The 2007 Agribusiness Forum will seek to demonstrate some of the elements that affect the way we do business. For example, things that happen on the other side of the world impact how we do business every day, including politics, economics and communications. These things pull our chain. Consumers expect a safe food supply and those expectations pull our chain, or impact the way we do business. Technology also has an impact on perceptions and opportunities for us as marketers. In addition, consumer trust, who they trust and why, right or wrong also pulls at our chain or the way we market and do business.

Many different elements can set off a chain reaction. This fall’s Agribusiness Forum will give you a glimpse into the role some of these entities play in our day-to-day business world as we explore who’s pulling our chain. Join us November 13-14 in Kansas City as we hear from noted economists, reporters, consumer food experts and more as they set the stage for how your business can face these challenges.

International economist Don Reynolds will kick off the 2007 Forum. Reynolds presents a fast-paced overview of major trends in the global economy and how it will impact agriculture. He is a firm believer that globalization will mean a golden age for American agriculture. He will discuss economic trends, currencies, energy, interest rates and the recent volatility in the financial markets and what you do to prepare for this change.

Other confirmed speakers at the Forum include: Mary Rosenthal, NatureWorks; Claudia Mobly, Sam Walton College of Business Center for Retailing; Matt McInney, Minneapolis Star Tribune; Additional speakers will be announced. Check the web for details at www.nama.org/forum.

Awards Luncheon
Join in congratulating the honorees of this year’s NAMA Professional Development Awards of Excellence. Each year, NAMA honors members with hands-on responsibility in marketing communications, public relations, product management and sales. Awards will be given in each of these four areas and the recipients will share their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities in agri-marketing.

The Agribusiness Forum will take place at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. This hotel is near where the NAFB Convention will be held.

New This Year!
This year’s forum will be moderated by Jeff Pence, president of Farm Journal Digital Media, which includes the company’s internet, television and newsletter businesses.

Prior to Farm Journal Media, Pence was the President and Director of Qualitron Media, a closely held company that produced and distributed the national television programs, AgDay and WeekEnd MarketPlace. This business was acquired by Farm Journal in 1998, and Pence continues senior management responsibilities with the company today.

In his role as forum moderator, Pence will summarize each session and help attendees relate the information to their businesses.

If you are interested in sponsoring a session or event at this year’s Forum, fill out the on-line form at http://www.nama.org/forum/sponsorship/form.htm or contact Jenny Pickett in the NAMA office at (913) 491-6500 or via e-mail at [email protected].

New speakers have been added to the Agribusiness Forum, Who’s Pulling Our Chain, November 13-14, at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.

On Tuesday, November 13, Don Reynolds, real world economist, futurist and international expert will kickoff the Forum and a representative from Hy-Vee will help us find out Who’s Pulling Our Chain.

Wednesday, November 14, will begin with Matt McKinney, Minnesota Star Tribune, addressing attendees on Food Safety. Our next speaker will be Mary Rosenthal, NatureWorks. Following the Professional Development Awards of Excellence luncheon, Claudia Mobly, director of the Sam M. Walton College of Business Center for Retailing Excellence, will address attendees. In addition, the Forum will close with a session on marketing to the Rural Lifestyler.

Stay tuned to the Agribusiness Forum web site for session topics, speaker information, registration and hotel information at http://www.nama.org/forum/index.html.

The Agribusiness Forum, November 13-14 will focus on Who’s Pulling Our Chain. Don Reynolds, real world economist, futurist and international expert is expected to kick-off the 2007 Forum.

Having served 11 years as Chairman of the Investment Advisory Board of a $22 Billion trust fund, Reynolds success resulted in his being appointed by George W. Bush as Pension Board Chairman with oversight of $120 Billion in Pension & Trust Funds. He understands how important personal accountability and bottom line performance is, and the need for decision makers to have a clear vision of future trends and events in order to make successful long term strategic decisions.

Reynolds has lived 14 years overseas, visited over 50 countries, has lectured on Free Market Systems at the University of Moscow, spoken about the Global Economy for the Saudi Arabian Central Bank, keynoted the Australian IT Summit, advised the Heavy Equipment Industry in Rome, keynoted for international correspondents in Indonesia and spoken on the impact of global warming in Santiago.

Reynolds has a Masters Degree in Public Administration/Planning, a Doctoral background in Economics, and is a graduate of the Securities Industry Institute of the Wharton School. He has an honorary degree from the University of Moscow and was the first American member of the Moscow Center for Consulting Scientists.

Registration for the Agribusiness Forum is now open! Register at http://payment.nama.org/forum.htm.

For more information on the Agribusiness Forum, keep checking the Forum web site at http://www.nama.org/forum/index.html.

As a sponsor of the Agribusiness Forum, your organization will be noted as a front runner in supporting up-to-the-moment industry information. Additional benefits include:

• Recognition in the program booklet, and from the podium during the session;
• Recognition by signage at the sponsored event (if applicable);
• Recognition in post-forum articles in the AgriMarketing magazine;
• Recognition on the NAMA Agribusiness Forum Web site page;
• and, first right of refusal for sponsorship of the same item for the 2008 Agribusiness Forum.

