Tour of Illinois State University’s Social Media Analytics Command Center

Join Heartland Chapter of NAMA for a tour of Illinois State University’s Social Media Analytics Command Center (SMACC) in Normal, Illinois on Friday, March 15. Attendees will meet for a Dutch-treat lunch at noon at Medici in Normal then head over to campus for the tour. Social Media is an integral communications tool for any business. But perhaps one of the most challenging aspects is staying on top of the conversations taking place. Illinois State University’s SMACC is a specialized computer lab whose primary goal is to analyze public conversations from social media outlets, popular discussion forums, and major blogs.

WHEN: Friday, March 15

TIME: 12:00 to 3:00 PM

WHERE: Illinois State University School of Communication, 100 N University St, Normal, IL 61761

COST: FREE

Email Cliff Dolbeare to register.

Cold Run for Warm Meals

Join the Iowa NAMA Chapter for their annual fundraising event at the Cold Run for Warm Meals, a 2.5 mile run or walk benefiting WesleyLife Meals on Wheels. Food insecurity is a challenge that affects an incredible amount of Iowans – over 83,000 seniors in Iowa are threatened by hunger. Join the chapter to stand against hunger in Iowa by participating in the Cold Run for Warm Meals. Register today!

WHEN: Saturday, March 30

TIME: 9:30 AM

WHERE: Gray’s Lake, 2100 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA US 50315

COST: $25 (price increases after March 1)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Badger NAMA members volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin in December. They spent time packaging rice from a 2,000-pound tote into 2-pound bags that can be used at local food pantries. Badger NAMA also made a donation to Second Harvest for each member who volunteered. The total donation provided 540 meals to our community.

The Carolinas-Virginia Chapter held a strategy and brainstorming session on November 9 at the offices of G&S Business Communications in Raleigh. Chapter President Jennie Sellers, of Verdesian Life Sciences, led the group in a planning discussion of events for the next year, as well as a chat about the chapter’s Best of NAMA Banquet, which was slated for Jan. 31, also at G&S Business Communications.

Mary Gordon of G&S presented to the group on current trends in ag marketing. A terrific conversation was had within the group about the most effective ways to market to farmers and ranchers – and ways to stay at the forefront of technology and trends.

On November 8^th, members of the Iowa NAMA chapter gathered at the Machine Shed in Urbandale for an educational luncheon featuring Paul Zobel, Senior Director of Brand and Marketing Services – Kent Nutrition Group. Drawing on Kent’s 90-year history of leadership in the livestock industry, Zobel shared how the company has worked to establish a reputation for high-quality animal nutrition products while building a brand legacy of service and trust.

The MoKan Chapter volunteered at Harvesters on Thursday, December 20th. NAMA members helped sort and box hundreds of canned goods, which will ship to food banks throughout the 26 counties in Missouri and Kansas they support. We worked hard but managed to have some fun too!

Hard at work!

Nov/Dec Event Summaries

North Central NAMA Volunteers at Feed My Starving Children

On November 20, 2018, the North Central NAMA Chapter organized an evening of volunteer meal packing at Feed My Starving Children in Eagan, MN. The 27 volunteers joined other local volunteers to pack 32,616 meals into bags which were sealed, boxed, placed on pallets and ultimately shipped to children around the world. This many meals will feed 89 children for one year. It was a fun, fast-paced, and engaging volunteer opportunity that we look forward to working with in the future.

North Central NAMA Holiday Party

The North Central NAMA Chapter hosted its annual Holiday Party at Inbound Brew Co. in Minneapolis, MN. The 36 attendees enjoyed craft beers, food from the Big Red Wagon food truck and an assortment of board member-baked Christmas cookies. Many members even dressed up festively in order to spread their holiday cheer and win the dress up contest. And in true holiday spirit, toys and donations were collected for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

This event gave many members a great opportunity to catch up with longtime friends as well as connect and meet new professionals in our organization. We had the pleasure to host about 10 members from the University of Minnesota Student NAMA chapter.  We are working to stay better engaged with the student chapters and create valuable relationships with our future NAMA leaders.