Get to Fall Conference a day early for the Chicago NAMA Chapter Ag Tour. Even if you are not planning to attend Fall Conference, you can still meet up with us for the tour. We will be departing from The Hotel Chicago on Monday, September 15^th at 12:00 p.m. Lunch will be served on the bus while we are on the way to Fair Oaks Farms where we will be spending the day.

During the tour, you will get the opportunity to see Fair Oaks Farms’ 30,000 cow dairy operation. You will learn how the cows are cared for and visit the rotary milking parlor to learn about this unique milking technology. Then, you will head over to the Pig Adventure to see the interactive displays and observe the gestation and farrowing operations.

The last stop is to the new Farmhouse Restaurant, Bakery and Farmers Market at Fair Oaks Farms where you will get the opportunity to tour the kitchen and interact with the chefs. These chefs will then serve dinner with food produced on-site that is prepared in its completely viewable kitchen.

For a more detailed schedule and to register visit the NAMA Fall Conference website.

Sessions have been announced for NAMA’s Fall Conference, September 16-17 at The Hotel Chicago. The Fall Conference will kick-off with an optional Ag Tour on Monday, September 15. Check out the schedule and sessions for the Fall Conference below.

Monday, September 15

12:00 p.m. – Chicago Ag Tour
Transparency, transparency, transparency. It is more than a buzzword at Fair Oaks Farms where they are redefining farm-to-plate and providing visitors with an experience in agriculture like no other.

Located in northwestern Indiana, just a short bus ride from Chicago, Fair Oaks hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, giving them a look, and now a taste, as to what modern agriculture is all about.  As part of the fall tour, the Chicago NAMA chapter has coordinated a visit to Fair Oaks Farms. Upon arrival at the farm, the first stop is at the visitor center where interactive displays provide an education experience like no other in the dairy industry. From there you will board a bus and head out to the 30,000 cow dairy to learn how the cows on the farm are cared for and visit the rotary milking parlor to learn about this unique milking technology. Methane digesters on the farm handle all associated waste from the farm, so you will learn more about that technology and how the energy generated is used to power the buses you’ll be riding as well as all the farm equipment.

Next stop is the new Pig Adventure at Fair Oaks Farms. Our group will be given a private tour of the interactive displays and allowed to view from the observation deck the gestation and farrowing operations of this 2,500 commercial operation. Then it is off to the new FarmHouse Restaurant, Bakery and Farmers Market at Fair Oaks Farms, where during social hour, you’ll have the opportunity to tour the kitchen and interact with the team of chefs. Located on site, this impressive new facility is truly redefining local food production, serving food produced on site that is prepared in its completely viewable kitchen.

Following dinner will be a short panel discussion on ground-breaking research out of Purdue University discussing how and if experiences like those at Fair Oaks Farms are reshaping consumer perceptions of “big ag.” You’ll also hear about the new crop center that is coming to Fair Oaks and plans for poultry, beef, aquaculture and more, as well as a hotel and farm-themed waterpark.

Tour cost is $75/person and includes bus transportation, dinner and all tour-related fees. The bus will return to the hotel by 9 p.m.

Tuesday, September 16

10-11 a.m.
NAMA Board of Directors’ Meeting

10-11:00 a.m.
Pre-Conference Workshop ~ Presenting With Excellence
Steve Hughes

Thirty million PowerPoint presentations are given every day and most of them are painfully boring and grossly ineffective. Remote teams,  shrinking timelines and technological advances are making webinars an increasingly popular way to communicate. However, if you approach a webinar the same way you approach a live presentation, your chances of success are limited. This cutting-edge program will give you the tools you need to make things happen when you’re presenting—through PowerPoint or over the Internet.

• Present your slides while staying connected to your audience.
• Incorporate the latest research on attention span and adult learning styles.
• Leverage the strength of PowerPoint without being dominated by it.
• Incorporate real-world strategies to keep your webinar attendees engaged.
• Avoid the five common mistakes that can derail a webinar.
• Increase the effectiveness of your webinars by making them more interactive.
• Get better results from your webinar efforts and remote teams.

This energetic and interactive program will help you create and deliver influential presentations that hit the mark.

Steve Hughes is the founder and President of Hit Your Stride, LLC and his mission is to help people look and sound smart when they talk. He is the author of Dazzle Me: Captivate and Win Over Any Audience and he has appeared on NPR, BBC Radio and BusinessWeek. Prior to launching his own business, he spent 12 years in advertising and PR and was a managing partner at a 50-person ad agency.

