You only have until Monday, April 7, to recruit new members and take home a new iPod NANO after the conference!

New members who join NAMA between January 1 and April 7, 2008, will be entered into a drawing for an 8GB iPod NANO.

In addition, existing NAMA members who recruit these new members will also be entered into the drawing. Just make sure when you recruit a member that they put your name in the “referred by” space on the membership application.

The drawing for the iPod will take place at the Connection Point Closing Reception on Thursday, April 17 at the 2008 Agri-Marketing Conference, but you need not be present to win.

You know what sessions you will attend to help you Lead the Charge, but what are some fun things you can do at the conference? Below are a list of events to help you network and have some fun with your peers in Kansas City.

The Connection Point
Celebrate the best of the best with the Best of NAMA Celebration Reception. The reception kicks-off the opening of the Connection Point and is courtesy of DTN/The Progressive Farmer. You’ll also be able to view the winning entries from Best of NAMA Awards. You don’t want to miss out! The DTN/The Progressive Farmer reception will take place after the Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony on April 16, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

In addition, each exhibitors’ booth will have a place to drop off your business card so you can have a chance to win a 7″ digital picture frame. These drawings will happen at the end of each session of the Connection Point. In addition to the digital picture frames, there will be a grand prize drawing for an iPod NANO. This iPod is perfect for your trip home from Kansas City.

BINGO! That’s right, Bingo! Pick up a bingo card at the Connection Point Luncheon, Thursday, April 17 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. and make your way around the trade show booths to get your bingo. Exhibitors will have 2 bingo numbers each and will mark your cards just for coming by their booth! If you have a bingo, drop your winning bingo card in the drawing for a Best Buy Gift Card worth $250! Individual booths may be doing drawings of their own, so don’t miss visiting any booths!

In addition to bingo, meet your peers for a Kansas City barbecue luncheon in the Connection Point, courtesy of Truffle Media Networks. The luncheon will take place from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. In addition, you can meet some of the students in an informal setting and explore possible mentoring opportunities during the Mentor Luncheon also in the Connection Point. This luncheon will provide students with an avenue to gain information from professionals about careers and opportunities. Special thanks to MoKan NAMA and Technekes for sponsoring the Mentor Luncheon.

Win a Wii! Stop by the afternoon break in the Connection Point courtesy of Gibbs & Soell and enjoy an ice cream treat courtesy of Hoard’s Dairyman magazine. The Nintendo Wii is a hot item that is hard to come by, so don’t miss your chance to win! We will draw the winner from the business cards that were dropped in the boxes at each booth for the picture frame drawing.

In addition to the prizes, have some fun getting your picture taken with your face in sheriff and saloon girl cutouts. Also, try your hand at roping. Hop on a metal horse and try to rope the metal calf that shoots out.

Don’t forget, when visiting the Connection Point, to stop by the ABEF Silent Auction and place your bid on any number of items. All proceeds will benefit the Student NAMA Careers program.

Another way to support the Careers Program is to buy a raffle ticket from a student. Students will be selling raffle tickets which will put you in a drawing for a 50″ TV. Don’t pass up on your opportunity to win! Special thanks to Penton Media for sponsoring the raffle.

Any time you’re at the Connection Point, you can quench your thirst at the Farm Business Communications refreshment station. After you quench your thirst, take some time to relax at the Nicholson Kovac Relaxation Station.

Your First Agri-Marketing Conference
Is this your first time at the Agri-Marketing Conference? If so, members of the NAMA Leadership want to welcome you and other first-timers at Skies Restaurant on top of the Hyatt Regency Crown Center on Wednesday, April 16, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. This is a great way to network with NAMA Leaders and your peers. Special thanks to John Deere for sponsoring the Leader/First-Timer Reception.
Dine-A-Round
On Thursday, April 17, join members of the NAMA Executive Committee for dinner. Executive Committee members will be at Milano’s in the Crown Center mall at 7:30 p.m. Join NAMA leadership and other conference attendees for dinner, dutch treat. It’s a great way to get to know other members and leaders. Stop by the NAMA registration desk to sign up!

If you are unable to attend the Agri-Marketing Conference, don’t feel left out. Stay connected to the conference right here at the NAMA e-News blog (www.namaconnect.org). Special thanks to Successful Farming/Agriculture Online for sponsoring the Conference blog.

We’ll also keep you connected with “Postcards from Kansas City” courtesy of VML. Check your email inbox to see what’s going on in Kansas City.

Stay tuned to the blog after the conference to view the photo albums from conference.