Mark your calendars and check out an upcoming chapter event!

If you have events planned for the 2008-2009 year and they are not listed on the calendar at https://www.namablog.org/?page_id=16, please send the information to Kathi Conrad at [email protected] to get it on the calendar.

February 17

Heartland NAMA
Strategies for Marketing
Join Heartland NAMA for lunch on Tuesday, February 17 from Noon – 2:00 p.m. for Strategies for Marketing with Krista Kinney, Illinois State Fair Marketing. The event will take place at the Illinois Department of Agriculture at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, IL.

Please RSVP to Theresa Miller at [email protected]. Lunch will be provided by Heartland NAMA.

Midlands NAMA
Social Networking and The New Range War?
Join Midlands NAMA on Tuesday, February 17 on using social networking in the media with Randy Krotz, Sr. Vice President, Director of Marketing, v-Fluence.

This meeting will take place from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Omaha in LaVista, NE. Pre-registration cost is $25 and $30 for on-site registrations. Please RSVP to Steve Johnson, Swanson Russell at [email protected] or call 402-492-3230. Lunch is included.

February 18

MoKan NAMA
Join MoKan NAMA for Conquering the Generational Divide: Managing, Marketing and Serving with Susanne C. Medley, President of Customer Communication Group on Wednesday, February 18.

The meeting will begin with networking and lunch at 11:30 a.m. followed by the speaker at 12:00 noon. MoKan will meet at The Golden Ox Restaurant, 1600 Genessee St. (near Kemper Arena), Kansas City, Missouri. Meal cost is $15 for members, $25 for non-members.

Please RSVP to Amy Bugg at [email protected] or call 816.584.8444.

Badger NAMA
Marketing to the Badgers!
Learn how Badger Sports Properties helps market UW Badger athletics by partnering with businesses in Wisconsin. The event will take place from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kohl Center on the UW-Madison Campus.

Shake off the winter blues by socializing with your NAMA colleagues. Light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments included in the admission fee. Admission is $10 for NAMA members and free to student NAMA members!

Please RSVP to Tom Thieding, Rural Mutual Insurance at [email protected].

February 19

Midsouth NAMA
World Cotton Outlook and Current Policies
Join Midsouth NAMA for lunch on Thursday, February 19 beginning at 11:15 a.m. at Corky’s Restaurant, 1740 N. Germantown Pkwy., Cordova, TN.

Dr. Gary Adams, NCC Vice President of Economics and Policy Analysis, will discuss the world cotton outlook and current policies facing the cotton industry. He will give a farm bill update, as well as highlight the various trade and economic issues facing the industry. Additionally, he will give a brief summary of the NCC’s planting intentions survey.

To RSVP, visit http://survey.archermalmo.com/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=86K2972.

February 26

Great Plains NAMA
Join the Great Plains Chapter at Commodity Classic 2009, in Grapevine, Texas.

All NAMA members and their guests are invited to a gathering at 6:30 pm on Thursday, February 26th, at the Texan Station, 19th Hole, in the Gaylord Texan Hotel. A $100 gift certificate for KC Steaks will be given away! A cash bar will be available. No RSVP needed; just wear your name tags and come and be social.

(If anyone wants to donate additional door prizes, they will be appreciated. Just bring them that night to the social or email [email protected].)

February 28

NAMA Bombers Event
Is your shifting foot itching? Scratch it at a special post-Commodity Classic NAMA Bombers Ride Saturday, February 28 around Dallas.

We’ll be renting bikes from SportRyder Rentals (renting sport bikes, touring bikes and cruisers, on the Web at www.SportRyderRentals.com) and riding in the countryside around Big-D. Exact start and end times to be determined based on schedules of riders.

And, new this year, we’re launching the NAMA Bombers Auxiliary for anyone who loves to ride on a bike but doesn’t want to drive one. Auxiliary spots are limited based on riders and willingness to carry a passenger, so sign up early.

If you’re interested in driving or riding, contact Jill “Biker Momma” Wenzel at [email protected] for more information. Rides will be available to and from the bike pick-up/drop-off spot, which is conveniently located near the Gaylord and the airport in Grapevine.

And, mark your calendars for another Epic NAMA Bombers National NAMA Ride in April. Planning remains under way for … some kind of ride … either to, from or around Atlanta, or possibly a combination depending on weather and general initiative.

