“The Chesapeake NAMA chapter held its first in a series of webinars in an effort to meet members’ meeting preferences and travel needs,” reports Paul Redhage, Chesapeake program chairman. Joanna Schroeder, director of communications for EPIC, the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council, served as the guest speaker during the event. Ethanol and Agriculture was the topic for the interactive program that included participation by over 25 NAMA members. Microsoft Live Meetings web software allowed Chesapeake and members from several other chapters to log into the visual portion of the presentation and listen and ask questions via an 800-number.

“Since we have Chesapeake members scattered across a six-state area, the webinar approach allows more members to participate who might not be able to travel to a specific event,” Redhage states. “We combine webinars with actual in-person meetings to foster an improved membership experience throughout the year. Our previous in-person meeting was a Tri-NAMA chapter ag legislative update in Washington, DC in October.”

The next webinar is scheduled for Monday, February 4, at 11 am eastern and will highlight a marketing case history success story. The event is open to all NAMA members and guests. If you would like to receive an invitation, please send an email to paul.redhage@fmc.com.

Registration for the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City is now open!

Our Opening General Session for the conference is The Sticky Factor with Dan Heath. Dan is a Consultant to the Policy Programs for the Aspen Institute. He is the co-author of the book Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, which has been a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and BusinessWeek bestseller. Dan is also a columnist for Fast Company magazine, and he has spoken and consulted on the topic of “making ideas stick” with organizations such as Microsoft, Nestle, the American Heart Association, Nissan, and Macy’s. In addition, we will also honor this year’s recipient of the Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award (nominations due by January 15).

Our Second General Session is We Are More Powerful Than Me with Barry Libert. Barry is the CEO of Shared Insights, LLC. Shared Insights owns and operates business communities that enable enterprises and their professionals to communicate and collaborate in order to make better decisions based on the experience of peers, experts and leading industry vendors.

Libert was previously employed by Arthur Andersen, John Hancock and McKinsey & Company. He has also founded and sold two successful businesses that he co-founded. Mr. Libert has written two business books on the value of information and relationships; published numerous articles including those that have been published in Newsweek, Smart Money, Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, and has appeared on CNN, CNBC and FNN. He has spoken at more than 100 events worldwide, to more than 20,000 people, on the value of information and relationships in business. At this session we will also recognize the NAMA Marketer of the Year and the recipients of the NAMA Leader Awards.

More information on the conference will be available soon…keep checking the conference web site at www.nama.org/amc.

To register for the conference now, visit http://www.nama.org/amc/register.html.

Hotel Information
The Hyatt Regency Crown Center is now taking reservations for the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 16-18, 2008 in Kansas City.

The hotel deadline for making reservations is March 25, 2008. Reservations made after this date are subject to higher rates and potential unavailability. Make sure you mention “NAMA” when making reservations. All reservation requests will require a credit card guarantee or one night’s deposit. Deposits will be refunded by the hotel for rooms cancelled more than three (3) days prior to arrival.

Room rates for the conference are:

$129 single
$129 double
$154 triple
$179 quad

When making your reservations please specify whether you are an agri-marketing professional or a student as there are different room blocks set up for each.

Professionals – to make your hotel reservations on-line visit, http://crowncenter.hyatt.com/groupbooking/mkcrknaag2008.

Students – to make your hotel reservations on-line visit, http://crowncenter.hyatt.com/groupbooking/mkcrknaas2008.

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.

Some of the sponsorship opportunities that are left include:

Senior Management Workshop – $5,000
Trade Show Closing Reception – $5,000
Trade Show Refreshment Station – $2,000
Program Guide Ad Full Page – $2,000
Program Guide Ad ½ page – $1,000
Speaker Audio Recording – $1,000
Student Mentor Luncheon – $1,000
Breakout Sessions – $750 ea.
Program Guide Ad ¼ page – $500
Welcome to KC Banner – $200

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.

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

For a complete list of sponsors, visit http://www.nama.org/amc/sponsor/sponsors.htm.

