The NAMA 2012 Fall Conference was a big success with nearly 200  in attendance.  The new NAMA Fall Conference focused on celebrating leadership and recognizing those who are the leaders in the agri-marketing industry.

Attendees who made it to Minneapolis  early for the North Central Ag Tour had the chance to visit CHS Savage Terminal, Peavey Grain Elevator and Flat Earth Brewing.

The founder of the Rainforest Cafe, Steven Schussler, Schussler Creative, opened the  Fall Conference as keynote speaker.  “It’s a Jungle in There: Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring,” was the topic of his presentation. Steven is also the author of the bestselling book, “It’s a Jungle in There.”

Afternoon breakout sessions on the first day of Fall Conference targeted agri-marketers ready to move up the career ladder  and acquire game-changing professional development skills.

The day ended with a networking reception at SEVEN.   Attendees enjoyed complimentary appetizers and cocktails courtesy of  Broadhead.

Day two began with a session on “How to Make Things Happen When You’re Not in Charge” with Sheila Campbell, President, Wild Blue Yonder, Inc. Campbell urged the audience to foster relationships that make people want to help us.

Morning breakout sessions on day two included a discussion on crisis management, communicating with impact and moving up the ladder.  The audience gained insightful tips on how to fine-tune their leadership skills.

NAMA honored the  2012 Professional Development Awards of Excellence sponsored by Farm Progress Companies. These awards honor NAMA members with hands-on responsibility in marketing and communications, public relations, product/species management and sales.  Congratulations to Troy Schroeder – Broadhead, Justin Funk – Agri Studies Inc., Kevin Bien – AGCO and John Rozum – World Dairy Expo.

Wrapping up the conference was Aidan Connolly, Vice President Corporate Accounts, Alltech Inc.  Breakfast in China, afternoon presentation in Minneapolis at the NAMA Fall Conference. That was on Connolly’s schedule for the day.  Agribusiness is a worldwide business now and that means dealing with different languages and cultures. Aidan says “agriculture has never been so key to the world” and “food is a conversation that everyone wants to have.” He says that future leaders in agriculture need to be ready to travel, understand what’s going on in China, Brazil and India, have a sense of curiosity and a willingness to use new technology.

This meeting also marked the passing of the gavel from 2012 NAMA President Beth Burgy, Broadhead, to incoming president Paul Redhage, FMC Agricultural Products.

Congratulations to our incoming and existing officers!

President Elect – Kenna Rathai,  Kenna B. Rathai Communications
Secretary/Treasurer – Marvin Kokes, National Cattlemen’s Beef Assn.
Vice Presidents – Sally Behringer, MustangRED Communications
Matt Coniglio, Farm Progress Companies
Amy Bradford, GROWMARK, Inc.
Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm New Media
Amy Bugg, AdFarm
Sheri Seger, DTN/The Progressive Farmer

See additional  coverage and photos from the Fall Conference in Minneapolis on AgWired http://agwired.com/

NAMA is pleased to congratulate this year’s Professional Development Awards of Excellence recipients sponsored by Farm Progress Companies.

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
Troy Schroeder, Chief Marketing Officer, Broadhead

Troy has led numerous award-winning campaigns from concept to completion. His ability to combine sound strategy with innovative new communications tools has created tangible results for numerous clients, including AGCO (Massey Ferguson, Challenger, Gleaner, RoGator and TerraGator), American Le Mans Series, Cat Auction Services, IndyCar Series, John Deere, Minnesota FFA Foundation, The Mosaic Company, Oxbo International Corporation, Renewable Fuels Association, Trimble Navigation and USDA.

Troy’s work with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) and the IndyCar Series earned numerous awards and over one billion media impressions in a two-year campaign that focused on the performance and environmental attributes of the renewable fuel. In addition, ethanol was named Agri Marketing’s Product of the Year during the campaign.

A NAMA member since 2004, Troy has been involved in his local chapter and a consistent supporter of the national NAMA organization. He has served on the board of directors for the North Central Chapter, encouraged committee and board involvement from other Broadhead employees, and continues to be a contributor locally and nationally.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Justin Funk, Managing Partner, Agri Studies Inc.

