Sessions on creative in ag, new media and global marketing attract new faces …

A blend of tried-and-true favorites and valuable new additions to the program proved to be a recipe for success at the 2008 NAMA Boot Camp. Over 100 agri-marketing professionals took advantage of the chance to hear from a producer panel, network with industry leaders and stay ahead of new trends and media shaping the market.

Marketing veterans new to agri-marketing and graduates just entering the industry both found value in networking with colleagues at Boot Camp and listening in on breakout sessions.

“I’m new to agri-marketing, and I feel a lot smarter about it now than I did a week ago,” shared Byron West, Vice President / Associate Creative Director at Mullen, Winston-Salem, N.C. “It’s amazing what you can learn by rubbing elbows with people who get it.”

This year’s Boot Camp featured sessions on creative in agriculture, new media and the ever popular producer panel. The program is updated every year with about 80 percent new content.

“It makes sense for managers to send their team members to Boot Camp more than once because there’s always something new,” said Jenny Pickett, Executive Vice President/CEO. “Our goal is to ensure there’s something for everyone from account executives to art directors and everyone in between.”

The camp kicked off with the MoKan Ag Tour and an evening opening session on speed networking. A day and a half of breakout sessions, panel discussions and ample opportunities to network with colleagues and associates followed. Participants were impressed with the 2008 line up.

Doug Stouffer of Bernstein-Rein said, “Attending the NAMA Boot Camp was one of the best decisions I’ve made to help move my career forward. I met several new people in the business and learned new things about the advertising and marketing world in the numerous sessions. For example, the communications plan session really helped provide clarity on objectives and strategies. But overall, attending the Boot Camp helped renew my passion for the ag industry again.”

To learn more about other NAMA programs being offered in the future, please visit www.nama.org or call Jenny Pickett at (913) 491-6500.

Stay tuned to the NAMA web site for information on the podcasts of some of the NAMA Boot Camp sessions. Special thanks to Truffle Media Networks for the podcasts.