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
NAMA Leader Workshop

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
ABEF Board Meeting

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Pre-Conference Luncheon:  The Impact of Mid-Year Elections on Agriculture
sponsored by NAFB
Jay H. Truitt – Policy Solutions, Washington D.C.

Midterm elections will prove to be very exciting this fall as several key seats are up for re-election nationwide. Get a high-level look from a Washington, D.C. insider at issues and implications of the midterm elections as the results could impact livestock and food industry policy.

1-2:15 p.m.
Welcome and Keynote Session: Dazzle Me: Captivate and Win Over Any Audience
Steve Hughes
sponsored by John Deere

Great speakers are made, not born. By understanding what audiences truly want and the ways adults process information, anyone can learn to confidently engage and motivate others. This interactive program combines the time-tested wisdom of the Greek philosophers with the latest insights from today’s leading storytellers: Madison Avenue and Hollywood. You’ll also benefit from the latest psychological research on attention span and human decision-making. When all of these factors are taken into account and applied correctly, your team can connect with audiences so that they will listen more, retain more and act on the speaker’s recommendations.

• Establish credibility, appear dynamic and motivate listeners with persuasive physical delivery skills.
• Make a powerful first impression and then build on it throughout your presentation.
• Reduce the number of hours it takes to create and craft a compelling speech.
• Improve your skills in real time through interactive videotape coaching.

2:15-2:45 p.m. – Break

2:45-3:45 p.m. – Breakout Sessions (choose one of three)
~ Email Marketing Still Works: Beefing Up the Basics
What if each $1 you spent on email marketing earned you $28? Email marketing still rocks the highest return on investment of any marketing medium. That is, if you do it right. Are you getting your $28 ROI? Jessica Best will speak to email’s place in a fast-moving, social media-ruled world, including making email work when and where your customers need it. She’ll talk about what works in 2014 and what the next new trends will likely be.
~ Your Next Crisis is a Click Away-What is Your Social Plan?
Get a behind the scenes view of how good planning across all channels can help you anticipate and manage PR problems. Using a real-life animal health PR case study, the agency lead, client lead and media contact involved will explain their roles in handling crisis communications in both internal and external PR as well as social media.
~ What Do You Know About Drones? How This Technology is Impacting Real-Time Communications Expectations
Chad Colby, host of AgTechTalk.com, shares the latest on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) applications in ag. You’ll hear how ag communicators can share information about drones—as well as the crop-based information they collect—with growers and other industry professionals.

3:45-4 p.m. – Break

4-5 p.m. – Breakout Sessions (choose one of three)
~ Your Next Crisis is a Click Away-What is Your Social Plan?
Get a behind the scenes view of how good planning across all channels can help you anticipate and manage PR problems. Using a real-life animal health PR case study, the agency lead, client lead and media contact involved will explain their roles in handling crisis communications in both internal and external PR as well as social media.
~ Creating Lasting, Productive Partnerships Between Agency & Marketers
Mark will tap into his 25 years of experience working with agencies and marketers—and working in agencies and as a marketer-to discuss why marketer-agency relationships fail. He’ll share survey data gathered by his firm to explain what marketers (and agencies) can do to best insure that relationships succeed.
~ Utilizing Big Data to Deliver a Rock Solid Plan
Does it really matter how big your data is? Whatever you have is a good start. Big, little, enhanced or purchased data can help you make better decisions and understand your current or prospective customers. This breakout will reveal how to use data to drive revenue and increase consumer interaction. Most data an organization has tends to be transactional in nature, by itself telling only part of a story. Synthesizing that information, putting business objectives to it and supplementing where and when needed makes data actionable. When you leave, you will have a “start here” square for your rock solid plan.

5:30-7:00 p.m. – Networking Reception

Wednesday, September 17

8-8:30 a.m. – Continental Breakfast

8:30-10:00 a.m.
General Session: It’s Showtime…Life Isn’t a Dress Rehearsal
Professional Development Awards of Excellence
Jon Petz

STOP meeting expectations! It’s time to create impact in your life, at work and in the lives of others. These moments (SHOWTIME moments) can present re least expecting it. provoking keynote speech will help you identify how to make the most of every meeting, phone call and daily activity. to deliver an experience instead of merely ll be empowered to be the best you. Rekindle the passion in who you are and what you do! Jon will show you how.