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 Pickett at jennyp@nama.org or call 913-491-6500 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 regional and chapter Best of NAMA ceremonies are just around the corner. These ceremonies are celebrations of those entries that won first or merit in the regional competition that took place in November. To register for a regional banquet visit, http://www.nama.org/amc/bon/register.htm. To register for a chapter banquet, please see that chapters’ information page.

Information for the regional/chapter ceremonies is below:

January 10 – Region III Best of NAMA Ceremony
This ceremony will take place at The Metropolitan Ballroom and Clubroom in Golden Valley, MN. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the awards presentation at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $65. For more information on the event visit, http://www.nama.org/amc/bon/region3.htm.

January 17 – MidSouth Best of NAMA Ceremony
Stay tuned for more information on the MidSouth Best of NAMA Ceremony.

January 17 – Region IV Best of NAMA Ceremony
The Region IV ceremony will take place at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, WI. The ceremony will start with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the awards presentation at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $65 per person. For more information visit, http://www.nama.org/amc/bon/region4.htm.

January 22 – Region II Best of NAMA Ceremony
This ceremony will take place at The VooDoo Lounge in Harrah’s Casino in North Kansas City, MO. The event will begin with a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the awards presentation at 7:00 p.m. Cost for the event is $65 per person. For more information visit, http://www.nama.org/amc/bon/region2.htm.

January 31 – Carolinas/Virginia Best of NAMA Ceremony
This event will take place at the NC State University Club in Raleigh, NC. The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. For more information visit, http://www.nama.org/amc/bon/carvir.html.

Entries that win first or merit at the regional competition and score above the minimum point standard are eligible to advance to the national competition in February. Winners of the national competition will be announced at the national Best of NAMA ceremony which kicks off the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference, Leading The Charge, April 16, in Kansas City, MO.

It’s beginning to look a lot like conference around the NAMA office. We’ve had more sponsor and trade show booth sign-ups than this time last year! Now those are companies that are Leading The Charge!

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)!

For information on the Trade Show (Connection Point) visit http://www.nama.org/amc/ts/connection.htm.

To sign up for Trade Show booth space on-line visit, http://www.nama.org/amc/ts/signup.htm.

Speaker information for the conference is coming soon! Stay tuned to http://nama.org/amc for the latest conference information!

The deadline for submitting nominations for the Agribusiness Leader and NAMA Marketer of the Year awards is January 15. Both awards will be presented at the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 16-18 in Kansas City.

Agribusiness Leader of the Year
The Agribusiness Leader of the Year award recognizes leadership achievement in agriculture and the food and fiber industry. This award honors an outstanding leader in agribusiness, education, government service or other agribusiness related areas. Solicited from senior level position holders in private, public or academic service, nominees should exemplify excellence in agribusiness by their significant contributions to the industry. Nominees do not need to be NAMA members.

Fill out the nomination form on-line now at http://www.nama.org/awards/agribusinessform.htm. Or download the Agribusiness Leader Nomination form in an Adobe .PDF format by visiting, http://www.nama.org/awards/agbusapplication.pdf.

NAMA Marketer of the Year
NAMA recognizes its active members with senior management of marketing and/or sales responsibilities with the NAMA Marketer of the Year award. This award is the most prestigious honor awarded to an active member of the association and honors outstanding accomplishments in the field of agri-marketing directly to ag producers. Nominees are solicited from agribusiness and related companies with overall marketing and/or sales responsibilities. Nominees MUST be NAMA members.

Fill out the nomination form on-line now at http://www.nama.org/awards/namamarketerform.htm or download the NAMA Marketer of the Year nomination form in an Adobe .PDF format by visiting, http://www.nama.org/awards/mktrapplication.pdf.

NAMA would like to welcome Susie Decker, Farm Progress Companies, Robert Ratliff, ProfitableFarming.com, and Jane Allman, Cargill, to the Executive Committee.
The members of the 2008 Executive Committee include:

President
Patty Travis, 5MetaCom

President Elect
Carol Anderson, Anderson/Fallon

Secretary/Treasurer
Susie Decker, Farm Progress Companies

Members
Jane Allman, Cargill
Robert Ratliff, ProfitableFarming.com
Vicki Henrickson
Kyle Bauer, KFRM Radio
Beth Burgy, Broadhead+Company
Barry Nelson, John Deere