written by Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm New Media

You can now find the NAMA Bombers online. If you’re up for a beautiful ride then you might want to join them prior to the NAMA Convention.

The NAMA Bombers Motorcycle Club will be hosting a ride on April 15th prior to the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference in Kansas City. All NAMA members with a valid motorcycle license are invited to attend.

“There is no entry fee for the ride, but all participants are encouraged to make a contribution to the Agri-Business Educational Foundation. We want this to be another opportunity for NAMA members to have some fun for a good cause,” says ‘Iron Mike’ Gustafson, NAMA Bombers President.

The April 15th ride will be a 180 mile adventure into the scenic paradise of central Missouri. Motorcycle rentals are available through Blue Springs Harley-Davidson. E-mail Jeremy Povenmire at the NAFB for more information.

written by Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm New Media

Once again this year I’ll be your NAMA Blogger for the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference and I’m looking forward to it. To get things started I interviewed trade show committee chair, Rosemary Schimek, corporate marketing manager, Farm Progress Companies.

Rosemary says that this year’s trade show is the largest in years. If your company hasn’t pulled the trigger on joining, you still can. Listen to the interview to find out how. You can also hear about the activities planned for the Connection Point this year. It’s got a western theme, so there will be cutouts you can have your photo taken with as well as some kind of calf roping thing which ought to be fun to see after a few beverages.

You can listen to my interview with Rosemary here: Rosemary Schimek Interview (11 min MP3)

I’d like to thank Eldon White and staff for once again letting me be your NAMA blogger. It’s been fun and I hope you enjoyed a look at the conference, especially if you couldn’t attend. I’ve also been feeding an online photo album for you too which has 299 photos in it. Maybe I can find one more to make it an even 300.

One the final day of the National Agri-Marketing Conference you could attend one of several breakout sessions before the closing brunch.

This one is called “The In’s and Out’s of Business Etiquette.” It was led by Diane Johnson. Here’s what you would have learned if you’d been there. All of this would be handy at a NAMA convention!

As business professionals, all of us have had to attend receptions and banquets. What are things to consider when greeting people, feasting on appetizers and drinking assorted beverages? How do you work a room professionally? What is the appropriate dress for various occasions? What are some basic rules for dining with business peers? These and other tips on business etiquette will be presented by industry veteran, Diane Johnson, to help you make people comfortable around you and to leave the best possible impression.

You know that Eldon White is leaving NAMA shortly for a new opportunity with the Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association. Well we had to honor him somehow after about 16 years of service and one way was to hold a reception.

It was supposed to be a surprise reception and I think he at least looked surprised. Quite a few NAMA members stopped by to congratulate Eldon on his new job. He says he’ll become a member, perhaps president someday and then the staff better watch out! Eldon gave a lot of credit to his staff and says that the staff’s duty is to serve the members because the organization belongs to its members.

If you missed the reception, don’t worry. Part of it is on YouTube:

A fun activity that we did in the NAMA Connection Point this year was armadillo races. If you didn’t participate it was just as fun to watch. Actually, maybe it was more fun.

These things aren’t easy to hang on to. These two racers had a close one as you can see. I also captured one race on video for you too.

It cost $10 to race and the money went to the NAMA ABEF.

You never know what you’re going to find in the NAMA Connection Point (trade show).

This future NAMA leader was exhibiting a natural talent to run the mini helicopters in the J. L. Farmakis booth.

Perhaps the skills need to fly one of these things are similar to those needed to become a professional agrimarketer?

This was all done under a protective netting although I’m sure no one would have tried to fly their’s into some else’s airspace would they?

BTW. These last posts are being done from the airport. Here’s to hoping everyone makes it home safe, sound and on time.