Almost 1,200 attend annual Agri-Marketing Conference

The National Agri-Marketing Conference returned to Kansas City for 2015 and that suited NAMA just fine.

“We always have a great crowd when the conference is in Kansas City,” shared Jenny Pickett, NAMA CEO. “With so much exhilarating new content this year, there was a lot of buzz around the sessions.”

That new content included breakout sessions on forecasting global ag trends, consumer digital and the creation and effective use of video content. There were also plenty of sessions for the creatives in the house this year as well.

“We had sessions on everything from marketing ethics and brainstorming techniques to emotional and multisensory marketing,” said Pickett. “The agri-marketers that come to the NAMA Conference have high expectations and we have to deliver. I think people left with new ideas and insights they can use when they get back to their desks at the office.”

After a fun evening that celebrated the Best of NAMA Awards and honored the talented agencies responsible for the best campaigns of the year, the full conference got off to a fascinating start with geopolitical strategist, Peter Zeihan. He shared why America is poised to prosper agriculturally, financially and economically in the years ahead.

The Agribusiness Leader of the Year and NAMA Marketer of the Year Awards were both presented during the first half of the day also. Clinton Lewis, Zoetis, took home Agribusiness Leader of the Year and longtime champion of NAMA, Paul Redhage, was honored with the NAMA Marketer of the Year Award. An emotional Redhage thanked the “teams” that he said made his long career in agri-marketing so successful and so fulfilling.

After Dr. Jackie Freiberg spoke to a packed audience about leadership styles of the future, NAMA Conference attendees headed to lunch in the Connection Point before taking in the breakout sessions that afternoon.

The final day of conference kicked off with more breakouts before NAMA welcomed Keni Thomas to the stage for the closing session. Thomas shared the harrowing events of October 3, 1993, when he and fellow rangers found themselves in an 18-hour firefight in Mogadishu. The events were later recounted in the book and movie, “Blackhawk Down.” In his moving presentation, Thomas emphasized the importance of courage and leadership at every level.

Throughout it all, attendees hailed the ample opportunities to network and “grow greatness” at the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference.

Check out some great photos from NAMA’s week in KC on the NAMA Flickr page!

Check out the six finalists of the Student Marketing Competition on the NAMA YouTube page!

If you missed out on one of the sessions, or if you want to see it again, click here.

NOTE: This webpage is on the Member’s Only Section of the website, so you will need to login to your account first. After you are logged in, go to the Member Dashboard and click on 2015 AMC Presentations. We will be updating this page as we get permission from the speakers, so make sure to check back often.

It’s not too late! You can still register for the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference in Kansas City! With outstanding keynote speakers, breakout sessions to blow your mind and countless networking opportunities, you do not want to miss out on this experience. Just go online and register now!

Check out this updated list of who will be in Kansas City next week!

Peter Zeihan has replaced Jim Crupi as Keynote Speaker

Zeihan will join Hank Moore, Dr. Jackie Freiberg and Keni Thomas in the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference Keynote Speaker Line Up! See below for a description of his session and a short biography.

U.S. Economy and Agriculture: Powers of Yesterday, Powers of Tomorrow 
Americans believe that their greatest days are behind them and that new powers are rising up to displace them. On the contrary, America’s best days — militarily, economically, agriculturally, financially and culturally — are still ahead of them. In fact, many of the countries that the Americans feel are up-and-comers are merely experiencing a historical moment in the sun courtesy of factors utterly beyond their control. The major powers of 2030 will not be based in Beijing or Moscow, but in Jakarta, Buenos Aires, Warsaw, Istanbul and Mexico City.

Peter Zeihan is a geopolitical strategist who has lived in the world of international affairs throughout his career. He launched his own firm, Zeihan on Geopolitics, in 2012 in order to specialize in customized executive briefings for his clients. In his new life Zeihan applies his 12 years of intelligence experience and a geopolitical perspective to the needs of his clients and helps them see their industries from a new point of view.

Zeihan is a frequent guest on CNN, ABC and Fox News. He is frequently interviewed for radio programs and has been quoted in the New York Times, Forbes and Bloomberg. Zeihan’s first independent book, The Accidental Superpower, was published in 2014.

Use #NAMA15 for all your tweets about this year’s conference!

Do you want to put support behind your alma mater? Have you met some NAMA students who go above and beyond? Does a certain school give you that feeling they could be this year’s winner?

Now you can join in on the fun and excitement of the NAMA Student Marketing Competition by playing “Sensational Six” …… Powered by ABEF!

Click here to make your prediction for a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card!

ABEF will be hosting a Golf Outing, Tuesday, April 14. Gather your foursome and enjoy a relaxing day of golf in beautiful Kansas City before the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference begins.

The ABEF Golf Outing will take place at The Duece at the National Golf Course. A chartered bus will leave the hotel at 11:30 a.m. to take everyone to the golf course and a boxed lunch and beverages will be provided. Tee time begins at 1:00 p.m. An awards ceremony and reception will cap your day on the greens. Cost for the outing is $195 per golfer.

