Revered farm broadcaster and long-time member of the NAFB family, William (Bill) Alford, 81, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Saturday, Feb. 16 following a brief illness.

Bill may be best known for his 24-year career at WMT AM/FM/TV in Cedar Rapids, where he was a popular farm broadcaster and farm editor. His dedication and passion for his work led to his induction into the WMT Radio Hall of Fame.

Born Feb. 4, 1927, in Fargo, N.D., to Ernest and Tressie Alford, Bill grew up on the Alford Guernsey Dairy Farm, which provided the foundation for a lifelong career in farm broadcasting (radio and TV) and sales.

Bill served with the U.S. Army paratroops occupation forces in Japan after World War II. He graduated from Iowa State University (ISU) in 1951 with a journalism degree. He was editor of the ISU Daily and named “Most Likely to Succeed” in his graduating class.

His farm broadcasting career began at WOI AM/FM/TV, Ames, Iowa, where he worked as an assistant to R.C. “Cap” Bentley, and reported market news on radio and TV. From there he moved to Amherst to work as the extension radio and TV editor for the University of Massachusetts Extension Service. He spent two-and-a-half years supplying a daily tape service to 14 New England radio stations and commuted to Boston for a weekly farm television show on WBZ-TV. His broadcast career then took him to Cincinnati where he worked for Bob Miller on WLW and “Everybody’s Farm” before joining WMT in 1957.

Sales claimed his talents in 1964 at WMT and he became National Sales Director. When WMT became part of Orion Broadcasting, Bill was named Ag Sales Director for all four Orion stations in Green Bay, Louisville, Evansville and Cedar Rapids.

In 1981, he became Ag Sales Director for Blair Radio, and finished his career with the Frank Magid & Associates research firm in 1987. He retired at age 62.

Lynn Ketelsen, of the Linder Farm Network, Owatonna, MN, credits his career to Alford, who he said, gave him a chance by awarding him a WMT scholarship. “He was truly a member of the NAFB family,” Ketelsen said. “Bill touched so many people in and out of our industry. It’s hard to assess his contributions right now, there are so many.”

Those contributions include earning national prominence as president of the Iowa chapter and also as national president of the National Agri-Marketing Association.

A member of NAFB since 1953, he was recognized with the Meritorious Service Award in 1974. He remained an active associate member and was elected as Chairman of the Associates several times. He also was on the original NAFB Sales/Marketing Board, leading the development of the first farm listener study conducted by NAFB.

“Bill was one of the finest, most positive and pro-active NAFB marketing pioneers,” said Gene Millard, emeritus member from St. Joseph, Mo. Gene credits Bill for transforming NAFB’s Sales/Marketing Board into a professional marketing organization.

Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn Larson Alford, and three daughters: Linda Fritts and husband, Jack, of Cedar Rapids, Amy Nakai of Plymouth, Minn., and Susan Boeckmann and husband, Neal, of Cedar Rapids. His four grandchildren are Lisa (David) Kesse, Jessica Fritts, David Nakai and Andrea Nakai. Also surviving is his stepmother, Verna Alford.

Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Monday evening, February 18, and funeral services are at 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 19, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Burial will be at noon Wednesday, February 20, at Callender (Iowa) Cemetery.

Memorials contributions can be made to the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy or Camp Courageous.

Donations are needed for the 2008 ABEF Silent Auction, held during the Agri-Marketing Conference, April 16-18 in Kansas City.

Please join your agri-marketing peers in supporting this worthwhile effort by donating to the auction. Fill out the on-line Pledge Form at http://www.nama.org/abef/silentauction/pledgeform.htm to indicate your donation and/or interest in the project by March 21, 2008, to be included in the auction catalog. Any worthwhile product or service will be gratefully accepted.

Please show your support of the ABEF and donate what you can (minimum of $50 value suggested). All proceeds from the Silent Auction support the NAMA Student Careers Program.

Please note that all media and service packages will be auctioned on-line. The on-line auction will take place at the end of March.

For more information on the ABEF and the Silent and On-Line Auctions visit, http://www.nama.org/abef/abef.html.

To make a pledge to the Auction visit, http://www.nama.org/abef/silentauction/pledgeform.htm.

For more information about the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference visit, http://www.nama.org/amc.

NAMA is launching a membership promotion and as a NAMA member we wanted you to be aware.

New members who join NAMA between January 1 and April 7, 2008, will be entered into a drawing for a 8GB iPod NANO.

In addition, existing NAMA members who recruit these new members will also be entered into the drawing. Just make sure when you recruit a member that they put your name in the “referred by” space on the membership application.

The drawing for the iPod will take place at the Connection Point Closing Reception on Thursday, April 17 at the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference, but you need not be present to win.

Start recruiting members today and take home your new iPod after the conference!

Every year at the Agri-Marketing Conference, professionals gather to explore the latest in techniques, trends and services. The Connection Point is an integral part of this event. If your target audience is the agri-marketer, you can’t afford to miss the 2008 Connection Point!

