Boot Campers came to Kansas City from across the country for an intense two-day course in all things agri-marketing. Even the late summer rainstorm during the ag tour couldn’t dampen the spirits of this lively bunch.

In addition to the great networking throughout the event and the useful resources they received, attendees also learned invaluable new information during keynote sessions and breakouts.

Quick Boot Camp Takeaways

♦ When it comes to communicating with producers and growers keep it short, sweet and to the point

♦ Producers and growers appreciate communications with synopses of articles and information

♦ Radio is still key — younger and older ag audiences listen with the same frequency

♦ Effective crisis communications strategists know how to segment their audiences and talk to different groups with the key messages just for them

Attendees also learned about different communication styles and how to identify them. Row crops, livestock and sustainability were breakout session topics to choose among over the two days of Boot Camp.

Well-known copywriter and creative Tug McTighe of Callahan Creek shared “The Creative Department’s Dirty Little Secrets.” Chief among them: Everyone is creative. Everyone has a story. You have to grab them quickly.

An ending session on content marketing rounded out Boot Camp 2015. The main takeaway being that good marketers position their clients as subject matter experts. According to Laura Sweeney McCarthy, Account Director at Global Prairie, “People know they’re being marketed to. As long as information is valuable, relevant and interesting, they don’t mind …”

And of course NAMA made sure everyone had the chance to relax over drinks and appetizers during a beautiful afternoon on the deck of Boulevard Brewing Company.

Don’t miss what NAMA has in store for next year! Stay up to speed on the next Boot Camp and all NAMA special events at nama.org.