NAMA chapters have been busy planning for the 2008-2009 program year. Take a look at the many upcoming chapter meetings and events. We hope you’ll be able to attend!

Iowa NAMA ~ September 30
Creating & Extending a Brand Relationship Through Event Marketing
This meeting is being hosted by Channel Bio Corp., parent company of Crow’s Hybrids, Midwest Seed Genetics & NC+ Hybrids. Instead of using advertising & traditional communications tactics, Channel uses BioFuture to reach farmers, prospective employees & influencers. The event shows customers the Channel difference by explaining how new technologies, new markets & world events are reshaping the way corn & soybean products are developed, tested, produced & sold. The Channel marketing & communications team will lead a discussion on the philosophy & tactics behind this event marketing strategy.

The meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a Circle of Science tour & discussion followed by a social and dinner at 5:00 p.m. There is no charge to attend this meeting. To RSVP Contact Klaire O’Rourke at [email protected] or 515-597-5010 or sign up on our evite page at http://www.evite.com.

Badger NAMA ~ October 2
Reception at the World Dairy Expo
Make plans to join fellow agri-marketers and NAMA members from around the country at the NAMA World Dairy Expo Reception, hosted by Badger NAMA. The reception will take place on Thursday, October 2nd from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Exhibitors’ Lounge at Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI.

Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine and soda, as well as Kentucky Ale courtesy of Alltech.

Chicago/Heartland Join Chapter Meeting ~ October 14
An afternoon with the ISU-NAMA Students
You are invited for an afternoon with the ISU-NAMA Students on Tuesday, October 14, 2008. The event will begin at 12:00 p.m. with lunch at the ISU Farm (I-55-Lexington Exit 178); followed by an ISU Farm Tour at 12:30 p.m.; a tour of Twin Groves Wind Farm (Largest Wind Farm East of the Mississippi) at 2:00 p.m.; and concludes with an ISU-NAMA business meeting and pizza dinner at 5:00 p.m.

Please RSVP by October 10th to [email protected].

MoKan NAMA ~ October 14
From Pistols to Press Releases: Communication Lessons from the Real World
Join the Mo-Kan NAMA Chapter as they learn a little about the dark side – terrorism, corporate fraud, and organized crime. On Tuesday, October 14, former FBI Special Agent Jeff Lanza chronicles failures of leadership, crisis communications, and digital theft. An FBI spokesperson trained in media relations, Mr. Lanza presents anecdotes from a career fighting crime that will entertain, and a message on integrity that will inspire.

Join us at Starker’s Reserve Restaurant on the Plaza, 201 W. 47th Street (Corner of 47th & Wyandotte), Kansas City, MO 64112. Meal cost is $15 for members, $25 for non-members. Please RSVP to Amy Bugg at [email protected] or call 816.584.8444.

Eastern NAMA ~ October 16
Lunch & Learn
Mark your calendars for the NY NAMA Chapter’s first Lunch and Learn, Thursday, October 16th from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Please share a best practice, case study or research from the past year with your fellow NAMA members. We will hope to allow a 5-10 minute presentation from each interested member for their topic, with time for a brief Q&A. Special thanks to Pfizer Animal Health for providing the lunch and meeting space! The event will take place at the Pfizer World Headquarters, 235 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017.

Please RSVP by October 3rd to Sarah at [email protected] or 866-252-4577. Please let me know if you plan to attend and if you have a topic to share so we can prepare an agenda. You don’t have to have a topic to attend. Cost for the meeting is $10.00 which supports NY NAMA chapter’s scholarship fund and future events. A dial-in number will be available for outer-lying members as well; please contact Sarah for the dial-in information.

Ohio NAMA ~ October 16
Cargill Ethanol Plant Tour
Join Ohio NAMA on Thursday, October 16, for a tour of the Cargill Ethanol Plant in Bloomingburg, OH. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a lunch/meeting followed by the tour at 1:00 p.m. More details on the way!

MidSouth NAMA ~ October 23
What is Next For Our Bioeconomy?
It is nearly impossible to turn on the nightly news without hearing a story on the energy crisis. Throw in a major election and a stronger-than-ever green movement, and bio-energy remains at the forefront of discussion on a national and global scale. Pete Nelson, co-founder of BioDimensions, a Memphis-based consulting group that focuses on agriculture, will be discussing their work with the non-profit Memphis Bioworks Foundation. The luncheon will feature a ‘Fall Festival’ buffet featuring turkey and dressing with all the fixins! Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Cost for the event is $25.00/person, cash or check at the door or we can invoice you!

Please RSVP to http://survey.archermalmo.com/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=l8K1n59.

Attention chapters: Please send any upcoming meeting notices or post-event articles and photos to Kathi Conrad at the NAMA Office at [email protected].