Just prior to the Best of NAMA awards ceremony the finalists get to gather for a reception which was sponsored by the Farm Progress Companies.

Here’s conference chairman, Barry Nelson, John Deere (second from left) with the hosts of the reception enjoying some conversation.

I’ll have to find time to get an interview with Barry to see what he thinks of things so far.

Carol Anderson is helping keep NAMA members who can’t attend the conference up to date on what’s happening with a daily email called, “Postcards from Dallas.” Here’s how she started the first one yesterday:

Greetings from Dallas!

NAMA members from across the country are flocking to Dallas – the city of BIG dreams, feisty armadillos and rugged cowboy trail blazers – to attend NAMA’s 50th annual National Agri-Marketing Conference. And because you can’t be with us this year, we thought we’d bring the conference to you through this daily postcard from Dallas.

The emailed postcard contains some highlights of the day and directs members right here to the NAMA blog to see and learn even more. Very cool idea don’t you think? Good job Carol.

Thanks to Carol Anderson I have the results of the ABEF Golf Tournament.

They are:

Longest Drive: Bob Brunker
Straightest Drive: Jason Weil
Closest to Pin: John Shospak
Longest Putt – Male: Ted Haller
Longest Putt – Female: Leigh Ann Cleaver

Team Awards went to:

First Place:
Roger Reierson
David Lundquist
Matt Herman
Sheri Seger

Second Place:
Will Murphy
Bill Pool
Jim Arnold
Steve Custer

Third Place:
Ted Haller
Bill Farmakis
Bob Brunker
Marvin Kokes

Stephanie Gable is currently the president of NAMA. Here she’s listening to a report in today’s board meeting. I recorded a short conversation with her this morning.

I think you’ll hear her passion for our business and for NAMA that has made her a leader and one we can be proud of. I asked her to share any information she has on what the organization is doing to seek a replacement for outgoing executive director, Eldon White. She talks about NAMA being 50 years old and how it’s a time to not only look at the past but to the future.

You can listen to my interview with Stephanie here: Interview With Stephanie Gable (8 min MP3)

In this day and age you’ve got to be able to get online.

Here at the convention that’s being made publicly possible by Farm Journal Media.

This Cyber Cafe is out in front of registration and has had people using it every time I’ve come by it today.

I view it as a backup in case my computer’s broadband card doesn’t work so that I can still get posts done. I’ve had to do it from more than one convention.

If you attended the Chapter Leader’s Workshop here you received a complimentary copy of Roy William’s book, “The Secret Formulas of the Wizard of Ads.”

Roy will be Opening Session speaker tomorrow as he reveals the 12 most common mistakes in advertising among other things.

During the morning session participants broke into groups by region to create worksheets with chapter planning ideas.

The books were made possible by High Plains Journal.

At the Chapter Leader’s Workshop, Angela Jamison, Chair of the Chapter Services Committee had her thinking big cap on.

Actually I think it’s a wizard’s hat which ties into the theme of the session, “The Secret Formula of a Successful NAMA Leader.”

Still not clear on this?

Check the next post and it will become more clear.