NAMA’s Trends in Agriculture: Rural Lifestyle Marketing wrapped up with a panel discussion of marketers and retailers talking about the effect of the changing rural economy on the marketplace. The $32 billion rural lifestyle market is seen as a true growth opportunity. Tim Nix, Marketing Manager for Morton Buildings talked about how to meet the needs and expectations of the market.

NAMA honored three members for professional development during its Wednesday luncheon. Honored in marketing communications was Paul Redhage, FMC Communications Manager; in Public Relations, Beth Anderson, Charleston Orwig; and in sales, Vernon Benes of Beck Ag. Below are video highlights of acceptance comments of those present.

2008 NAMA President Patty Travis passes the leadership gavel to incoming president Carol Anderson. The new president shared her thoughts about the challenges that lie ahead for NAMA and its membership.

How do businesses make rural lifestylers loyal customers? Craig Elbert, the Marketing Strategy Manger for Hallmark Cards had some ideas for the NAMA Trends in Agriculture: Rural Lifestyle Marketing conference. He talked about when markets change from traditional ag customers to rural lifestyle customers new strategies are needed to build long-term loyalty.

Day two of NAMA’s Trends in Agriculture: Rural Lifestyle Marketing kicked off with a discussion of the impact of new media on rural lifestylers. Susan Spalding of Market Directions and Courtney Yuskis of the Country Living Association looked at the products and services that are gaining the interest of Rural Lifestylers.

So where are rural lifestylers these days? Dan Duffy, CEO of United Country Real Estate, told the NAMA Trends in Agriculture: Rural Lifestyle Marketing conference how agrimarketers can reach this target and how it is holding its own against the recent economic downturn.

The NAMA Trends in Agriculture, Rural Lifestyle Marketing conference began with Frank Schuurmans of Decision Strategy International asking if your current strategy is “future proof.” He focused on future scenarios and asked attendees to test how their current strategy would fare.