Thank You to 2012 Team NAMA Reviewers

Written by NAMA on Monday, February 20, 2012 , 3:32 am

Team NAMA offers student chapters an opportunity for a professional review of their Executive Summary prior to the submission deadline.  This year 14 student chapter teams took advantage of this opportunity.  NAMA and the student chapters thank the following professionals who volunteered their time to review the plans and provide feedback to the teams.

Jim Bansen, CNH

Sally Behringer, Blasdel Cleaver Schwalbe

Meg Brodman, archer>malmo

Tiffany Bronson, AdFarm

Jodi Carreon, Rhea + Kaiser

Laura Cunningham, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds

Dave Furbeck, Great Salt Lake Minerals Corp.

Channing Gardiner, Farm Journal Media

Steve Grana, Novus International, Inc.

Stephanie Hoult, Broadhead

Josh Hushon, Bader Rutter & Associates

Justin Johnson, MANA Crop Protection

Sharon Larson, Martin | Williams

Rebekah McCurdy, Pioneer Hi-Bred

Brian Rund, Nufarm Americas, Inc.

 And special thanks to Janelle Buxton, Pioneer Hi-Bred and a member of the NAMA Careers Committee, for coordinating the project!

Agri-Marketing Conference Workshops Spotlight

Written by NAMA on Monday, February 20, 2012 , 3:31 am

Pre-Conference Workshop:  Sales and Marketing Are Two Peas in a Pod Wednesday, April 18 ~ 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

As a subset of marketing promotion, sales plays an important role in many organizations.  Yet, sometimes there is a disconnect between a company’s marketing efforts and sales efforts.  Often promotional planning addresses advertising and branding separately from the company’s personal interactions with customers in the field.  Salespeople often come from independent stock and get so focused on products and customers that they don’t take full advantage of the marketing tools available to them.  In this interactive session, we’ll discuss how selling and marketing can co-exist as an integrated effort with some simple twists of commonly used tools.

Scott Downey, Purdue University

Scott Downey teaches courses in selling and sales management in the Department of Agricultural Economics. He joined Purdue University on a full time basis in 2000 after spending 15 years in the financial services industry and eight years concurrently teaching undergraduate and graduate level marketing and finance courses, at Purdue and Indiana Wesleyan Universities.

Scott is also associate director for the Center for Food and Agricultural Business. He teaches in many of the Center’s programs and represents the Center at other events within industry. He is a frequent speaker and consultant for agribusiness industry sales teams on professional development topics like building value, branding in the field, field marketing, key account management, and leadership.

Senior Management Workshop: Next-Gen Profits
Thursday, April 19 ~ 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Peter Sheahan

Generation Y represents one the most lucrative opportunities open to business today. Whether you want to unleash their creativity at work, get your share of the $200bn plus they spend annually, or align yourself to profit from the $17.8 trillion they will inherit, you will need a fresh approach to branding, sales and leadership.

Human needs never change, but our definitions of whether those needs are being met change dramatically based on how we were brought up. If you are going to attract and retain the new generation as customers, members and staff, you will need to understand their new perspectives and definitions.

Based on the research presented in the international best seller Generation Y, this very funny and extremely insightful session will:

– Give you insight into the REAL differences between generations.
– Offer strategies for exploiting this new market opportunity.
– Identify emerging trends associated with this generation which are impacting your broader target markets.
– Show you how successful organizations have adapted their leadership and management styles to this new employee group.
– Outline specific strategies for attracting and engaging Gen Y as customers and/or staff.
– Present case studies from around the world of organizations who have profitably engaged this new generation.
– Move beyond “technology” hype and focus on opportunities which align with your desired culture and business model

AMC Sponsorships Still Available

Written by NAMA on Monday, February 20, 2012 , 3:20 am

Sponsorships are available for the 2012 Agri-Marketing Conference. Get your company noticed!  Companies with marketing budgets of all sizes can participate. The higher your support, the more benefits you’ll receive….Sustaining Partner, 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 2012 Agri-Marketing Conference and confirm your interest to Jenny Pickett at (913) 491-6500 or email to jennyp@nama.org or fill out the online sponsorship form at http://www.nama.org/amc/sponsor/form.htm. In-kind sponsorships, e.g., printing, can be considered.

AMC Trade Show Booths Available – Hurry!

Written by NAMA on Monday, February 20, 2012 , 3:19 am

Meet your customers in The Connection Point at the Agri-Marketing Conference in Kansas City.  If your company has products and services to put before decision-makers in the ag marketplace, NAMA’s Connection Point is for you.  Over 90% of the exhibitors return each year!

With nearly 1,200 professionals in attendance, there’s no better way to get noticed. Influencers and decision-makers will take note when you purchase booth space on this trade show floor. Lunch and refreshment breaks are scheduled to maximize traffic and draw the clients and customers you want to meet!

The Connection Point will be open Wednesday, April 18 from 6:00–7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 19 from 12:30–2:00 p.m., 3:00–4:00 p.m. and 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Booth space price (10’ x 10’ space) is $475 (includes one exhibit hall only pass). Trade in your exhibit hall only pass and receive $100 off one full conference registration. Additional exhibit hall only passes are $250 with a maximum of two per booth space.