Over 1,200 agri-marketing professionals and students will be in Kansas City, April 16-18. These professionals include:

• Marketing executives from agribusiness companies
• Advertising agency professionals
• Public relations executives
• Media representatives
• Commodity and trade association professionals

These attendees have a significant amount of buying power. They are in charge of, or influence, media and promotions purchases. Getting exposure with these professionals could pay off for your company.

What happens in the Connection Point?

Receptions in the Trade Show
Wednesday, April 16, following the Best of NAMA Ceremony, the Trade Show will open with a Celebration Reception courtesy of DTN/The Progressive Farmer. Thursday evening will be a casual fun reception with roller roping and old time photography courtesy of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB).

Other Events in the Trade Show
In addition to the two receptions in the trade show, there will be a hot breakfast Thursday morning, courtesy of High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal in addition to the luncheon with a Country BBQ theme, courtesy of Truffle Media Networks and a break that afternoon sponsored by Gibbs & Soell with ice cream treats compliments of Hoard’s Dairyman magazine. Don’t forget to grab a cool beverage from the refreshment station courtesy of Farm Business Communications.

Trade Show Drawings
A 7” digital picture frame will be awarded at the end of each session to a trade show attendee. Plus, a grand prize drawing for an iPod NANO will be held at the end of the trade show session. Each booth will be provided a box to collect business cards, and they will be combined at the end of each session.

Virtual Trade Show
As an exhibitor at the Connection Point you will be featured as an exhibitor in the Virtual Trade Show. Trade show attendees can determine where you will be located and find out more about your organization before the event.

Relaxation Station
In addition to participating in the programs and events at the conference, you’ll be busy networking with peers, attending to business matters, etc. So stop by the Relaxation Station in the Connection Point to release any stress and ease any aches and pains. The Relaxation Station is sponsored by Nicholson Kovac.

To sign-up for a Trade Show booth in the Connection Point, visit http://nama.org/amc/ts/signup.htm.

To register for the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference visit http://nama.org/amc/register.html.

The Agri-Business Educational Foundation (ABEF) invites you to the annual golf outing held prior to the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference on Tuesday, April 15. Enjoy networking with your peers on the golf course before the conference begins.

The ABEF Golf Outing will take place at the Falcon Lakes Golf Club in Basehor, Kansas. A chartered bus will leave the Hyatt Regency Crown Center at 11:30 a.m. to take everyone to the golf course. A boxed lunch will be provided. Tee time begins at 1:00 p.m. A golf awards ceremony and reception will follow the outing at the golf course. The price is $125 per golfer.

Falcon Lakes is the newest premiere public course in the Kansas City area. Designed by Carter Morrish, this championship layout was sculpted out of the subtle rolling terrain that is so familiar in the Kansas plains.

ABEF has endorsed a wide array of programs and activities geared at fostering the careers of agri-marketing students. Each program helps meet the unique needs of today’s college students. Through NAMA, ABEF awards over $10,000 in scholarships each year.

To register for the ABEF Golf Outing please visit, www.nama.org/amc/golfregister.htm.

Show your support and sponsor the ABEF Golf Outing! To sign up for a sponsorship on-line visit, http://www.nama.org/amc/golfsponsor.htm or contact Jenny Pickett at 913-491-6500 or via e-mail at jennyp@nama.org.

You may have been to Kansas City before, but we’ve got some new entertainment for you in the downtown area that will help make your trip to the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference even more enjoyable than in past year’s.

The new Power & Light District in downtown Kansas City is an $850 million entertainment district filled with the city’s hottest new restaurants, clubs and shops. It’s the largest new development project in the Midwest-you won’t want to miss it.

About 30 tenants had been announced for the Power & Light District. The 14 already open or scheduled to open before March 10 are marked with an asterisk below:

AMC Mainstreet Theatre will be a six-screen all-digital theater, and AMC Midland Theatre will be a live performance venue. Opening dates not announced.

Angel’s Rock Bar,* a 4,000-square-foot nightclub, is scheduled to open at 1323 Walnut St., on the second level of the Kansas City Live block, on March 7.

Bice Bistro/Bice Cafe/Bice Lounge, with Italian fare, will occupy an 8,700-square-foot space at 14 E. 14th St., at the northeast corner of 14th and Main streets. Opening date not announced.

Bristol Seafood Grill,* an 8,000-square-feet boutique-style restaurant, will open at 51 E. 14th St. between Main and Walnut streets. It is slated to open for dinner on Feb. 26 and for lunch on Feb. 27.

Chefburger,* a 3,300-square-foot, locally owned build-your-own burger joint, is scheduled to open at 1350 Walnut St. on March 6.

Chipotle Mexican Grill,* a 2,400-square-foot fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain, plans to open a location at 1370 Walnut St. the week of Feb. 25.

Cosentino’s Downtown Gourmet Market, a 35,000-square-foot store planned for 10 E. 13th St., is scheduled to open this summer.

Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que,* a 6,300-square-foot, family-oriented chain restaurant with full bar, will open at 131 E. 14th St., between Walnut Street and Grand Boulevard. It is scheduled to open on Feb. 22.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, an 8,400-square-foot operation specializing in international, high-quality handcrafted beers, is scheduled to open at 101 E. 13th St. in early May.

The Fudgery chain plans to open a 1,740-square-foot fudge shop on the west side of Walnut Street between 13th and 14th streets. Opening date not announced.

GNC, a specialty retailer of nutritional products, will open a 1,700-square-foot location on the south side of 12th Street between Main and Walnut streets. Opening date not announced.

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant,* an 8,500-square-foot brewery and restaurant, is expected to open at 100 E. 14th St., on the southwest corner of the Kansas City Live block, on March 10.

Howl at the Moon,* a 4,700-square-foot, dueling piano entertainment concept, opened Friday at 1334 Grand Blvd. on the second floor of the Kansas City Live block.

Jos. A Bank Clothiers, a 4,300-square-foot retailer of men’s clothing, sportswear, footwear and accessories, is scheduled to open on the west side of Main Street between 13th and 14th streets. Opening date not announced.

Latteland Espresso & Tea, a locally owned 1,700-square-foot operation serving coffee drinks, blended iced drinks, fresh fruit smoothies and bakery items, is expected to open at the corner of 12th and Main streets this summer.

Living Room, a seasonal high-end outdoor lounge, is expected to open in the center of the Kansas City Live block courtyard in the spring.

Lucky Strike,* a 20,000-square-foot-plus upscale bowling lounge, is expected to open at 1370 Grand Blvd. in early March.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge, a 6,000-square-foot restaurant and bar specializing in bourbons, will open on the second floor, west side, of the Kansas City Live block. Opening date not announced.

McFadden’s Sports Saloon,* a 6,900-square-foot, sports fueled, Irish-themed pub, opened Nov. 9 at 1330 Grand Blvd.

Mosaic Lounge, with 7,100 square feet, will open at 1331 Walnut St., on the second floor of the Kansas City Live block, facing Grand Boulevard between 13th and 14th streets. Opening date not announced.

Peachtree Restaurant, a 5,481-square-foot comfort/soul food/Southern cuisine restaurant, is expected to open at 14th and Main streets in early April.

Plaza Ford Ideal, a 950-square-foot dry cleaning business, will open on Main Street between 12th and 13th streets. Opening date not announced.

Polished, a 1,195-square-feet nail salon, will open on Main Street between 12th and 13th streets. Opening date not announced.

Raglan Road Irish Pub,* a 10,000-square-foot pub, is scheduled to open the first week of March at 170 E. 14th St.

Rum Shack, a 6,500-square-foot Caribbean-style nightclub, will open on the second floor of the eastern side of the Kansas City Live block. Opening date not announced.

Sprint Studio,* a 5,500-square-foot interactive retail store at 161 E. 14th St., is scheduled to open before the Big 12 tournament in mid-March.

Tangerine, a 7,500-square-foot restaurant formerly announced as ChinaBar, will be in the Kansas City Live block. Opening date not announced.

Ted’s Montana Grill,* a 5,400-square-foot classic American grill with made-from-scratch dishes, is open for lunch and dinner at 101 E. 14th St., at the southeast corner of 14th and Walnut streets.

Tengo Sed Cantina,* a 4,000-square-foot authentic Mexican restaurant and late-night party place, is expected to open at 1330 Walnut St., on the Kansas City Live block, on March 7.

Vinino,* a 3,800-square-foot Italian bistro, opened Nov. 16 at 1320 Grand Blvd.

Be adventurous during your stay and explore Kansas City’s thriving arts and culture scene. From live Broadway-style theatre to several excellent museums, you can fill every evening with casual fun or upscale outings.

For more information on discovering Kansas City, visit the following website’s:

www.visitkc.com
www.crowncenter.com
www.powerandlightdistrict.com

Join your fellow agri-marketers for an interactive panel discussion of the current state of ag advertising at the pre-conference workshop from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16.

Award winning NAMA creative directors will reveal the secrets behind their respective campaigns. You’ll get the inside scoop on concepting, strategic development, media options and client participation.

There will also be lots of great work on display and lots of time to get your specific design and implementation questions answered by the experts.

Tim Naylor, Chief Creative Officer, Yamamoto Moss Mackenzie will moderate this panel discussion. Naylor leads creative efforts for Yamamoto Moss MacKenzie, a Minneapolis branding agency. He has spent three decades doing broadcast, print and interactive for Keebler, Kellogg, Kleenex, Kraft, All-Temperature Cheer, Green Giant, Piper Jaffray, Thermo King, Sub-Zero, Russell, Transamerica, Ameriprise and Farm Plan.

Participants must be registered for the full Agri-Marketing Conference to attend the pre-conference workshop. Separate registration is required, but there is no additional registration fee. To reserve your spot for the Pre-conference workshop visit, www.nama.org/amc/reserveworkshop.html.

To register for the Agri-Marketing Conference visit http://nama.org/amc/register.html.