Communicating with Impact: Maximizing Influence with Gail Calhoun, President, Calhoun Consulting

Gail Calhoun, President of Calhoun Consulting is a speech expert who helps speakers become more comfortable and compelling. Calhoun shares tips with agri-marketers at NAMA Trends about how to become effective presenters.

Managing Up and Sideways: How to Make Things Happen When You’re Not in Charge with Shelia Campbell, President, Wild Blue Yonder, Inc.

Skillfully managing your own relationships with supervisors, department heads, CEOs and co-workers is key to success in a work environment and career. Shelia Campbell, president of Wild Blue Yonder, Inc., gave NAMA Trends attendees specific actions they can take to inform, motivate, inspire and direct other people, even without formal authority over them.

Through The Lens of a Leader with Aidan Connolly, Vice President Corporate Accounts, Alltech Inc.

Agriculture is a global business with a world of opportunities. That’s the message Aidan Connolly, Alltech Inc.’s Vice President Corporate Accounts delivered as the final featured keynote at NAMA Trends. His work for Alltech in countries throughout the world has given him perspective on trends in agriculture and the growing global emphasis on food as a universal story that all cultures are interested in and talking about. Listen as Connolly shares his insights and advice for agri-marketers.

It’s a Jungle In There: Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring with Steven Schussler, Founder, Rainforest Cafe

People told Steven Schussler that building a rainforest in his home was crazy. That was before he opened his first Rainforest Cafe and now Schussler has 45 restaurant locations on three continents. As a branding expert, entrepreneur and creator of Rainforest Cafe, Schussler provides inspiration and motivation for agri-marketers at NAMA Trends to be creative innovators.

Bringing Your Clients’ Brand Forward with Ed Bennett, Design Director, Colle+McVoy

How do you successfully transform a brand? Bringing a brand forward through a re-branding effort is the insight shared by Ed Bennett, Design Director with Colle+McVoy at NAMA Trends. Bennett described the inside story and strategies surrounding Caribou Coffee’s brand relaunch. He points to the importance of understanding the soul and history of a company and brand for a successful relaunch in the following video recap of Bennett’s presentation.

The NAMA 2012 Fall Conference was a big success with nearly 200  in attendance.  The new NAMA Fall Conference focused on celebrating leadership and recognizing those who are the leaders in the agri-marketing industry.

Attendees who made it to Minneapolis  early for the North Central Ag Tour had the chance to visit CHS Savage Terminal, Peavey Grain Elevator and Flat Earth Brewing.

The founder of the Rainforest Cafe, Steven Schussler, Schussler Creative, opened the  Fall Conference as keynote speaker.  “It’s a Jungle in There: Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring,” was the topic of his presentation. Steven is also the author of the bestselling book, “It’s a Jungle in There.”

Afternoon breakout sessions on the first day of Fall Conference targeted agri-marketers ready to move up the career ladder  and acquire game-changing professional development skills.

The day ended with a networking reception at SEVEN.   Attendees enjoyed complimentary appetizers and cocktails courtesy of  Broadhead.

Day two began with a session on “How to Make Things Happen When You’re Not in Charge” with Sheila Campbell, President, Wild Blue Yonder, Inc. Campbell urged the audience to foster relationships that make people want to help us.

Morning breakout sessions on day two included a discussion on crisis management, communicating with impact and moving up the ladder.  The audience gained insightful tips on how to fine-tune their leadership skills.

NAMA honored the  2012 Professional Development Awards of Excellence sponsored by Farm Progress Companies. These awards honor NAMA members with hands-on responsibility in marketing and communications, public relations, product/species management and sales.  Congratulations to Troy Schroeder – Broadhead, Justin Funk – Agri Studies Inc., Kevin Bien – AGCO and John Rozum – World Dairy Expo.

Wrapping up the conference was Aidan Connolly, Vice President Corporate Accounts, Alltech Inc.  Breakfast in China, afternoon presentation in Minneapolis at the NAMA Fall Conference. That was on Connolly’s schedule for the day.  Agribusiness is a worldwide business now and that means dealing with different languages and cultures. Aidan says “agriculture has never been so key to the world” and “food is a conversation that everyone wants to have.” He says that future leaders in agriculture need to be ready to travel, understand what’s going on in China, Brazil and India, have a sense of curiosity and a willingness to use new technology.

This meeting also marked the passing of the gavel from 2012 NAMA President Beth Burgy, Broadhead, to incoming president Paul Redhage, FMC Agricultural Products.

Congratulations to our incoming and existing officers!

President Elect – Kenna Rathai,  Kenna B. Rathai Communications
Secretary/Treasurer – Marvin Kokes, National Cattlemen’s Beef Assn.
Vice Presidents – Sally Behringer, MustangRED Communications
Matt Coniglio, Farm Progress Companies
Amy Bradford, GROWMARK, Inc.
Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm New Media
Amy Bugg, AdFarm
Sheri Seger, DTN/The Progressive Farmer

See additional  coverage and photos from the Fall Conference in Minneapolis on AgWired http://agwired.com/