Register today for the 2011 Trends in Agriculture, November 8-9 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City. The early registration deadline is October 24, so sign up today and save! Register online now or check out the Trends schedule below.

Interested in sponsoring a session or event at Trends in Agriculture? Contact Jenny Pickett at [email protected] or call 913-491-6500.

Tuesday, November 8

2:00 – 3:30 p.m. – Welcome & Keynote Session: Focus Pocus-24 Tricks for Retaining Command for Your Day – Paul Burton

Focus Pocus delivers a host of best practices for getting more done—the heart of accomplishment and its cousin success. The more you accomplish, the more successful you feel. After attending Paul’s presentation, you’ll walk away with a list of new ways to be more productive and more successful. He’ll show you how to:

1. Make a direct connection between productivity and its relationship to success.
2. Receive two-dozen suggestions for increasing productivity and command over work and life.
3. Become motivated to achieve greater career and personal success.

Sponsored by John Deere

3:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Break – sponsored by National Cotton Council

4:00 – 5:30 p.m. – Trends In Energy/Alternative Fuels – Nathan Schock, POET & Matt Roberts, PhD., Dept. of Ag Economics, The Ohio State University

What are the main influences escalating the demand for ethanol and other plant-based energy? This session examines the trends in the alternative fuel market and the initiatives needed to drive the production to meet the demand. You’ll also discover the messages and opportunities on which ag communicators and marketers need to focus.

5:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Welcome Reception

Mingle with friends and enjoy some great networking. Trends goes “off site” for this reception. You can look forward to a fantastic food in a relaxing atmosphere.

Wednesday, November 9

8:00 a.m. – Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 10:00 a.m. – Productivity In The Field – Panel Discussion

Moderator: Max Armstrong, Farm Progress
Panel: Theran Null, Gage’s Fertilizer & Grain
Terry Jones, Iowa Producer
Debbie Lyons Blythe, cattle rancher

The urgent need for increased productivity in agriculture will affect the ways our target audiences communicate, make purchasing decisions and get information. What are the trends that will speed the invention of new technologies and other avenues for communicating with growers and the channel? A panel of producers and growers will share their thoughts on what they use now, and what they’ll need to stay ahead of the curve.

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Break

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon – Meeting the Growing Demand for Exports for Trade – Panel Discussion

Moderator: Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse
Panel: Tom Dorr, U.S. Grains Council
Dan Basse, AgResources
Bailey Ragan, Bunge Grain, Biofuels and Fertilizer

Much of American agriculture is dependent on international trade. What does this mean for the future of the ag industry in our country? Our panel will discuss the technologies, policies and other productivity enhancements needed to meet the growing export demand. Come prepared with questions and discussion topics.

12:00 Noon – 1:30 p.m. – Professional Development Awards of Excellence Luncheon

Each year, NAMA honors members with hands-on responsibility in marketing communications, public relations, product/species management and sales. Awards will be given in each of these areas and the recipients will share their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities in agri-marketing.

PDA Awards Sponsored by Farm Progress Companies
PDA Luncheon sponsored by Agriculture Council of America

1:30 – 3:00 p.m. – Shared session with NAFB – Productivity to Feed a Growing Population – Jeff Simmons, Elanco

Solutions exist today to help meet food needs, but consumers don’t want technology used in food production. Right?

Jeff Simmons, President, Elanco, will explore this modern myth that consumers don’t want modern, efficient technology used in food production. To better understand consumer opinions, Elanco commissioned a research review of 27 studies accounting for more than 97,000 consumers in 26 countries to further analyze this trend. The results may surprise you.

Learn more about consumer perceptions of technology and the role technology and choice play in feeding a growing population. Join the dialogue today at www.plentytothinkabout.org.

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Meet & Greet Reception with Speakers

To register for Trends in Agriculture, visit http://www.nama.org/ConferenceRegistration/Default.aspx?confid=36.