“If you cannot find it within yourself to become emotional, committed, engaged, and yes, fervent about differentiation, then you had better be prepared to take your place among that vast throng of the mediocre who are judged by their customers solely on the basis of price. It is the singularly worst place to be in all of business…”

Scott McKain makes it clear that today’s playing field is more competitive than ever. To connect—and maintain a relationship with—discerning customers, you must differentiate yourself and your business. In this session, he’ll share clear approaches for how to stand out in the market. You’ll learn how to deliver unique value to increasingly demanding and sophisticated customers.

Discover the specific steps you need to take right now to stand out from the crowd. Explore the origins of stifling sameness and gain strategies for rising above and beyond the status quo.

Scott is a highly successful business professional, author and commentator. He has proven that the concepts he presents actually work in the real world!

He is the Vice Chairman of Obsidian Enterprises, a company he helped found just a few years ago that now generates $100 million in annual revenue. Obsidian has been named as one of the “fastest growing companies” in the United States.

He is the co-founder of the Value Added Institute, a “think tank” exploring the role of customer experiences in creating enhanced client loyalty and revenue for visionary organizations. He is the author of two #1 business bestsellers: ALL Business is Show Business, and his most recent book, What Customers Really Want, which has just been released in paperback.

Scott has made several recent appearances on FOX News Network as an analyst and commentator. Scott has shared his business insight on platforms in all 50 states and 14 countries … from Singapore to Sweden; from Mexico to Morocco. His new book, The Collapse of Distinction, is due out in February, 2009.

See Scott at the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference in Atlanta,  visit www.nama.org/amc for more information on the conference. To register now, visit nama.org/amc/register.html.

This session is sponsored by American Business Media Agri Council

Scott McKain will also be hosting the Senior Management Workshop, What Customers Really Want, on Thursday, April 16 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Participants must be registered for the full Agri-Marketing Conference. Separate registration is required, but there is no additional registration fee. Registration is limited to the first 100 attendees who sign-up. Please sign-up at www.nama.org/amc/seniorworkshop.html.

Right now, there are dozens of companies producing the same services and products that you are – only better, faster, cheaper. The only way to maintain a competitive advantage is by thinking differently and generating innovative solutions. Andy Cohen can show you how.

Debunking long-held notions about customers and industry models, he shows us how to market more effectively by emotionally connecting with consumers, how to explore and develop ideas, and even how to reframe a market segment. Using sleight of hand and other illusions, he teaches us how to be more creative, explore our ability to innovate and leverage our strengths for a true competitive advantage.

Using case studies from major brands and corporations such as Coca-Cola, OnStar and ING, he will get your creative juices flowing. You’ll leave with action steps you can put to work immediately.

As a best-selling author and practitioner, Andy has developed keen insights into what drives high-performing companies and what distinguishes their approaches to customers, employees and leadership. A respected marketing guru, Andy has worked with some of the biggest names in business, including American Express, AOL, Charles Schwab, L’Oreal, Novartis, HSBC, Club Med, Merrill Lynch, P&G and Clorox. He has produced award-winning work, even picking up a coveted EFFIE award from the American Marketing Association for the highest excellence in combining creativity with results. Prior to his role as an innovation speaker, he founded Exposed Brick, an award-winning advertising agency that pioneers relationship marketing through electronic and digital media.

For more information on the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference in Atlanta, visit www.nama.org/amc. To register now, visit nama.org/amc/register.html.

This session is sponsored by Syngenta.

Want to know the difference between good and great?

Here’s your chance. Over the years, David Okerlund has been able to observe the leadership styles and habits of many Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller, more intimate organizations.

He has taken those observations and matched them up against three unquestionable persons of greatness in modern America: Warren Buffet, Thunderbirds’ Commander Ron Mumm and baseball’s great Ozzie Smith. And from their input, David has digested their vaulted secrets into four core values that are the linchpins of personal and organizational success. The “Margins of Greatness” is a special realm of performance that sets professionals apart in leadership, sales and service. Hear how to utilize these powerful tenets in your organization and make yourself an indispensable part of the team.

One part humor, one part raw intelligence, Okerlund entertains and informs. Finish your conference experience with an International Hall of Fame Speaker-live and in person!

An Acclaimed Thought Leader and Author
Among the most requested speakers for repeat appearances, Okerlund’s sessions are highly interactive. An award-winning orator, he has over 25 years of training experience in communications, persuasion and advocacy, employee enrichment and empowerment, sales training and creativity/innovation.