Mobile, Mart, ABC, Deloitte, Aflac and JP Morgan Chase, Honda, FOX and Goodyear. He is the author of several books, including Boring Meetings Suck: Get More Out of Your Meetings, or Get Out of More Meetings and The Best of the Best.

Professional Development Awards of Excellence Presentation
PDA Awards Sponsored by Penton Farm Progress

Each year, NAMA honors members with hands-on responsibility in marketing communications, public relations, product/species management and sales. Awards will be given in each of these areas and the recipients will share their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities in agri-marketing.

10:00-10:30 a.m. – Break

10:30-11:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions (choose one of three)
~ Understand the Role Content Should Play in Your Marketing Plan- A Campaign Case Study
Content marketing drives impressions, engagement and ultimately brings your customer to you. Learn how HLK worked with Cobb to develop an effective brand content marketing strategy that targets not only customers, but also internal employees. This content is curated, developed, distributed, promoted and tracked. Development happens in many formats and distributed across hundreds of platforms. Get an inside view of the process and results.
~ Millennials in Agriculture: A Deep Dive into Insights and Opportunities for Marketers
For the last decade, in every sector and industry, marketers have expressed great hope about what the Millennial generation means for their businesses. While this is a popular segment for research, there is little insight on millennials as participants in production agriculture. In this session, you’ll hear findings from primary research with millennials in agriculture exploring “tensions”—seemingly opposing, yet simultaneously experienced forces—that represent key opportunities for marketers.
~ Email Marketing Still Works: Beefing Up the Basics
What if each $1 you spent on email marketing earned you $28? Email marketing still rocks the highest return on investment of any marketing medium. That is, if you do it right. Are you getting your $28 ROI? Jessica Best will speak to email’s place in a fast-moving, social media-ruled world, including making email work when and where your customers need it. She’ll talk about what works in 2014 and what the next new trends will likely be.

11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
Closing Session Luncheon – Through The Lens of a Leader
Bob Langert, McDonald’s Corp.

End your Fall Conference experience with a view of the major challenges facing ag today and a forecast for what lies ahead from an experienced industry veteran.

To register for the Fall Conference visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=63.

The 2013 Fall Conference was a big success with nearly 200 attendees in St. Louis at the Ritz-Carlton.

The Gateway Ag Tour kicked off the conference with a visit to the Monsanto Chesterfield Village facility and Chandler Hill Vineyards.

Keynote speaker Dr. Benjamin Akande opened the Fall Conference with a discussion on “Leading From Where You Are.”  He shared thought-provoking ideas and suggestions on how to be an effective, results focused leader within your organization.

Afternoon breakout sessions on the first day of  Fall Conference targeted agri-marketers ready to move up the career ladder and included in-depth topics such as mobile digital strategy, dealing with data storage in the Cloud and an Addy-winning case study.

The day ended with a networking reception at the new offices of  Brighton Agency.  Attendees enjoyed appetizers and cocktails courtesy of Brighton.

Former NFL head coach Brian Billick was the morning keynote speaker on day two.  Billick,  Super Bowl winning coach for the Baltimore Ravens and now an analyst for Fox Sports, talked to us about the essential elements for success that make up any dream team – on the football field or in the workplace. Listen to snippets from his talk – Billick1 or Billick 2.

Morning breakout sessions included topics on climate change and agriculture, baseline agriculture outlook and a panel discussion on the need for a new farm bill.

At the closing lunch, NAMA presented the 2013 Professional  Awards of Excellence.  These awards honor NAMA members with hands-on responsibility in marketing  and communications, public relations, product/species management and sales.  Congratulations to Gary Sakin – Monsanto, Linda Romander – broadhead., Zach Hetterick – Case IH, and Jay Carlson – Penton/Farm Progress.  Listen to the audio presentation of the PDA awards.

A perfect closing to the Fall Conference was  Tom Wilson, Monsanto US Marketing Lead, Deeds, Traits and Chemistry.  Tom provided a view of what ag is facing today and what lies ahead.

This meeting also marked the passing of the gavel from 2013 NAMA President Paul Redhage, FMC Agricultural Products, to incoming president Kenna Rathai, Kenna B. Rathai Communications.  Listen to Passing of the Gavel remarks.