Multiple space discount:
2 spaces = 10% off of the single booth price for a total of $855
3 spaces = 15% off of the single booth price for a total of $1,210
4 spaces = 20% off of the single booth price for a total of $1,520
5 or more spaces—call for price

Exhibitor Fees Include:
• One 10’ x 10’ exhibit space
• Uniform back wall and side rails (both draped)
• One-line company identification sign

To sign up for a booth in the Connection Point, visit http://www.nama.org/amc/ts/signup.htm or contact Jan Cichello at mailto:janc@nama.orgor call 913-491-6500.

ABEF Auction Donations Needed

Written by NAMA on Monday, February 20, 2012 , 3:18 am

ABEF Silent/Online Media Auctions

Find a home for that special edition wildlife print or even those sports tickets and surplus company logo jackets. Or give a media package or services, and support the Agri-Business Educational Foundation (ABEF) at the same time. How? By contributing to the annual ABEF Silent Auction.

Donations are needed for the ABEF Silent Auction at the 2012 Agri-Marketing Conference in Kansas City.

Please join your agri-marketing peers in supporting this worthwhile effort by donating to the auction. Click on the Pledge Form to indicate your donation and/or interest in the project by March 16, 2012, to be included in the auction catalog.

The primary goal or mission of the Agri-Business Educational Foundation (ABEF) is to provide today’s agri-business students the tools they will need to succeed tomorrow.

Century Club

Investing in the Century Club provides the opportunity to step forward and help advance the future of agribusiness. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders and the Century Club support is totally dedicated for investing in scholarships for tomorrow’s leaders.

The Century Club’s goal is to have today’s agribusiness leaders contribute $100 for today’s youth.

Membership in the Century Club is on an annual basis.

Club members who renew prior to the Agri-Marketing Conference will have an “ABEF Century Club” sticker on their name badge and be recognized on the Century Club sign in the Silent Auction area and in other conference materials.  You will also receive an invitation to attend the Agribusiness Leader of the Year Recognition Luncheon hosted by the ABEF.  The annual membership contribution is $100.

You can be a part of this select group of individuals committed to enhancing the opportunity for tomorrow’s leaders. Don’t be left out, sign yourself up now! Visit http://www.nama.org/store/index.php?p=catalog&parent=6&pg=1.

Osborn & Barr adds support to the AgriBusiness Educational Foundation’s VISION2020 through A.S.A.P.

Written by NAMA on Monday, February 20, 2012 , 3:18 am

The AgriBusiness Educational Foundation (ABEF)  is pleased to announce that Osborn & Barr has made a major contribution to the Foundation’s current fundraising program targeting Ag advertising agencies — A.S.A.P. (Agencies Supporting ABEF Programs). Osborn & Barr’s $5,000 gift will be used to help support ABEF college student scholarships, the National Student NAMA Marketing Competition, and other programs benefiting students and young professionals in Ag marketing. A.S.A.P. is an on-going program in support of the Foundation’s VISION2020 initiative to raise $4 million by the year 2020.

 “A wealth of employment opportunities exist in agribusiness, and it’s promising to see so many talented students who are serious about pursuing a career in this industry,” says Michael Turley, CEO, Osborn & Barr. “It’s rewarding to be involved with farm tours, summer internships and scholarship programs that not only educate, but spark in our youth a true appreciation for agriculture. Our involvement with A.S.A.P. is one more way we can do our part to support agribusiness and its future leaders.”

 Mick Sibbel, Chair of the Board of Trustees for ABEF, commented, “The A.S.A.P. initiative was developed to bring Ag ad agencies together to build financial support while becoming advocates for ABEF. Osborn & Barr’s commitment to the program is very much appreciated and will help us continue much-needed programming to develop the Ag marketing and communications leaders of tomorrow.”

 Agencies who sign up for A.S.A.P. follow certain guidelines in support of ABEF. In addition to an unrestricted gift to the Foundation ($500 to $100,000), agencies agree to provide information about ABEF to clients, employees, and suppliers, asking for their financial support of the Foundation. Agencies may also match employee contributions.

 “The agricultural landscape is ever-changing, and while we may not know the challenges that will come in 2020, we do know that our future depends on what we do today,” says Turley. “At the end of the day, we all want agriculture to thrive and prosper for years to come. We are proud to form an alliance with other Ag marketing and advertising agencies through ABEF and A.S.A.P.”

 Interested agencies can get more information about ABEF and A.S.A.P. by contacting Michael Gustafson, Deer’s Landing Communications, at 217-251-3659 (guswriter@yahoo.com) or Jenny Pickett at NAMA office at 913-491-6500 (jennyp@nama.org).

VISION2020 is a new initiative that seeks to raise up to $4 million over the next 10 years for college student scholarships, student and young professional development programs, and support of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Student Program. Funding may also be made available for outreach to high school juniors and seniors, promoting careers in Ag business, marketing and communications.

New Badger NAMA Mentor Program

Written by NAMA on Monday, February 20, 2012 , 3:17 am

The Badger NAMA Board of Directors has been working hard over the last few months to create new and innovative ways to show its chapter members value for their membership dollars. From relevant speakers and networking sessions to interactions with student members, 2012 is going to be a great year for Badger NAMA.

Badger members have been offered a unique opportunity to share their expertise with the future of our profession – the NEW Badger NAMA Mentor Program. They have developed a program that will benefit students and professionals in a directed, yet flexible way.  It’s designed with the busy professional in mind, and the program can also be considered a recruitment tool.  Interested Badger members should send a request for additional information and/or application materials to mmcginnis@cals.wisc.edu.

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