The NAMA Boot Camp will take place August 17-19, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.

Check out the program below and get registered today!

Tuesday, August 17

7:15 a.m. – MoKan Ag Tour (optional) Registration
8:00 a.m. – MoKan Ag Tour (optional)
The tour is an on-farm experience where attendees will tour as well as learn about different operations. The morning begins with a tour of an Ag Retailer, who is an aerial applicator, to check out the plane/equipment. There will be a short presentation from the pilot. The group will also visit a rural meat market where they will have lunch. Also, the group will  tour a 20,000 acre row crop facility as well as a livestock operation. The group will return to the Hyatt by 4:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. – Boot Camp Registration
5:00-6:00 p.m. – Welcome Reception
6:00-7:30 p.m. – Opening General Session – Dinner – Networking Activity
Dave Mehlhaff – Session Moderator
Kick off the Boot Camp with a networking activity designed to help you get to know fellow attendees.

Wednesday, August 18

8:00 a.m. – Continental Breakfast
8:30-10:00 a.m. – General Session
Producer Panel
Learn how to communicate effectively with producers. The producer panel has become a Boot Camp favorite and attendees won’t want to miss the valuable insights from producers. The panel will be moderated by Janelle Buxton, Sales Executive, Successful Farming and Agriculture Online. Three producers will be joining Janelle to share their insights.

10:00-10:30 a.m. – Break
10:30-11:30 a.m. – Breakout sessions (choose one)
Little Red Writing Hood ~ Beth Burgy, Broadhead + Co.
The client has asked you to write a communications plan. Don’t despair! Developing a communications plan with concrete objectives, strategies and tactics is a lot like planning a trip in the land of fractured fairy tales. You have to know where you’re going, how you’re going to get there and what to expect when you arrive. This session will provide some useful hints to give you the upper hand in the plan development process.

Marketing to the Animal Health Industry ~ Todd Firkins, Bayer Animal Health; Lonny Duckworth, cattle producer, Butler, MO
Do you market to the animal health industry? This session is a great way to get two perspectives on the best way to reach that market. Hear from the company side and from the producer side. You will walk away with great insights into the animal health arena.

12:00 Noon-1:30 p.m. – Luncheon w/ speaker
The Impact of Digital Media on Farmers and Ranchers ~ Jack Semler, Readex Research
ABM’s Agri Council and Readex Research have joined forces to conduct a major agricultural research study that explores the impact of digital media on farmers and ranchers. Its findings are based on the responses of more than 1,200 owners, operators, and/or managers of farms or ranches.

Jack Semler, president of Readex Research, will be presenting a summary of key findings from this important market research.

1:30-2:30 p.m. – Breakout sessions (choose one)
Marketing to the Row Crop Industry ~ Shane Rourke, John Deere; Ken McCauley, corn/soybean grower, White Cloud, KS
Do you market to the row crop industry? This session is a great way to get two perspectives on the best way to reach that market. Hear from the company side and from the producer side. You will walk away with great insights into the row crop industry.

Recalls, Oil Spills and the Media – Oh My! ~ Daren Williams, Natl. Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Every organization will eventually face the “moment of truth” when something goes wrong affecting your people, products or reputation. Public relations and marketing professionals play a critical role in managing communications during a crisis which can affect the outcome for better or worse. This session will offer practical tips for managing a crisis before, during and after the moment of truth based on the real-life experiences of an ag communicator who has helped manage product recalls, oil spills and the media onslaught that accompanies a crisis. Daren Williams is executive director of communications at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and former senior vice president of Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., where he specialized in crisis communications for clients in the food, agriculture and health care industries.

2:30-3:00 p.m. – Break
3:00-4:00 p.m. – General Session
Marketing to Key Influencers
All boot camp attendees will be together for this last session of the day to hear from an Ag Retailer and a Large Animal Vet. Learn their perspective on the business.

4:30-6:30 p.m. – Reception at Boulevard Brewery
A shuttle will take attendees to a special reception at Kansas City’s own Boulevard Brewery. Founded in 1989, Boulevard Brewing Company has grown to become the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest. The reception will take place in the beautiful Heim Room that features a unique view of the Kansas City skyline.

7:00 p.m. – Dine Around (optional)
Attendees can attend an optional dine-around. This is a great way to get to know your peers and learn about NAMA. This event is optional and dutch treat.

Thursday, August 19

8:30 a.m. – Breakfast
9:00-10:00 a.m. – General Session
Career Builder Session ~ Erika Osmundson, AgCareers.com
Learn how to do the best possible job for your employer and enhance your career.

10:00-10:15 a.m. – Break
10:15-11:30 a.m. – Closing Session
Advocating for Ag Panel ~ Moderator: Melanie Acklin, SFP; Daren Williams, NCBA; Mindy Hempler, Syngenta Crop Protection; Charlie Arnot, CMA Consulting
There is a distance between most Americans and the farms that producer their food. It is a gap being filled more and more by detractors that have farmers and big agribusiness the enemy. Producers, their suppliers and the ag industry are trying to raise awareness of the truth about American agriculture. Join these panel members as we examine what we can all do to advocate for our industry.

Please note: The hotel cut-off date is July 23 and the Hyatt is projected to be sold out on August 16 and August 17. Please make your hotel reservations today by calling the Hyatt Regency Crown Center at 816-421-1234. Make sure you mention “NAMA” to receive the special rate. Reservations made after July 23 are subject to higher rates and potential unavailability.

For more information on the NAMA Boot Camp, visit http://www.nama.org/programs/index.html.

To register for the NAMA Boot Camp and/or the MoKan Ag Tour, please visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=22.