Join us on March 12, as the Agriculture Council of America (ACA) hosts two major events in Washington, DC: the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon and the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner.

The events kick off National Agriculture Week and mark a nationwide effort to recognize the importance and contribution of agriculture every day in the lives of Americans. A number of producers, agricultural associations, corporations, students and government organizations involved in agriculture are expected to participate.

The annual Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon will be held at the Cannon House Office Building at 12:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but advance reservations are required. Approximately 50 student delegates from FFA, 4-H and AFA will be in attendance. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is the Invited Speaker. To sign up for the luncheon visit http://www.agday.org/lunchrsvp/index.php.

The National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner will follow at the USDA Whitten Building Patio at 5:30 p.m. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has been invited to speak. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at http://www.agday.org/dinner/index.php.

This is the 36th anniversary of National Ag Day (March 20, 2009), which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country and is part of National Ag Week (March 15-21, 2009).

If you are planning to host an Ag Day Event and would like some helpful ideas, visit the Ag Day web site at www.agday.org or if you would like to order Ag Day Materials, visit, http://payment.nama.org/agdayorder.htm or call the Agriculture Council of America at 913-491-1895 to order.

Join the Agriculture Council of America and NAMA in celebrating National Ag Week, March 15-21 and National Ag Day, March 20, 2009!

Charting Your Course in Uncharted Waters: Strategic Decision-Making in Uncertain Times

Volatile commodity markets, bank failures, government bailouts. These are only a few of the events that have caused turmoil and created a sense of uncertainty and anxiety about the future. Regardless of the storms that may be brewing around us, business leaders can’t simply postpone decisions until calmer seas prevail. Turbulent times create incredible opportunities. Navigating through these waters demands answers to questions like:

1. What are the fundamental drivers of change that are reshaping our business/industry?
2. What assumptions am I making about the future and what if I’m wrong?
3. What are the biggest uncertainties that could impact our business/industry?

If you have found yourself asking any of these questions, this session is for you! This pre-conference workshop is designed for anyone who has responsibility for developing internal business plans or helping clients anticipate, respond and react to the volatility and change impacting their business. Participants will gain insight into the key principles of scenario-planning and will be introduced to some tools that can be helpful in making both business and personal decisions.

Kevin Ochsner, Partner, Adayana Agri Business Group
Kevin’s speaking career began in college when he served as a National FFA Officer and traveled to more than 40 states representing the organization. Kevin spends more than 80 days each year making presentations and facilitating programs for many of North America’s largest agribusinesses.With a Master’s in Management from Purdue University, Kevin combines his high-energy, motivational speaking style with the marketing and management substance.

NOTE: Participants must be registered for the full Agri-Marketing Conference. Separate registration is required, but there is no additional registration fee. Registration is limited to the first 100 attendees who sign-up. Please sign-up at www.nama.org/amc/reserveworkshop.htm.

“If you cannot find it within yourself to become emotional, committed, engaged, and yes, fervent about differentiation, then you had better be prepared to take your place among that vast throng of the mediocre who are judged by their customers solely on the basis of price. It is the singularly worst place to be in all of business…”

Scott McKain makes it clear that today’s playing field is more competitive than ever. To connect—and maintain a relationship with—discerning customers, you must differentiate yourself and your business. In this session, he’ll share clear approaches for how to stand out in the market. You’ll learn how to deliver unique value to increasingly demanding and sophisticated customers.

Discover the specific steps you need to take right now to stand out from the crowd. Explore the origins of stifling sameness and gain strategies for rising above and beyond the status quo.

Scott is a highly successful business professional, author and commentator. He has proven that the concepts he presents actually work in the real world!

He is the Vice Chairman of Obsidian Enterprises, a company he helped found just a few years ago that now generates $100 million in annual revenue. Obsidian has been named as one of the “fastest growing companies” in the United States.

He is the co-founder of the Value Added Institute, a “think tank” exploring the role of customer experiences in creating enhanced client loyalty and revenue for visionary organizations. He is the author of two #1 business bestsellers: ALL Business is Show Business, and his most recent book, What Customers Really Want, which has just been released in paperback.

Scott has made several recent appearances on FOX News Network as an analyst and commentator. Scott has shared his business insight on platforms in all 50 states and 14 countries … from Singapore to Sweden; from Mexico to Morocco. His new book, The Collapse of Distinction, is due out in February, 2009.

