Schaefer at the NAMA office at lindas@nama.org and she’ll send them information on NAMA and how to join!

Vidya Jwala, Tractor Supply Company, will explore the elements pulling the chains of today’s retailers at the Closing Session of the 2007 Agribusiness Forum, November 13-14. Learn how longer lead times affect ad in-stock planning and how supply chain directors work with suppliers to utilize “lift” information from advertising.

Vidya Jwala is Director of Supply Chain and Replenishment for the Tractor Supply Company. Prior to that, he held director-level positions with Lowe’s and Jo-Ann Stores, managing their inventory and planning, product flow and replenishment. Jwala has also worked with Arthur Andersen’s Business Consulting in the consumer product goods division. He holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech.

Founded in 1938 as a mail order tractor parts business, Tractor Supply Company (also referred to as TSC) owns and operates more than 698 stores in over 37 states and one Canadian province supplying daily farm and ranch maintenance supplies to a targeted customer base.

Note: The early registration deadline and hotel cut-off date for the Agribusiness Forum is October 29.

To register for the Agribusiness Forum visit, http://payment.nama.org/forum.htm.

For more information on the Forum and the speakers visit, http://www.nama.org/forum/index.html.

The Agri-Business Educational Foundation (ABEF) will again be hosting a Casino Night during the Welcome Reception of the 2007 Agribusiness Forum, Tuesday, November 13 at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds from the Casino Night will benefit the ABEF in support of the NAMA Student Careers Program.

Every Forum attendee will receive a ticket that they can cash in for $5,000 in chips to try their luck at the tables. If attendees don’t do so well, a $20.00 donation to the ABEF at the Casino Cashier or one of the Roaming Cashiers will get them an additional $5,000 in chips.

At the end of the evening, attendees can cash in their chips and winners will be announced at the Wednesday luncheon session. First, second and third place prizes will be given. In addition, for every $1,000 in chips that an attendee turns in, their name will be entered into a drawing for a 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show registration – we’re not pulling your chain!

The only way to win is to come to the 2007 Agribusiness Forum. To register for the entire Forum or just the Casino Night Reception/Best of NAMA Entry Viewing visit http://payment.nama.org/forum.htm.

If you would like to sponsor a Blackjack, Texas hold’em, Craps, or Roulette table during the Casino night, contact Jenny Pickett at 913-491-6500 or via e-mail at jennyp@nama.org.

If your company is looking for a lot of recognition, then have we got the opportunity for you! Lead the Charge by sponsoring an event at the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 16-18, at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.

There are many different sponsorships available. Companies with marketing budgets of all sizes can participate. The higher your support, the more benefits you’ll receive….Platinum Plus, Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze. In addition, you can get more company visibility by claiming one or more of the sponsorship opportunities. These opportunities are available on a first come, first serve basis, with first right given to last year’s sponsor.

Please review the benefits and opportunities of sponsorship at the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference and confirm your interest to Jenny Pickett at (913) 491-6500 or e-mail to jennyp@nama.org.

Sponsorship benefits are available in an Adobe .PDF format at http://www.nama.org/amc/sponsor/benefits.pdf.

Sponsorship opportunities available are also in an Adobe .PDF format at http://www.nama.org/amc/sponsor/opportunities.pdf.

You can also fill out the on-line sponsorship confirmation form at http://www.nama.org/amc/sponsor/form.htm.

We’re open to new, fresh ideas, so if you have an idea for a new sponsorship feel free to contact Jenny to discuss.

Keep in mind that if you become a platinum plus, platinum, or gold sponsor you receive FREE booth space in the Connection Point (Trade Show)!

The Connection Point, the trade show held during the Agri-Marketing Conference, will feature the best products and services supporting the agri-marketing industry. Over 50 booths will offer attendees a chance to see these products and services while networking with other agri-marketing professionals. In addition, many booths will feature giveaways and drawings. Be sure to attend the networking events in the Connection Point.

CONNECTION POINT
Trade Show Hours

Wednesday, April 16
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Best of NAMA Celebration Reception

Thursday, April 17
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. – Connection Point Luncheon
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Break in the Connection Point
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Connection Point Closing Reception/ABEF Silent Auction

Download the Connection Point information sheet in an Adobe .PDF format at http://www.nama.org/amc/ts/promosheet.pdf.

Download the Connection Point sign-up sheet in an Adobe .PDF format at http://www.nama.org/amc/ts/signup.pdf.

To sign up to reserve your booth space now visit, http://www.nama.org/amc/ts/signup.htm.

If you have questions regarding the Trade Show, contact Judy Knoll via e-mail at judyk@agrimarketing.com or call (636) 728-1428 ext. 2002.

There will be a new change at NAMA coming on the horizon and it’s not just our new Executive Vice President/CEO, Jenny Pickett. Watch for a new look to the NAMA Web site coming in November, prior to the Agribusiness Forum. The new web site will be a refreshing change from the current site and will be more helpful for our members and non-members to navigate. We are excited about the new web site and hope that it’s just the beginning of the exciting changes to come at NAMA.