For over 20 years, Agri Studies has been offering marketing research and educational programs to the agribusiness industry.  Today, Agri Studies offers certificate programs in Professional Selling and Agri Marketing that allow students to write their own course by using real life situations they’re presently experiencing.  There is currently a waiting list to enter, and the concept was expanded into Western Canada locations.

Justin has also been very involved in CAMA. He took over as the CAMA Ontario Chapter President in 2008. During his two-year leadership, CAMA Ontario membership has grown from 125 to 150, and attendance at events and meetings has seen a 15% increase. He voluntarily developed the Certificate in Agri-Marketing as an educational program of CAMA, and assisted the University of Guelph Student Chapter as they developed their marketing project for the NAMA Student Competition. He continually encourages other CAMA members to provide input and feedback to the students to help prepare them for their competition.

PRODUCT/SPECIES MANAGEMENT
Kevin Bien, Product Marketing Manager, AGCO

Kevin Bien is responsible for AGCO’s successful introduction of the Gleaner S7 Super Series of combines. The Gleaner tagline (and also its mantra) is “Built With The Farmer In Mind.” When he wears his product manager hat—his official role on Gleaner from 2006 until 2011—Kevin uses his phenomenal knowledge of the product and the needs of its dealers and customers to drive product development to deliver on the promise of that tagline and the promise of the brand. The new Gleaner Super Series is up to 40 to 60 percent greater in capacity, and very up-to-date in harvesting technology and precision-ag technology, all while retaining the grain sample quality, compactness, maneuverability, soil-protecting lighter weight and easier serviceability. This advancement occurred because Kevin fought tooth and nail to deliver the product that dealers, farmers and custom harvesters wanted and had been asking AGCO to deliver for many years.

Kevin is the epitome of what a national agriculture marketing professional should be. He has been an example for many NAMA members at AGCO as well as a constant supporter of his subordinates’ and colleagues’ investment and participation in NAMA activities.

SALES
John Rozum, Sales Manager, World Dairy Expo
John’s responsibilities involve all aspects of sales for World Dairy Expo, from exhibit space to sponsored events to all sponsored items, signage and materials. As a result, he works directly with the 850+ companies exhibiting at the show from 28 different countries. John takes his responsibility for clear, almost-instant communication seriously, regardless of the question or language barrier. Under John’s leadership, guidance and hard work, Expo has grown exponentially in exhibit and sponsorship sales.

John is a long-time volunteer and leader in the Badger NAMA Chapter. He is currently serving as Vice President and Programming Chair. Much like his work at WDE, John brings new and innovative ideas to Badger NAMA where he is known for developing and implementing impressive programs for ag marketing professionals.

Join NAMA in Minneapolis to take your career to the next level and celebrate NAMA leadership, September 25 – 26.

The Fall Conference is NAMA’s newest signature event, and we want you to be a part of the action. Looking for fresh ideas to increase your professionalism? Want to fine-tune your critical leadership skills? The Fall Conference is the place for you!

Here’s what’s in store …

Insightful Keynote Speaker. Steve Schussler, founder of Rainforest Café, is living proof that setting your goals high and staying focused pays off! He’ll share his secrets to success.

Next Level Breakout Sessions. Created especially for agri-marketers ready to move up the career ladder and acquire game-changing professional development skills.

Classic NAMA Networking. Rub shoulders with NAMA leadership and expand your circle of influential agri-marketing professionals.

We’re packing as much learning, networking and good times into the Fall Conference as possible.

“Celebrating Leadership” will be a prominent theme throughout the Fall Conference. Join us to hone your leadership skills through innovative sessions and learn how NAMA can help you succeed in your career and at your organization. You’re also invited to a momentous celebration of NAMA leaders throughout the generations.

Join the North Central NAMA Chapter  on a tour showcasing unique aspects of Minnesota agriculture and agribusiness. Snacks, drinks and networking are all on the agenda for Monday afternoon. End the day at a Twin Cities brewery! (optional) Note:  There has been a time change in the start time for this tour.  Buses leave the hotel at 12:30 p.m.

