Every year at the Agri-Marketing Conference, professionals gather to explore the latest in techniques, trends and services in the Trade Show. This year, we’ve renamed the Trade Show “Connection Point” because attendees always look forward to reconnecting with longtime friends and meeting new colleagues. In addition, we’ve changed the hours in the Connection Point. The new hours are:

Wednesday, April 19
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. – Welcome Lounge

Thursday, April 20
12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m. – Luncheon
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Closing Reception

Also happening in the Connection Point will be drawings for iPod Shuffles. An iPod Shuffle will be awarded at the end of each session to a trade show attendee. Plus a grand prize drawing for a deluxe model iPod will be held a the end of the trade show (4 drawings). Each booth will have a box for business cards, and they will be collected at the end of each session.

Booth space in the Connection Point is still available. If you would like to purchase a booth, please visit https://nama.org/amc/ts/signup.htm.

If you have questions regarding the Connection Point, contact Diane Johnson via e-mail at dianej@flash.net or call (817) 232-1872.

Wouldn’t you like to have a video iPod? Now’s your chance! New members who join NAMA between January 1 and April 20, 2006 will be entered into a drawing for a 30 GB Video iPod. In addition, existing NAMA members who recruit these new members will also be entered into the drawing.

The drawing for the iPod will take place at the Connection Point Closing Reception on Thursday, April 20. Start recruiting members today and take home your new iPod after the conference.

Special thanks to AgWired.com for sponsoring this promotion!

DuPont Crop Protection and the Agriculture Council of America (ACA) are pleased to announce the national 2006 Ag Day Essay Contest winner, Ashley Julka.

Julka, a 10th grader at Laconia High School, Rosendale, Wis., was named the state winner AND overall national winner of the “Growing Our Energy: Alternative Fuels From Agriculture” themed contest. The following is an excerpt from her essay:

“…By using gasoline-containing ethanol, we’re using homegrown products. Not only does this reduce our dependency on foreign oil, but it also helps the American economy. In Wisconsin alone, ethanol production has gone from zero to 250 million gallons in five years.”

“The topic this year was challenging, yet extremely pertinent to the future of our youth and the success of agriculture,” said Mike Ricciuto, DuPont Crop Protection global communications director. “It is great to see today’s youth have such strong support for the American agriculture industry. Ashley’s entry demonstrated extensive research and understanding of agricultural topics and issues, showing the depth of interest and awareness that she has.”

Julka received a $1,000 prize and was recognized during the March 16 Ag Day Luncheon held at the National Press Club.

Ag Day is a nationally coordinated program that envisions consumers, young and old, talking about agriculture. The contest is sponsored by: DuPont, Case IH, The Council for Agricultural Science & Technology, High Plains Journal, National Association of Farm Broadcasting and National Agri-Marketing Association.

This is the 33rd anniversary of National Ag Day. The goal of the ACA is to provide a spotlight on the agriculture, food and fiber industry the first of each spring (National Ag Day), to help consumers understand not only how food and fiber products are produced, but to celebrate accomplishments in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.

NAMA has set the dates for the NAMA Boot Camp and the fall Agribusiness Forum. Mark your calendars for these must-attend events.

This year’s NAMA Boot Camp will take place August 22-24 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.

The Agribusiness Forum will take place November 14-15 and will also be held at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City. Once again, the Forum will dovetail the Regional Best of NAMA judging and the NAFB convention.

Keep watching the National NAMA e-News for the activities and sessions happening at both events.

Since February 24th we’ve had 30 new members join NAMA! Please welcome…

At Large
Krissy Young, USDA/NASS

CAMA Alberta
Sharon Harold, Farm Business Communications

CAMA Ontario
Andrew Bawden, Farms.com referred by JoAnn Alumbaugh, Farms.com
Denise Hockaday, Monsanto Canada, Inc.

CAMA Quebec
Martin Beaudin, Les Editions Rodgers, Le Bulletin des Agriculteurs

Carolinas/Virginia
Jason Allerding, Syngenta Crop Protection referred by Kim Dawson, Syngenta

Central California
Manoella Alves, Alltech, Inc.
Eivis Quanni-Petrell, Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo

Chesapeake
Sharon Kinsey, Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension

Chicago
Judy Czarnik, Audit Bureau of Circulations

Gateway
Hannah Jackson

Heartland
Claudine Wargel, C.C. Wargel Consulting referred by Jeff Smith, Farm Progress Companies
Eric Olsen, McDaniels Marketing Communications
David Goers, Ross Advertising, Inc. referred by Krista Wolf, GROWMARK, Inc.

Iowa
Seth Crawford, John Deere Ag Management Solutions referred by Kayla Reynolds, John Deere Ag Management Solutions
Roxi Beck, Osborn & Barr Communications

Mid-America
Jeff Peden, PIC USA
Charlene Stott, PIC USA

MidSouth
Mike Lamensdorf, One Grower Publishing

Missouri-Kansas
David Cope, MFA, Inc.
Rob Hannam, AdFarm

NAMA Cal
LeAnne Kenneda, American Ag Credit

North Central
Jodi Johnson, Martin Williams referred by Tim Burke, Martin Williams
Brenda Ruesch, Martin Williams referred by Tim Burke, Martin Williams
Genevieve Mrnak, Martin Williams referred by Tim Burke, Martin Williams
Karen Hoffbeck, Cargill

Northern Prairie
Krystil Smit, South Dakota Corn Utilization Council/Growers Association
Stephanie Renner, LEE Agri-MEDIA

Ohio
Rick Melnick, Meister Media Worldwide

Southwest
Roger Hangriff, Sam Houston State University