An ABEF fundraiser was added to the conference this year to raise funds and create awareness about ABEF and how the foundation funds and supports student opportunities. This effort raised over $1000 that will go towards  scholarships, internships, student competitions and more to agri-marketing students across the country.  Attendees could purchase squares that referenced “ABEF” trivia  for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Starbucks or Best Buy.

A special congratulations to our incoming  executive committee members!  Scott McClure – Brighton Agency and Amber Harrison – United Suppliers, Inc.

View photos from the Gateway Ag Tour and the Fall Conference on Flickr or Agwired.com

The Fall Conference is approaching!  Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to amp up your professional development and learn practical marketing strategies.

Agri-marketers are always looking for opportunities to learn more … to challenge themselves and get better at what they do. The NAMA Fall Conference does all that and more. Take advantage of this chance to reconnect with colleagues and clients and sharpen up your skill set before the end of the year.

Inspired by the best of Agri-Marketing Conference, the Fall Conference was created to provide outstanding professional development opportunities and help you take your career to the next level.

How is it different? The breakouts are more specific and in-depth. You’ll find presentations on mobile digital strategy and dealing with data storage in the Cloud. The ag topics are also anything but run-of-the-mill. We’ll be talking policy and climate change.

So get ready to engage with high level content and high level leadership … energize your career and amp up your professional development … and empower yourself to take it to the next level.

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

To register for the NAMA Fall Conference and/or the Gateway Ag Tour, please visit https://www4983.ssldomain.com/nama/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=58

If you are interested in sponsoring a session or event at the Fall Conference, contact Jenny Pickett at 913-491-6500 or via email at [email protected].

Schedule

Monday, September 16

Tuesday, September 17

10:00-11:00a.m.	NAMA Board of Directors’ Meeting
11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.	NAMA Leader Workshop
1:00-2:30 p.m. Dr. Benjamin Akande	Leading From Where You Are Dr. Benjamin AkandeDr. Benjamin Akande believes the most effective leaders are those who are willing to take personal responsibility for the future of their organizations. In his keynote presentation, he’ll share thought-provoking ideas and suggestions on how to be an effective, result-focused leader within your organization. A Nigerian-born American citizen, he is Professor of Economics and Dean of Webster University’s largest academic unit, the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology, a position he has held since June 2000. Since November 2010, Dr. Akande has also served as Chief of Webster University’s Office of Corporate Partnerships. Currently, he is completing work on the book entitled The iPOD Generation: It’s Their World, We’re Just Living In It. Sponsored by John Deere
2:30 – 3:00 p.m	Break Sponsored by National Cotton Council
3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Tim Letscher Jay Harrison Heather Rueschhoff Joe Leahy Toni Edinger	Breakout Sessions Choose between one of three sessionsMobile Use in Rural America Tim Letscher, Director of Digital Strategy & Analytics, Colle+McVoy As the adoption of cell phones, especially smartphones, has exploded around the globe, how has it taken root in rural America? When broadband connectivity for desktops and laptops continues to be a challenge, the availability of fast data over a cell connection becomes a worthy alternative. In this session, we’ll look at the ways the smartphone revolution has impacted rural America and what’s to come. Big Data’s Effect on Marketing Jay Harrison, Data Mining Innovations Director at Maritz, Heather Rueschhoff, Director, Marketing and Communications, evolve24 How can data influence messaging, new markets, media strategy and customer relationships? As the volume, variety and velocity of data increases, so do the challenges for agribusinesses. Hear fresh perspectives on the opportunities for marketing that are available through smart use of big data. This panel presentation will discuss how social and content-based data can guide strategies for marketers. A National Addy Winning Case Study: The St. Louis Cardinals Joe Leahy – Partner, Chief Creative Officer, HLK Toni Edinger – Senior Brand Manager, HLK As the evolution of media consumption continues to become broader and more diverse, we have to change the way we approach communication. Traditionally, we act as advertisers in the sense that we push short, key messages through mass media to elicit a desired response. This approach no longer works. Learn how HLK worked with the St. Louis Cardinals to turn a campaign into a full-blown content strategy using a few videos and allowing fans to be a part of the conversation. This content ended up on their website, in online polls, as billboards, TV commercials, in social media and much more. And, took home over 20 awards including two national gold ADDY awards.
4:30-6:30 p.m.	Networking Reception at Brighton AgencyJoin your colleagues for a networking reception at Brighton Agency, conveniently located near the Ritz-Carlton.

