WHAT'S IN STORE FOR YOU AT THE AGRIBUSINESS FORUM?
Agribusiness Forum ~ Nov. 8-9, Kansas City
Why should you come to this year's Agribusiness Forum? Because, not only will you gain an insightful look at Customer-Focused Marketing through well-balanced sessions, but you will also have ample opportunities to network with your peers at events like the ABEF Putt Putt Golf Tournament which takes place during the Welcome Reception, sponsored by Colle+McVoy on Tuesday, November 8 beginning at 5:00 p.m.
During the reception and Golf Tournament, you will be among the first to view the first and merit winning entries from the Regional Best of NAMA Judging - even before the winners themselves are notified! The Best of NAMA awards program honors the best work in agricultural communications.
Network with your peers over dinner at the Professional Development Awards of Excellence banquet, sponsored by Bayer CropScience, which follows the reception on Tuesday evening. The banquet will honor four NAMA members' achievements in each of the Professional Development Areas (Sales, Public Relations, Marketing Communications and Product/Species Management).
The Continental Breakfast sponsored by High Plains Journal and Hoard's Dairyman on Wednesday, November 9, will give you ample time to network once again. You'll have time to network again at the luncheon on Wednesday, sponsored by The Corn & Soybean Digest/Farm Industry News.
Below is a brief schedule of this year's Forum.
Tuesday from 3-9:30 p.m.
Pre-Forum Session (1:30-2:30 p.m.)
What Do Readers Want? ABM Agri-Council Reader Survey
This pre-forum session will present the latest findings from the survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Business Media Agri Council on how producers use different ag media.
Michelle Salomon, Harris Interactive

Gene Brown |

Charlie Arnot |

Wendell Knehans |

Mark Pearson |

Rod Schroeder |

Jeff Stroburg |
The New Game in Town-Challenges in the Era of Customer-Focused Marketing
The Agribusiness Forum will kick off with a report on new research conducted for NAMA on how NAMA members view their customers. The panel will provide insightful perspectives on customers, and the challenges they face daily in addressing customer needs.
Research Presentation: Gene Brown, UMKC
Panel Discussion: Charlie Arnot, CMA Consulting (moderator)
Wendell Knehans, Monsanto
Don Borgman, John Deere
Sponsored by Cattlemen's Beef Promotion & Research Board
I'm Your Customer...Listen To Me! Revelations from a Farmer
Hear it straight from the horse’s mouth...a horse with humor. As host of “Market-to-Market” on public television and the daily farm show, “The Big Show,” Mark Pearson brings to life his years of experience as a farmer, small businessman, stockbroker and government official.
Mark Pearson, host of "Market-to-Market"
Arrangements by Ag Speakers Network
Sponsored by DTN & John Deere
Wednesday 8 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Ag Distribution - Role, Influences, Challenges
Research shows that ag dealers and distributors provide an important product information service built on personal relationships. The research suggests that producers, especially younger farmers, will increase their reliance on the Internet for product information. A panel of experts will explore this evolving role, their influence in marketing and the emerging challenges in ag distribution.
Panel: Kevin Ochsner, Agri Business Group (moderator)
Steve Koep, Case IH
Rod Schroeder, Agriliance
Jeff Stroburg, West Central Cooperative
Ding! Putting "IT" in the Customer Loyalty Equation
During this session, Jill Howard-Allen from Southwest Airlines will explore how the company has integrated electronic communications into its marketing strategy to build customer loyalty, service and profits.
Jill Howard-Allen, Southwest Airlines
John Phipps |
Hit, Miss, Home Run! Communications and the Purchase Decision
John Phipps will present new research on how people make decisions, coupled with his hands- on farming experience, to explore the decision- making process from a producer’s perspective.
John Phipps, host & managing editor of "U.S. Farm Report"
Sponsored by Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications &
Farm Journal Media
John Block |

Ellen Kreimendahl |
Vincent
Amanor-Boadu |
Consumer Food Trends - The Next Big "Thing"
Understanding what the next big “thing” is in consumer purchasing may give you the early advantage in the ag marketplace. John Block, with the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), will review research conducted by FMI on consumer patterns and trends. He will also moderate a panel of food industry experts who will relate these trends.
Presentation & Panel: John Block, FMI (Moderator)
Ellen Kreimendahl, Balls Foods
Charlie Bradbury, Nolan Ryan Tender Aged Beef
Sponsored by Elanco Animal Health
Mad Cow, Oil and Fickle Customers: How Strange Events Shape Agriculture's Future
The Forum’s concluding session will explore broad strategies to help companies and individuals minimize the adverse affects of trends while seizing the opportunities.
Dr. Vincent Amanor-Boadu, Ag Innovation Center, Kansas State Univ.
Arrangements by Ag Speakers Network
Don't have time to come to the entire Agribusiness Forum? No problem, you still have the option of attending just the Welcome Reception or the Welcome Reception and Awards Banquet and session day rates are also available. Call the NAMA office for details at 913-491-6500.
To Register on-line now for the Agribusiness Forum, visit, https://nama.org/forum/register.htm.
To view the entire program visit, http://www.nama.org/forum. [return to top]
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