Inspiring Sessions Jolt Agri-Marketers to Take Their Careers to the Next Level

Agri-marketers from across the country supercharged their networks while gaining new insights at the 2018 Agri-Marketing Conference.

Many attendees arrived a day early to sample award-winning Kansas City fare with the first ever MoKan Taste of KC tour. The savory experience began with a behind-the-scenes look at the Roasterie factory, where coffee from around the world is cupped, roasted and blended. Hungry agri-marketers were treated to a farm-to-table meal at Rye on the Plaza, and later explored prohibition-era Kansas City with a tour of a historic speakeasy, Tom’s Town.

The Best of NAMA awards recognized award-winning, forward-thinking campaigns from the past year. This annual awards event never fails to get the conference off to a spirited start, as it celebrates agricultural communications from top agencies and companies.

NAMA presented the Best of NAMA awards to standout leaders who have spurred agricultural innovation throughout their careers. Calvin Ernst, Ernst Conservation Seeds, was named the 2018 Agribusiness Leader of the Year. Ed Peck, Filament, was awarded the distinction of NAMA Marketer of the Year, and Kendal Frazier, Nat’l Cattlemen’s Beef Assn., was recognized as the inaugural Ag Association Leader of the Year.

Keynote presenter Carey Lohrenz, the first F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot to serve in the U.S. Navy, delivered an inspiring presentation on business leadership, and shared her unique perspective on achieving success in fast-changing environments. Joe Calloway, award-winning business author and consultant, continued with case studies and insights into what separates successful companies from the pack.

The spark of inspiration was apparent throughout the afternoon, which included breakout sessions with business leaders and creative minds from the agency world.

Breakouts also included special sessions that allowed attendees to converse with and explore concepts introduced by keynote presenters earlier in the day.

Attendees enjoyed the empowering message and abounding opportunities to learn from presenters and one another. Key themes from the breakout sessions included attracting new business, increasing customer engagement and navigating the complex world of agriculture technology.

“The 2018 Agri-Marketing Conference was an enriching and fun experience,” said Janella Umali, Swine Marketing Coordinator, Alltech. “Some of the messages I’ll bring back with me to the office are: focus on what matters, simplify the complicated and take risks.
Bold, fearless action drives success.”

Attendees finished off the first full day of conference programming with a closing reception at the Connection Point, and later on, enjoyed networking and laughs with fellow agri-marketers at the After the After Party.

The power-packed event closed with a moving presentation from Steve Ford, son of President Gerald Ford. The “first son” shared personal and historical highlights from his father’s presidency, his acting career and other wisdom that closed out the conference on a high note.

Check out some great photos from NAMA’s week in Kansas City on the NAMA Flickr page!