Special thanks to our Forum sponsors to date:

AgriMarketing Magazine
Ag Speakers Network
Associations, Inc.
Beck Ag, Inc.
Cattlemen’s Beef Board
Colle + McVoy
Diamond V
DTN/The Progressive Farmer
High Plains Journal
Hoard’s Dairyman
John Deere
McCormick Company
National Cotton Council of America
Padilla Speer Beardsley
Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl., Inc.
Successful Farming/Agriculture Online

For a list of sponsor opportunities visit http://www.nama.org/forum/sponsorship/sponsorship.htm or download the opportunities in an Adobe .pdf format at http://www.nama.org/forum/sponsorship/SponsorshipOpportunities.pdf.

If you are interested in sponsoring a session or event at this year’s Forum, fill out the on-line form at http://www.nama.org/forum/sponsorship/form.htm or contact Jenny Pickett in the NAMA office at (913) 491-6500 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Nominate someone you know for the Professional Development Awards of Excellence. These awards will be presented at the 2007 Agribusiness Forum, November 13-14, at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.

The awards honor NAMA members based on outstanding achievement in each of the Professional Development Areas (PDA): (1) Marketing Communications; (2) Product/Species Management; (3) Public Relations; and (4) Sales. Nominees must be NAMA members. Nominators should target individuals with direct planning and execution responsibilities in the respective Professional Development Area from agribusiness and related companies.

The deadline for submitting nominations is September 1. If you have any questions regarding these awards, please contact Jenny Pickett at [email protected].

To download the nomination form in an Adobe .PDF format, visit http://www.nama.org/awards/PDAapplication.pdf.

You can also fill out the form on-line at http://www.nama.org/awards/pdaonlineform.htm.

Get the recognition you deserve by sponsoring a session or event at the 2007 Agribusiness Forum, November 13-14 in Kansas City.

As a sponsor of the Agribusiness Forum, your organization will be noted as a front runner in supporting up-to-the-moment industry information. Additional benefits include:

• Recognition in the program booklet, and from the podium during the session;
• Recognition by signage at the sponsored event (if applicable);
• Recognition in post-forum articles in the AgriMarketing magazine;
• Recognition on the NAMA Agribusiness Forum Web site page;
• and, first right of refusal for sponsorship of the same item for the 2008 Agribusiness Forum.

If you are interested in sponsoring a session or event at this year’s Forum, contact Jenny Pickett in the NAMA office at (913) 491-6500 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Again this year, the NAMA Agribusiness Forum takes place prior to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) convention. The Forum will take place at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center which is near the NAFB hotel.

The goal of the NAMA Advocate program is to enlist a core group of NAMA members to help recruit new members and advocate for the organization.

The NAMA Advocate program is part of the overall “Cultivating Connections” membership plan. Your efforts are part of the bigger membership picture. The national NAMA membership committee is working with chapters on recruiting while simultaneously the NAMA office is working on targeted prospecting. With recruiting efforts in place at the local and national level, we hope to increase NAMA membership over the course of the year. It is important as an advocate, that you work with local chapters and the NAMA office and, likewise, you have support when you need it.

What will I have to do?
You’ll receive membership materials from the NAMA office. You’ll be expected to seek out potential members and lay the groundwork for recruiting members. After making contact, you’ll coordinate the follow up through the NAMA office. Or you can follow up to “Close the deal.”

What will I get in return?
Along with the satisfaction of helping the organization you’ll be recognized in the NAMA News section of Agri Marketing magazine, and in the National NAMA e-news. You’ll be recognized at the Agribusiness Forum and the Agri-Marketing Conference with a ribbon on your name badge. You will also be invited to the “First Timer/Leader” event at the conference.

NAMA Advocates include:

Ken Anderson, David & Associates
Sally Behringer, Nicholson Kovac, Inc.
Leigh Ann Cleaver, Blasdel Cleaver Schwalbe Communications
Sandy Creighton, Farm Progress Companies
Jean Custer, Case New Holland
Ken Dean, High Plains Journal
Lee Dueringer, Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation
Dawn Foster, Farm Credit Services of America
Teresa Hinrichs, CMS
Angela Jamison, Communicopia
Phil Johnson, Colle+McVoy
Amy Jolliff, Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Commications
Kim Lang, Brownfield Network
Bev Larson, NK Brand Seeds
Sue Lee, Farm Journal Media
Tom Mahoney
Kara McDonald, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association
Robert Ratliff, ProfitableFarming.com Corp.
Jane Schroeder, NC+ Hybrids
Don Schultz, Clear Channel Ag Networks
Joe Shefchik, PR Marketing Precise Results
Tom Smull, Associations, Inc.
Lori Strum, Strategic America
Frank Timberlake, R.F. Timberlake & Co., Inc.
Cyndi Treadway, Exhibit Resources, Inc.
Stephanie Vinton-Pollock, Agri-Access
Catherine Wang, Gibbs & Soell
Jeff Winton, Schering-Plough Corp.
Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm New Media

Sign up today be a NAMA Advocate at http://www.nama.org/advocate/advocatesignup.htm.