Wednesday, September 18

8:00-8:30 a.m.	Continental Breakfast Sponsored by Penton/Farm Progress
8:30-10:00 a.m. Brian Billick	General Session The Essential Elements for Success Brian BillickHear from one of the NFL’s most successful and respected coaches on how to get the most out of your team …and raise morale in the process. In 2001, Brian Billick led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory only two years into his tenure. He credits his success to passion, teamwork and accountability. An innovative motivator who prides himself on leading by example, he demands a lot from his team and has the victories to prove his method works. Join Billick as he demonstrates how dedicated management, enthusiasm for the cause and respect and trust for your team will lead you to achieve your goals. You’ll learn the essential elements for success that make up any dream team—on the football field or in the workplace: • Power and passion • Respect for teammates • Sacrificing personal gain for the greater good • Personal discipline and responsibility • Exceeding goals
10:00-10:15 a.m.	Break
10:15-11:30 a.m. Sara Wyant Rodger Getz Dr. Patrick Westhoff	Breakout Sessions Choose between one of the following sessionsWill We Ever See a New Farm Bill? Moderator: Sara Wyant, President – Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc. This year’s farm bill has taken more twists and turns than a mountain roadway. These industry insiders give you the latest update on what’s happening now and share their perspective on what’s around the next curve. Climate Change and Agriculture – What It Means for Agri-Marketers Rodger Getz, AWIS Weather Services, Inc. Nothing affects agriculture more than the weather. This insightful session will take you well beyond the local weather report as you begin to consider the consequences of climate change on farmers AND agri-marketing. Baseline Agricultural Outlook Dr. Patrick Westhoff, Director, Food and Agricultural Technology Institute-Missouri (FAPRI) Markets are still feeling the aftereffects of the 2012 drought, and commodity prices in the months ahead will be very sensitive to new estimates of the size of the 2013 crop, developments in the macro-economy and a host of other factors. Dr. Westhoff will discuss FAPRI-MU’s latest outlook projections, the reasons why the outlook is uncertain, and what that implies about the risks and opportunities faced by U.S. agriculture. The farm bill debate has also seen many twists and turns the past two years. Westhoff will cover the latest farm policy news, some possible scenarios for the future, and what it all means to farmers, agribusiness, consumers and taxpayers.
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Awards Luncheon – Closing SessionEnjoy lunch as we honor the Professional Development Awards of Excellence award winners and pass the gavel to the incoming NAMA president. Each year, NAMA honors members with hands-on responsibility in marketing communications, public relations, product/species management and sales. Awards will be given in each of these areas and the recipients will share their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities in agri-marketing. Professional Development Awards sponsored by Penton/Farm Progress Through the Lens of a Leader Tom Wilson, Monsanto US Marketing Leads, Seed, Traits and Chemistry A perfect closing to the Fall Conference. This session welcomes an industry leader from Monsanto for a view of what ag is facing today and what lies ahead. Sponsored by National Ag Day

Registration is open for the 2013 Fall Conference, September 17 – 18, Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, MO.  Inspired by the best of Agri-Marketing Conference, the Fall Conference was created to provide outstanding professional development opportunities and help you take your career to the next level.  For details visit http://www.nama.org/fall/index.htm and register today!

Fall Conference Schedule:

Monday, September 16

Tuesday, September 17

1:00 – 2:30 p.m. – General Session
Leading From Where You Are

Dr. Benjamin Akande Dr. Benjamin Akande believes the most effective leaders are those who are willing to take personal responsibility for the future of their organizations. In his keynote presentation, he’ll share thought-provoking ideas and suggestions on how to be an effective, result-focused leader within your organization.

A Nigerian-born American citizen, he is Professor of Economics and Dean of Webster University’s largest academic unit, the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology, a position he has held since June 2000. Since November 2010, Dr. Akande has also served as Chief of Webster University’s Office of Corporate Partnerships. Currently, he is completing work on the book entitled The iPOD Generation: It’s Their World, We’re Just Living In It.

2:30 – 3:00 p.m –  Break

3:00 – 4:30 p.m.  Breakout Sessions ( choose one)

Mobile Use in Rural America

Tim Letscher, Director of Digital Strategy & Analytics, Colle+McVoy

As the adoption of cell phones, especially smartphones, has exploded around the globe, how has it taken root in rural America? When broadband connectivity for desktops and laptops continues to be a challenge, the availability of fast data over a cell connection becomes a worthy alternative. In this session, we’ll look at the ways the smartphone revolution has impacted rural America and what’s to come.