See Scott at the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference in Atlanta,  visit www.nama.org/amc for more information on the conference. To register now, visit nama.org/amc/register.html.

This session is sponsored by American Business Media Agri Council

Scott McKain will also be hosting the Senior Management Workshop, What Customers Really Want, on Thursday, April 16 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Participants must be registered for the full Agri-Marketing Conference. Separate registration is required, but there is no additional registration fee. Registration is limited to the first 100 attendees who sign-up. Please sign-up at www.nama.org/amc/seniorworkshop.html.

Right now, there are dozens of companies producing the same services and products that you are – only better, faster, cheaper. The only way to maintain a competitive advantage is by thinking differently and generating innovative solutions. Andy Cohen can show you how.

Debunking long-held notions about customers and industry models, he shows us how to market more effectively by emotionally connecting with consumers, how to explore and develop ideas, and even how to reframe a market segment. Using sleight of hand and other illusions, he teaches us how to be more creative, explore our ability to innovate and leverage our strengths for a true competitive advantage.

Using case studies from major brands and corporations such as Coca-Cola, OnStar and ING, he will get your creative juices flowing. You’ll leave with action steps you can put to work immediately.

As a best-selling author and practitioner, Andy has developed keen insights into what drives high-performing companies and what distinguishes their approaches to customers, employees and leadership. A respected marketing guru, Andy has worked with some of the biggest names in business, including American Express, AOL, Charles Schwab, L’Oreal, Novartis, HSBC, Club Med, Merrill Lynch, P&G and Clorox. He has produced award-winning work, even picking up a coveted EFFIE award from the American Marketing Association for the highest excellence in combining creativity with results. Prior to his role as an innovation speaker, he founded Exposed Brick, an award-winning advertising agency that pioneers relationship marketing through electronic and digital media.

For more information on the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference in Atlanta, visit www.nama.org/amc. To register now, visit nama.org/amc/register.html.

This session is sponsored by Syngenta.

Want to know the difference between good and great?

Here’s your chance. Over the years, David Okerlund has been able to observe the leadership styles and habits of many Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller, more intimate organizations.

He has taken those observations and matched them up against three unquestionable persons of greatness in modern America: Warren Buffet, Thunderbirds’ Commander Ron Mumm and baseball’s great Ozzie Smith. And from their input, David has digested their vaulted secrets into four core values that are the linchpins of personal and organizational success. The “Margins of Greatness” is a special realm of performance that sets professionals apart in leadership, sales and service. Hear how to utilize these powerful tenets in your organization and make yourself an indispensable part of the team.

One part humor, one part raw intelligence, Okerlund entertains and informs. Finish your conference experience with an International Hall of Fame Speaker-live and in person!

An Acclaimed Thought Leader and Author
Among the most requested speakers for repeat appearances, Okerlund’s sessions are highly interactive. An award-winning orator, he has over 25 years of training experience in communications, persuasion and advocacy, employee enrichment and empowerment, sales training and creativity/innovation.

David has given over 2,500 speeches to over 1,000,000 people worldwide. He taught speech and debate at Oxford University in England. Okerlund is among the very few to successfully cross over from the academic podium to the professional platform. He is a poet, a newspaper columnist and author of four books to date, including the 7 Traits of Dynamic Leaders in Leadership Roles due out this year.

For more information on the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference in Atlanta, visit www.nama.org/amc. To register now, visit nama.org/amc/register.html.

This session is sponsored by Cattlemen’s Beef Board and Elanco Animal Health.

NAMA’s third webinar “Maximizing Your Trade Show R.O.I.” will take place this Thursday, February 5 at 1:00 p.m. (Central Time) and will last about 1 hour. Cost for the webinar is $35.

The webinar will be hosted by Scott Hanna of Skyline Displays. You will learn key skills, such as:

• Measuring Objectives
• Selecting the right shows and booth spaces
• Budgeting – doing more with less
• Designing an effective exhibit
• Promoting Your tradeshow exhibit
• Selecting and preparing the right staff
• and more!

This is an excellent opportunity to get people together for a chapter meeting at minimal cost.  You might be able to gather a number of your members together in a conference room and perhaps even offer refreshments.
To register for the webinar, visit http://payment.nama.org/webinar.htm.

Note: If you sign up for a Trade Show Booth at the 2009 Agri-Marketing Conference in Atlanta by February 4 you will receive a complimentary registration for the this webinar!