If you’re still trying to decide whether or not to attend the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference, Hot Ideas Sizzling Solutions, in Atlanta, take a look at the registration list and see who you’ll be missing!

Download the registration list at http://www.nama.org/amc/2wkreglist09.pdf to see who’s registered for the Agri-Marketing event of the year.

To register for the conference visit, http://nama.org/amc/2009amc/Default.aspx.
If you registered, but don’t see your name on the list, please contact Linda Schaefer at the NAMA office at lindas@nama.org or call 913-491-6500.

The Atlanta Marriott Marquis is sold out for the night of Thursday, April 16, however, we have secured an overflow hotel at the Hilton Atlanta. The room rate is still $115 and the Hilton is connected to the Marriott Marquis via skywalk. If you are needing a room for any night other than April 17, please contact the Marriott as rooms are still available on the other nights, however, if you will be staying over on Thursday, April 16, call the Hilton.

For more information on the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference visit www.nama.org/amc.

If you’re a golfer, we’ve got a hot idea for you! Don’t miss out on the 2009 ABEF Golf Outing on Tuesday, April 14, prior to the Agri-Marketing Conference.

The golf outing will take place at Stone Mountain Golf Course in Stone Mountain, GA just outside of Atlanta. A chartered bus will leave the hotel at 11:30 a.m. to take everyone to the golf course and a boxed lunch will be provided. Tee time begins at 1:00 p.m. An awards ceremony and reception will cap your sizzling day on the greens.

The sign-up deadline for golfers is Friday, April 3. Cost for the golf outing is $150 and all proceeds will go to the ABEF in support of the Student NAMA Careers Program.

If you’ve already registered for the conference and need to sign up for golf, please visit http://www.nama.org/amc/golfregister.htm to get registered. This is a great opportunity to network and have fun at the same time while supporting a good cause.

Sponsor opportunities are still available as well, please contact Jenny Pickett at jennyp@nama.org or 913-491-6500 for available opportunities.

The 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference is 2 weeks away, but you can get started on who you want to visit in the Connection Point.

Determine where booths will be located and find out more about the exhibiting companies before the event by taking a trip through the Virtual Trade Show at http://www.nama.org/amc/ts/virtual.htm. (Please note: It is best to view the Virtual Trade Show with Internet Explorer.)

We are gathering data from members for two of the breakout sessions at the Agri-Marketing Conference. You do not need to be registered for the conference to take the surveys.

The first survey is for the Social Media DOES Fit In Your Marketing Strategy breakout session, please complete the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=TCwV18y9sPtXQMyWCANt4w_3d_3d.

The next survey is for the Moving From Win-Win to Win-Win-Win with Cause Marketing breakout session. Pleas complete this survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2bttTjLhBQfgruP742fNJ9g_3d_3d.

The NAMA Bombers are back! Mark your calendars for another epic NAMA Bombers National NAMA Ride on Saturday, April 18 after the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference.

New this year, is the launching of the NAMA Bombers Auxiliary for anyone who loves to ride on a bike but doesn’t want to drive one. Auxiliary spots are limited based on riders and willingness to carry a passenger, so sign up early.

If you’re interested in driving or riding, contact Jill “Biker Momma” Wenzel at jill.wenzel@syngenta.com for more information on rentals and the itinerary.

On March 12, members of the MoKan NAMA chapter gave their feedback to students from Kansas State University and Northwest Missouri State University student NAMA chapters.

The student NAMA chapters presented their marketing presentations in preparation for the student NAMA competition in April.The student marketing competition will be held in-conjunction with the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference and will take place on Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 17.

Members of the Badger NAMA chapter got an inside view of the marketing opportunities connected with University of Wisconsin athletics at the “Marketing with the Badgers” meeting February 18 at the Kohl Center.

Jeff Jurgella and David Burgenski with Badger Sports Properties discussed the history of the marketing company’s relationship with UW athletics, starting with Learfield Sports carrying Badger broadcasts on its network to 55 radio stations in Wisconsin.

Starting in 2002, Badger Sports Properties contracted with the university to manage the multi-media marketing of Badger athletics.

Some of the Badger sports marketing opportunities include: signage at the Kohl Center and Camp Randall Stadium; sponsorship of football, basketball and hockey radio broadcasts; special event sponsorship; and web site advertising.

Jurgella said that in making a sales pitch to prospects, Badger Sports Properties spends time with a company to first learn more about the company’s marketing objectives and then return for a second meeting to present the marketing opportunities that will meet their needs.

Tom Thieding, director of marketing with Rural Mutual Insurance, shared why Rural Mutual entered into a two-year radio broadcast sponsorship with Badger Sports Properties. He said the audience demographics of customers matched their marketing targets; the statewide radio network provided a solid vehicle to launch a branding effort; and the ability to co-brand with Badger athletics provided opportunities for the company and agents to market the company using the Badger logos.

NAMA members also got to watch the Badger men’s and women’s hockey teams practice during a reception in the Nicholas Suite in the Kohl Center.