To register for the 2012 Fall Conference, visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=49.

For more information on the Fall Conference and hotel, visit http://www.nama.org/fall/index.htm.

Sponsorships are now available for the Fall Conference. If you are interested in sponsoring a session, please contact Jenny Pickett at [email protected] or call 913-491-6500.

The packed house at the Best of NAMA Celebration prior to the first full day of conference activities was a clue. The 2012 Agri-Marketing Conference was going to be big … and it was.  Click here for a list of Best of NAMA winners.

Over 1200 attendees filled the Sheraton at Crown Center exhibit hall, keynote sessions and breakouts. NAMA has challenged itself to up the ante on conference each year.

“Our executive and planning committees work so hard to deliver the most amazing conference possible and it seems like they out do themselves every time,” shares Jenny Pickett, Executive Vice President/CEO of NAMA. “We try to bring in speakers who inject new perspectives and shake things up a little. The line up this year was just stellar.”

Peter Sheahan got things started with an energizing exploration of how ideas and execution join to create innovation. Using little known examples from leading-edge companies like Apple and Progressive, he had the crowd rapt with attention the whole morning.

The comedic, laid-back style of Ross Schafer was the perfect segue into the rest of the day. His insights and quick-witted observations were also full of useful suggestions for nurturing customer relationships and gaining an edge on your competition.

Awards for Agribusiness Leader of the Year and NAMA Marketer of the Year were also presented in the morning sessions. Honors went to John Becherer, United Soybean Board, and Greg Guse, Paulsen Marketing, respectively.

Attendees then chose from a wide-ranging group of breakout sessions to round out their afternoons. Topics spanned how different generations of farmers use media, to how to foster a creative environment in the workplace.

A walk through the Connection Point Trade Show  and closing reception with the exhibitors closed a full day of networking, learning and new ideas.  Attendees were encouraged to visit each of the 62 trade show booths to enter to win great prizes.  Congrats to Tom Apple, Pam Voelkel and Michele Egan who each took home a Kindle Fire.  Michelle Weinzetl won a XBOX Kinect and Heather Rossow won a Best Buy Gift Card.

At the Closing Session, Walter Bond shared his personal experiences of challenge and triumph during his long journey to becoming a player in the NBA. He urged the audience to be confident (but not arrogant), show enthusiasm and resist dwelling on the negative.

The deadline for submitting nominations for the Agribusiness Leader and NAMA Marketer of the Year awards is January 20, 2012. These awards will be presented at the 2012 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 18-20, 2012, in Kansas City.

NAMA Marketer of the Year

NAMA will recognize an active member with senior management of marketing and/or sales responsibilities with the NAMA Marketer of the Year award. This award is the most prestigious honor awarded to an active member of the association and honors outstanding accomplishments in the field of agri-marketing.

Nominees are solicited from agribusiness and related companies with overall marketing and/or sales responsibilities. Nominees must be NAMA members.

To nominate someone for the NAMA Marketer award, download the application in an Adobe .pdf format at http://www.nama.org/awards/mktrapplication.pdf or fill out the online application at http://www.nama.org/awards/namamarketerform.htm.

Agribusiness Leader of the Year

The Agribusiness Leader of the Year award recognizes leadership achievement in agriculture and the food and fiber industry. This award is for agribusiness leaders and leaders in private, public or academic service. Nominees do not have to be NAMA members.

The Agribusiness Leader of the Year award is NAMA’s highest honor. The award honors an outstanding leader in agribusiness, education, government service or other agribusiness related area. Solicited from senior level position holders in private, public or academic service, nominees should exemplify excellence in agribusiness by their significant contributions to the industry.

To nominate someone for the Agribusiness Leader of the Year award, download the application in an Adobe .pdf format at http://www.nama.org/awards/agbusapplication.pdf or fill out the online application at http://www.nama.org/awards/agribusinessform.htm.