David has given over 2,500 speeches to over 1,000,000 people worldwide. He taught speech and debate at Oxford University in England. Okerlund is among the very few to successfully cross over from the academic podium to the professional platform. He is a poet, a newspaper columnist and author of four books to date, including the 7 Traits of Dynamic Leaders in Leadership Roles due out this year.

For more information on the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference in Atlanta, visit www.nama.org/amc. To register now, visit nama.org/amc/register.html.

This session is sponsored by Cattlemen’s Beef Board and Elanco Animal Health.

NAMA’s third webinar “Maximizing Your Trade Show R.O.I.” will take place this Thursday, February 5 at 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) and will last about 1 hour. Cost for the webinar is $35.

The webinar will be hosted by Scott Hanna of Skyline Displays. You will learn key skills, such as:

• Measuring Objectives
• Selecting the right shows and booth spaces
• Budgeting – doing more with less
• Designing an effective exhibit
• Promoting Your tradeshow exhibit
• Selecting and preparing the right staff
• and more!

This is an excellent opportunity to get people together for a chapter meeting at minimal cost.  You might be able to gather a number of your members together in a conference room and perhaps even offer refreshments.
To register for the webinar, visit http://payment.nama.org/webinar.htm.

Note: If you sign up for a Trade Show Booth at the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference in Atlanta by February 4 you will receive a complimentary registration for the this webinar!

NAMA ended 2008 with a gain of 128 new members – an almost 9% increase. This is the largest net gain that can be tracked in the NAMA office.

Welcome all of you who joined in 2008 and special thanks to all of our members for your help in supporting NAMA and joining in the recruiting efforts. We hope to make 2009 even better!

On March 12, the Agriculture Council of America (ACA) will host two major events in the nation’s Capitol: the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon and the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner.

The events kick off National Agriculture Week and mark a nationwide effort to recognize the importance and contribution of agriculture every day in the lives of Americans. A number of producers, agricultural associations, corporations, students and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.

The annual Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon will be held at the Cannon House Office Building at 12:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but advance reservations are required. Approximately 50 student delegates from FFA, 4-H and AFA will be in attendance. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is the Invited Speaker. To sign up for the luncheon visit http://www.agday.org/lunchrsvp/index.php.

The National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner will follow at the USDA Whitten Building Patio at 5:30 p.m. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has been invited to speak. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at http://www.agday.org/dinner/index.php.

This is the 36th anniversary of National Ag Day (March 20, 2009), which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country and is part of National Ag Week (March 15-21, 2009).

If you are planning to host an Ag Day Event and would like some helpful ideas, visit the Ag Day web site at www.agday.org or if you would like to order Ag Day Materials, visit, http://payment.nama.org/agdayorder.htm or call the Agriculture Council of America at 913-491-1895 to order.

Join the Agriculture Council of America and NAMA in celebrating National Ag Week, March 15-21 and National Ag Day, March 20, 2009!

Region III Best of NAMA
Region III held their Best of NAMA Ceremony on January 15 at the Stoney Creek Inn in Johnston, IA. Agriculture marketing communication agencies and clients brought home top honors for their well-deserved marketing efforts.

The event honored the best work of the Northern Prairie, North Central, Cornbelt, and Iowa chapters.

Taking home the Best of Show at the Region III Ceremony were:

Best of Show Advertising
Iowa Soybean Association (In house)
What’s on Your Plate in 2008

Best of Show Public Relations
BASF Professional Vegetation Management
Padilla Speer Beardsley/Winnercom Inc./Source Publications, Inc.
Lattitude Magazine

Best of Show Specialty
Novartis Animal Health
Colle+McVoy
Epic Play

Region IV Best of NAMA
The Region IV Best of NAMA Ceremony took place on January 22 at the Marriott Chicago Northwest in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The event honored the best work of the Badger, Chicago, Heartland and Mid-America NAMA Chapters.

Taking home the Best of Show at the Region IV Ceremony were:

Best of Show Advertising
ABS Global, Inc. (In house)
2008 Showtime

Best of Show Public Relations
Illinois Farm Bureau (In house)
Saving the RFS

Best of Show Specialty
Merial
Bader Rutter
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Congratulations to all the First and Merit winners of the Regional Best of NAMA judging. Those who received First Place or Merit awards are invited to advance their entries to the National Best of NAMA Judging. The National Judging will take place February 19-20 in Kansas City. All entries must be advanced by February 13.

To advance your entries visit www.nama.org/amc/advance.htm.

To view a list of all First and Merit winners in each of the six regions visit www.nama.org/amc/regional.htm.