Opening General Session
Thursday, April 16 ~ 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.

The Collapse of Distinction
Scott McKain makes it clear that today’s playing field is more competitive than ever. To connect—and maintain a relationship with—discerning customers, you must differentiate yourself and your business. In this session, he’ll share clear approaches for how to stand out in the market. You’ll learn how to deliver unique value to increasingly demanding and sophisticated customers.

Discover the specific steps you need to take right now to stand out from the crowd. Explore the origins of stifling sameness and gain strategies for rising above and beyond the status quo.

Scott is a highly successful business professional, author and commentator. He has proven that the concepts he presents actually work in the real world!

He is the Vice Chairman of Obsidian Enterprises, a company he helped found just a few years ago that now generates $100 million in annual revenue. Obsidian has been named as one of the “fastest growing companies” in the United States.

He is the co-founder of the Value Added Institute, a “think tank” exploring the role of customer experiences in creating enhanced client loyalty and revenue for visionary organizations. He is the author of two #1 business bestsellers: ALL Business is Show Business, and his most recent book, What Customers Really Want, which has just been released in paperback.

This session is sponsored by American Business Media Agri Council.

Second General Session
Thursday, April 16 ~ 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Innovation in Marketing: Challenge Assumptions
Right now, there are dozens of companies producing the same services and products that you are – only better, faster, cheaper. The only way to maintain a competitive advantage is by thinking differently and generating innovative solutions. Andy Cohen can show you how.

Debunking long-held notions about customers and industry models, he shows us how to market more effectively by emotionally connecting with consumers, how to explore and develop ideas, and even how to reframe a market segment. Using sleight of hand and other illusions, he teaches us how to be more creative, explore our ability to innovate and leverage our strengths for a true competitive advantage.

Using case studies from major brands and corporations such as Coca-Cola, OnStar and ING, he will get your creative juices flowing. You’ll leave with action steps you can put to work immediately.

As a best-selling author and practitioner, Andy has developed keen insights into what drives high-performing companies and what distinguishes their approaches to customers, employees and leadership. A respected marketing guru, Andy has worked with some of the biggest names in business, including American Express, AOL, Charles Schwab, L’Oreal, Novartis, HSBC, Club Med, Merrill Lynch, P&G and Clorox. He has produced award-winning work, even picking up a coveted EFFIE award from the American Marketing Association for the highest excellence in combining creativity with results. Prior to his role as an innovation speaker, he founded Exposed Brick, an award-winning advertising agency that pioneers relationship marketing through electronic and digital media.

This session is sponsored by Syngenta.

Closing General Session
Friday, April 17 ~ 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon

Managing the Margins of Greatness
Want to know the difference between good and great?

Here’s your chance. Over the years, David Okerlund has been able to observe the leadership styles and habits of many Fortune 500 companies as well as smaller, more intimate organizations.

He has taken those observations and matched them up against three unquestionable persons of greatness in modern America: Warren Buffet, Thunderbirds’ Commander Ron Mumm and baseball’s great Ozzie Smith. And from their input, David has digested their vaulted secrets into four core values that are the linchpins of personal and organizational success. The “Margins of Greatness” is a special realm of performance that sets professionals apart in leadership, sales and service. Hear how to utilize these powerful tenets in your organization and make yourself an indispensable part of the team.

One part humor, one part raw intelligence, Okerlund entertains and informs. Finish your conference experience with an International Hall of Fame Speaker-live and in person!

An Acclaimed Thought Leader and Author
Among the most requested speakers for repeat appearances, Okerlund’s sessions are highly interactive. An award-winning orator, he has over 25 years of training experience in communications, persuasion and advocacy, employee enrichment and empowerment, sales training and creativity/innovation.

David has given over 2,500 speeches to over 1,000,000 people worldwide. He taught speech and debate at Oxford University in England. Okerlund is among the very few to successfully cross over from the academic podium to the professional platform. He is a poet, a newspaper columnist and author of four books to date, including the 7 Traits of Dynamic Leaders in Leadership Roles due out this year.

This session is sponsored by Cattlemen’s Beef Board and Elanco Animal Health.

To register for the Agri-Marketing Conference, visit http://nama.org/amc/2009amc/Default.aspx.