Entry Deadline is October 11.

NAMA members are encouraged to enter their company’s communications materials produced for first use in 2013.  Entries are open to any ag-related products.

For complete details visit http://www.nama.org/amc/bon/index.htm.

Regional awards ceremonies take place in January.  National Best of NAMA winners will be recognized during the 2014 Agri-Marketing Conference in Jacksonville, Fla.  Please make plans to join NAMA as we congratulate the best of the best from across the country.

Best of NAMA Calendar

October 11
Best of NAMA Entry Deadline

November 12-13
Regional Best of NAMA Judging – Kansas City, MO

January
Region II Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony
Region III Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony
Region IV Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony
Southeastern Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony
Carolinas/Virginia Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony
Midsouth Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony

February
Region I Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony

February 12
National Best of NAMA Judging – Kansas City, MO

April 9
National Best of NAMA Ceremony – Jacksonville, FL

The 2013 Fall Conference was a big success with nearly 200 attendees in St. Louis at the Ritz-Carlton.

The Gateway Ag Tour kicked off the conference with a visit to the Monsanto Chesterfield Village facility and Chandler Hill Vineyards.

Keynote speaker Dr. Benjamin Akande opened the Fall Conference with a discussion on “Leading From Where You Are.”  He shared thought-provoking ideas and suggestions on how to be an effective, results focused leader within your organization.

Afternoon breakout sessions on the first day of  Fall Conference targeted agri-marketers ready to move up the career ladder and included in-depth topics such as mobile digital strategy, dealing with data storage in the Cloud and an Addy-winning case study.

The day ended with a networking reception at the new offices of  Brighton Agency.  Attendees enjoyed appetizers and cocktails courtesy of Brighton.

Former NFL head coach Brian Billick was the morning keynote speaker on day two.  Billick,  Super Bowl winning coach for the Baltimore Ravens and now an analyst for Fox Sports, talked to us about the essential elements for success that make up any dream team – on the football field or in the workplace. Listen to snippets from his talk – Billick1 or Billick 2.

Morning breakout sessions included topics on climate change and agriculture, baseline agriculture outlook and a panel discussion on the need for a new farm bill.

At the closing lunch, NAMA presented the 2013 Professional  Awards of Excellence.  These awards honor NAMA members with hands-on responsibility in marketing  and communications, public relations, product/species management and sales.  Congratulations to Gary Sakin – Monsanto, Linda Romander – broadhead., Zach Hetterick – Case IH, and Jay Carlson – Penton/Farm Progress.  Listen to the audio presentation of the PDA awards.

A perfect closing to the Fall Conference was  Tom Wilson, Monsanto US Marketing Lead, Deeds, Traits and Chemistry.  Tom provided a view of what ag is facing today and what lies ahead.

This meeting also marked the passing of the gavel from 2013 NAMA President Paul Redhage, FMC Agricultural Products, to incoming president Kenna Rathai, Kenna B. Rathai Communications.  Listen to Passing of the Gavel remarks.

An ABEF fundraiser was added to the conference this year to raise funds and create awareness about ABEF and how the foundation funds and supports student opportunities. This effort raised over $1000 that will go towards  scholarships, internships, student competitions and more to agri-marketing students across the country.  Attendees could purchase squares that referenced “ABEF” trivia  for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Starbucks or Best Buy.

A special congratulations to our incoming  executive committee members!  Scott McClure – Brighton Agency and Amber Harrison – United Suppliers, Inc.

View photos from the Gateway Ag Tour and the Fall Conference on Flickr or Agwired.com

Long time student NAMA advisor Dr. John B. Riley passed away on September 16.  Many of you may recall that in 2011, the Outstanding Student Advisor Award was renamed the Dr. John B. Riley Outstanding Student Advisor Award in recognition of the then 25 years that Dr. Riley had devoted to his students and their marketing competition teams.

Dr. Riley coached NAMA marketing teams at both K-State and the University of Tennessee.  In addition, he won the NAMA Outstanding Advisor Award while at both universities.  His advising efforts were recognized with several college and university awards.

More information on Dr. Riley can be found at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/knoxnews/obituary.aspx?n=john-blair-riley&pid=167033100&#fbLoggedOut

Visit  http://www.nama.org/student/archives.htm  for the most recent publication of  NAMA on Campus Student Newsletter.

Five Reasons We Loved the Sporting KC Tour

The MoKan NAMA Chapter was excited to tour the Sporting Kansas City Stadium, Wednesday, September 25, and we definitely learned a thing or two!

1.  Sporting KC is 100 percent locally-owned. The owners decided they wanted their suite to be in the corner because corner seats are often the hardest to sell. There is one silver seat in the owner’s suite that is designated for a different child each game (chosen through the Victory Project) that is either battling cancer or has beaten cancer.

Read about the owners here: http://www.sportingkc.com/club/ownership .

Learn more about the Victory Project here: http://www.victorykc.org/

2.  Sporting KC players are the only soccer team that participates in Shakeology. Player’s blood is drawn at the beginning of the year and shakes are created with vitamins and nutrients specific to their needs. They drink the custom shakes before, during and after games.

3.  The players and coaches sit in custom-designed chairs during the game, which cost $2,000 apiece. They are designed by the same company that designs the seats used in Ferraris!

4.  Sporting KC sold more merchandise than the LA Galaxy when David Beckham was on their roster.

5.  The three practice fields at Swope Park offer three different types of turf and grass, so that the players are prepared when they are on the road. The field they practice on depends on their upcoming game schedule.

North Central NAMA members gathered Wednesday, September 4, for a boat cruise on Lake Minnetonka, MN.  The event kicked off with a cocktail reception where members networked and caught up with fellow professionals.

Ed Usset,  Grain Marketing Specialist who teaches a Commodity Marketing class at the University of MN, facilitated a discussion on the current state of the industry comparing it to the last “Golden Age of Agriculture” 10 years prior to WWII.  Mr. Usset detailed the concept of parity pricing – the purchasing power of a particular commodity relative to a farmer’s expenses.  With the recent commodity prices and production levels at historical levels, Mr. Usset believes we are experiencing another golden era.  The challenge will be in how marketers prepare for when the good times come to an end.  The cost of production versus the price/bushel will inevitably change and marketers need to be ready for how they will deal with that.  Members then had an opportunity to ask questions and Mr. Usset detailed various international trends that influence the industry including China’s increasing demand for meat, South America’s increasing role in soy exports and GMO issues.

Afterwards, members enjoyed appetizers, cocktails and a cruise of the shores of Lake Minnetonka.