The NAMA Northern Prairie chapter held its first event of the year at the Big Iron Farm Show in West Fargo, North Dakota, on September 9. About 40 people from North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota braved cold temperatures and heavy rain as NAMA Northern Prairie used the reception to push forward with its initiative to relaunch the association in an area that is home to a robust and diverse ag economy. The response was outstanding and reflected a strong interest in renewing NAMA as a source for information, education, and professional growth.

The event was co-hosted with Minnesota Agri-Growth Council, an advocacy group supporting Minnesota’s food and agriculture sectors. Event sponsors included Red River Farm Network, American Ag Radio Network, Paulsen, and Promersberger.

Rocky Mountain chapter held a beef and beer/wine pairing event at the NCBA headquarters with NCBA Chef Chris Gigiel on September 9th.

Chef Chris prepared 6 different beef dishes, served with local wines and craft brews. Over 40 local agrimarketing professionals attended, along with out-of-town NAMA members who were in Denver for business.

For the last decade, in every sector and industry, marketers have expressed great hope about what the Millennial generation means for their businesses. While this is a popular segment for research, there is little insight on millennials as participants in production agriculture. Kjersti Hanneman, Insight Director, Colle+McVoy and Laura Netz, Senior Insight Strategist, Colle+McVoy, shared
findings from their agency’s primary research with millennials in agriculture that explored “tensions”—seemingly opposing, yet simultaneously experienced forces—that represent key opportunities for marketers.

McDonald’s has five Sustainability Pillars: Food, Sourcing, Community, People and Planet. Bob Langert, Vice President of CSR & Sustainability, McDonald’s, spoke at the 2014 NAMA Fall Conference closing luncheon about the McDonald’s mission, vision and strategy. Langert says more and more businesses are looking at sustainability as a business opportunity.

Jon Petz is an engagement expert who says it’s time to create impact in your life, at work and in the lives of others. He was a keynote speaker at the 2014 NAMA Fall Conference in Chicago. He says showtime moments can present themselves at any time and when you’re least expecting it.

Your next crisis is a click away, so what is your social plan? The 2014 NAMA Fall Conference got a behind the scenes view of how good planning across all channels can help you anticipate and manage PR problems. Erica Guthrie is the Vice President of Public Relations and Content Marketing for McCormick Company. She moderated the panel that used a real-life animal health PR case study in handling crisis communications in both internal and external PR as well as social media.

Does it really matter how big your data is? Whatever you have is a good start. Big, little, enhanced or purchased data can help you make better decisions and understand your current or prospective customers. Brad Delano of Infinity Direct moderated a panel at the 2014 NAMA Fall Conference that looked at how to use data to drive revenue and increase consumer interaction.