Big Data’s Effect on Marketing

Jay Harrison, Data Mining Innovations Director at Maritz, Heather Rueschhoff, Director, Marketing and Communications, evolve24 Representatives from Xcelerated Marketing

How data can influence messaging, new markets, media strategy and customer relationships. As the volume, variety and velocity of data increases, so do the challenges for agribusinesses. Hear fresh perspectives on the opportunities for marketing that are available through smart use of big data. This session will be a panel from Meredith Xcelerated Marketing and Evolve24 that will discuss how social and content-based data can guide strategies for marketers.

A National Addy Winning Case Study: The St. Louis Cardinals

Joe Leahy – Partner, Chief Creative Officer, HLK

Toni Edinger – Senior Brand Manager, HLK
As the evolution of media consumption continues to become broader and more diverse, we have to change the way we approach communication. Traditionally, we act as advertisers in the sense that we push short, key messages through mass media to elicit a desired response. This approach no longer works. Learn how HLK worked with the St. Louis Cardinals to turn a campaign into a full-blown content strategy using a few videos and allowing fans to be a part of the conversation. This content ended up on their website, in online polls, as billboards, TV commercials, in social media and much more. And, took home over 20 awards including two national gold ADDY awards.

4:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Networking Reception at Brighton Agency

Join your colleagues for a networking reception at Brighton Agency, conveniently located to the Ritz Carlton.

Wednesday, September 18

8:00 – 8:30 a.m. – Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 10:00 a.m. – General Session

The Essential Elements for Success
Brian Billick

Hear from one of the NFL’s most successful and respected coaches on how to get the most out of your team …and raise morale in the process. In 2001, Brian Billick led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory only two years into his tenure. He credits his success to passion, teamwork and accountability. An innovative motivator who prides himself on leading by example, he demands a lot from his team and has the victories to prove his method works. Join Billick as he demonstrates how dedicated management, enthusiasm for the cause and respect and trust for your team will lead you to achieve your goals. You’ll learn the essential elements for success that make up any dream team—on the football field or in the workplace:

• Power and passion

• Respect for teammates

• Sacrificing personal gain for the greater good

• Personal discipline and responsibility

• Exceeding goals

10:00 – 10:15 a.m. – Break

10:15 – 11:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions (choose one)

Will We Ever See a New Farm Bill?

Moderator: Sara Wyant – Agri-Pulse

This year’s farm bill has taken more twists and turns than a mountain roadway. These industry insiders give you the latest update on what’s happening now and share their perspective on what’s around the next curve.

Climate Change and Agriculture – What It Means for Agri-Marketers

Rodger R. Getz, AWIS Weather Services, Inc.

Nothing affects agriculture more than the weather. This insightful session will take you well beyond the local weather report as you begin to consider the consequences of climate change on farmers AND agri-marketing.

Baseline Agricultural Outlook

Dr. Patrick Westhoff, Director, Food and Agricultural Technology Institute- Missouri (FAPRI)

Markets are still feeling the aftereffects of the 2012 drought, and commodity prices in the months ahead will be very sensitive to new estimates of the size of the 2013 crop, developments in the macro-economy and a host of other factors. Dr. Westhoff will discuss FAPRI-MU’s latest outlook projections, the reasons why the outlook is uncertain, and what that implies about the risks and opportunities faced by U.S. agriculture. The farm bill debate has also seen many twists and turns the past two years. Westhoff will cover the latest farm policy news, some possible scenarios for the future, and what it all means to farmers, agribusiness, consumers and taxpayers.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Awards Luncheon – Closing Session

Enjoy lunch as we honor the Professional Development Awards of Excellence award winners and pass the gavel to the incoming NAMA president. Each year, NAMA honors members with hands-on responsibility in marketing communications, public relations, product/species management and sales. Awards will be given in each of these areas and the recipients will share their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities in agri-marketing.

Through the Lens of a Leader

C-Suite Executive from Monsanto

A perfect closing to the Fall Conference. This session will welcome an industry leader from Monsanto for a view of what ag is facing today and what lies ahead.

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

To register for the NAMA Fall Conference and/or the Gateway Ag Tour, please visit https://www4983.ssldomain.com/nama/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=58

If you are interested in sponsoring a session or event at the Fall Conference,  contact Jenny Pickett at 913-491-6500 or via email at [email protected].