Register today and check out the website for more details!

Only 4 days left to save!

The early bird registration cut-off is this Thursday, March 19! Make sure to register before then for the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference on April 15-17, in Kansas City, MO.

If you haven’t booked your room yet, make sure you do so before March 19th as well! That is also the cut-off date for the hotel – if you don’t reserve a room by that date, you will not be able to save money on the NAMA room rate! The Sheraton hotel is currently sold out so please make reservations at the Westin Crown Center instead. The Sheraton Crown Center is easily accessible from the Westin via a sky walkway.

ABEF Golf Outing:

The Agri-Business Educational Foundation (ABEF) will be hosting a Golf Outing, Tuesday, April 14. Gather your foursome and enjoy a relaxing day of golf in beautiful Kansas City before the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference begins.

The ABEF Golf Outing will take place at the Duece at the National Golf Course. A chartered bus will leave the hotel at 11:30 a.m. to take everyone to the golf course and a boxed lunch and beverages will be provided. Tee time begins at 1:00 p.m. An awards ceremony and reception will cap your day on the greens. Cost for the outing is $195 per golfer.

Register today and check out the website for more details!

ABEF Silent Auction:

Contribute items to the Silent Auction and help support the future of agribusiness! With different categories like wearables, professional services and entertainment, there are many options for you to choose from. Click here to make a pledge! 

Sponsorship:

Looking for other ways to get noticed? Get in touch with Jenny Pickett for sponsorship opportunities.

Visit the AMC homepage for conference, hotel and registration details.

Use #NAMA15 for all your tweets about this year’s conference!

Only 17 days left to save!

The early bird registration cut-off is March 19! Make sure to register before then for the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference on April 15-17, in Kansas City, MO.

If you haven’t booked your room at the Sheraton Crown Center yet, make sure you do so before March 19th as well! That is also the cut-off date for the hotel – if you don’t reserve a room by that date, you will not be able to save money on the NAMA room rate! The hotel is filling up so make your reservations today!

Connection Point:

Looking for opportunities to place your company’s products and services before decision-makers in the ag marketplace? There is still some booth space available in NAMA’s Connection Point! Put your company front and center. With nearly 1,200 professionals in attendance, there’s no better way to get noticed. Influencers will take note when you purchase booth space on this trade show floor. Lunch and refreshment breaks are scheduled to maximize traffic and draw the clients and customers you want to meet! Contact Lauren Giarratano to book your booth or reserve your space online today!

ABEF Golf Outing:

The Agri-Business Educational Foundation (ABEF) will be hosting a Golf Outing, Tuesday, April 14. Gather your foursome and enjoy a relaxing day of golf in beautiful Kansas City before the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference begins.

The ABEF Golf Outing will take place at the Duece at the National Golf Course. A chartered bus will leave the hotel at 11:30 a.m. to take everyone to the golf course and a boxed lunch and beverages will be provided. Tee time begins at 1:00 p.m. An awards ceremony and reception will cap your day on the greens. Cost for the outing is $195 per golfer.

Register today and check out the website for more details!

Sponsorship:

Looking for other ways to get noticed? Get in touch with Jenny Pickett for sponsorship opportunities.

Visit the AMC homepage for conference, hotel and registration details.

Use #NAMA15 for all your tweets about this year’s conference!

The NAMA Block at the Sheraton Crown Center is NOT FULL!

There are still plenty of rooms available in both the Professional and Student Blocks. If you try to reserve a room and have any issues with the hotel stating that the block is full, please call the National office immediately (913) 491-6500 or email [email protected]. We will either fix the issue or book your room directly. If you call the hotel to reserve your room, please make sure to specify if you are a student or professional in order for you to get the correct room type. To book a room online, please follow one of the links below:
Professional Block

Student Block

The early bird registration cut-off is just about a month away! Make sure to register before March 19, 2015  for the 2015 Agri-Marketing Conference on April 15-17, in Kansas City, MO.

If you haven’t booked your room at the Sheraton Crown Center yet, make sure you do so before March 19th as well! That is also the cut-off date for the hotel – if you don’t reserve a room by that date, you will not be able to save money on the NAMA room rate!

Connection Point:

Looking for opportunities to place your company’s products and services before decision-makers in the ag marketplace? There is still booth space available in NAMA’s Connection Point! Put your company front and center. With nearly 1,200 professionals in attendance, there’s no better way to get noticed. Influencers will take note when you purchase booth space on this trade show floor. Lunch and refreshment breaks are scheduled to maximize traffic and draw the clients and customers you want to meet! Contact Lauren Giarratano to book your booth or reserve your space online today!

Sponsorship:

Looking for other ways to get noticed? Get in touch with Jenny Pickett for sponsorship opportunities.

Visit the AMC homepage for conference, hotel and registration details.

Use #NAMA15 for all your tweets about this year’s conference!