Whether you’ve just entered the rough working world or one who’s been through the NAMA Boot Camp drill before, sign up for this program today to learn more about the agri-marketing industry. Join the National Agri-Marketing Association for the 6th annual NAMA Boot Camp, August 18-20, 2009 in Kansas City.

All attendees will receive a notebook packed with ag terminology, facts, case studies and speaker presentations. This notebook has become one of the most popular aspects of the boot camp experience.

Tuesday, August 18

7:15 a.m. - Registration

8:00 a.m. - MoKan Ag Tour (optional)
The MoKan ag tour will feature a trip to seed production facility NECO Seeds in Garden City, MO with a lunch stop at The Farm, a family owned and operated facility associated with NECO Seeds. The afternoon will feature a trip to Kurzweil Farm for a tour of a cattle and hog operation. Attendees will tour the hog confinement and also visit the meat store and learn how they process and market their own meat. The tour is an on-farm experience so please dress appropriately and wear comfortable, stable shoes.

5:00 p.m. - Boot Camp Registration

5:00-6:00 p.m. - Welcome Reception

6:00-7:30 p.m. - Opening General Session - Dinner

The Physical Connection ~ Dr. Jennifer Martin
Are you aware of non-verbal messages you might be sending while giving a presentation? Do you send mixed signals to your audience without knowing it? Dr. Jennifer K. Martin, Hall Family Foundation Professor with the University of Missouri-Kansas City, will present techniques you can apply to easily improve your professional effectiveness.

Wednesday, August 19

8:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast

8:30-10:00 a.m. - General Session

Producer Panel ~ Moderator: Marty Wolske, Successful Farming/Agriculture Online; Trudy Kramer, Kramer Vineyards in Gaston Oregon; Derek Fuemmeler, Harrisonville, Missouri
Learn how to communicate effectively with producers. The producer panel has become a Boot Camp favorite and attendees won’t want to miss the valuable insights from producers. This panel will be moderated by Marty Wolske, Sales Associate, Successful Farming/Agriculture Online. Producers: Trudy Kramer, Kramer Vineyards, Gaston, Oregon; Derek Fuemmeler, Harrisonville, Missouri, and other producer panelists.

10:00-10:30 a.m. - Break

10:30-11:30 a.m. - Breakout sessions (choose one)

Little Red Writing Hood ~ Carol Anderson, Mariposa Partners, Inc.
The client has asked you to write a communications plan. Don’t despair! Developing a communications plan with concrete objectives, strategies and tactics is a lot like planning a trip in the land of fractured fairy tales. You have to know where you’re going, how you’re going to get there and what to expect when you arrive. This session, conducted by Carol Anderson, Mariposa Partners and NAMA national president, will provide some useful hints and hands-on activities to give you the upper hand in the plan development process.

A Year in the Life of a Specialty Producer ~ Trudy Kramer, Kramer Vineyards
Spend a year in the life of a specialty producer. This session will explore the challenges and business decisions that a specialty producer faces in a year. Trudy Kramer, Kramer Vineyards, Gaston, Oregon. Kramer Vineyards has 20 acres of vines with an average production of 2000 cases/year. About 85% is sold at the winery. Kramer Vineyards relies on marketing at the winery for most of their sales.

12:00 Noon-1:30 p.m. - Luncheon w/ speaker

Social Marketing and Southwest Airlines ~ Christi Day, Southwest Airlines Online Spokesperson & Emerging Media Specialist
Relax over lunch and learn about the integration of new and emerging media at Southwest Airlines, including video blogging and Twitter, from Christi Day, Southwest Airlines Online Spokesperson and Emerging Media Specialist. She specializes in Emerging Media and Web 2.0. Christi consistently works to keep Southwest Airlines in the forefront of the new media world when it comes to messaging and trends.

1:30-2:30 p.m. - Breakout sessions (choose one)

A Year in the Life of a Cow/Calf Producer
Step into a producer’s boots without having to head to the farm. From risk management to calving, this session will cover the events a producer endures throughout the year.

Pitching to the Ag Media ~ Colleen Church McDowall, Osborn & Barr Communications
Come learn the do's and don'ts of pitching to the ag media. Plus pick up tips on how to keep your content relevant over a period of time and take a quick glance at how social media is going to impact the way you get your story out.

2:30-3:00 p.m. - Break

3:00-4:00 p.m. - Breakout Sessions

A Year in the Life of a Row Crop Producer
Step into a producer’s boots without having to head to the farm. From field preparation to harvest, this session will cover the events a producer endures throughout the year. Presented by Derek Fuemmeler, CCA Yield Max Crop and Consulting Services, LLC. Derek has been farming with his family near Glasgow, MO since he was old enough to walk, and operating his Consulting Services in Harrisonville, MO for the past four years. Prior to starting his own business, Derek worked as an Agronomist for Miles Enterprises/OptiCrop in Kentucky, and a brief stint as a Regional Sales Agronomist for MFA/West Central Agri Services.

Dealing With The Client ~ Kristen Marshall, Nicholson Kovac
Are you concerned about making a good impression on your clients and keeping a good name for your agency? Kristen Marshall, senior account executive, Nicholson Kovac, will go through her experiences in account services and provide helpful tips on staying in good graces, even with those ‘problem clients.’ Kristen is a Senior Account Executive at Nicholson Kovac in Kansas City. She has worked in the agency environment for multiple ag industry clients for the past 8 years. Kristen is the co-chair of the National Student NAMA Competition and is a graduate of the University of Missouri and University of Nebraska.

4:30-6:30 p.m. - Reception at Boulevard Brewery
A shuttle will take attendees to a special reception at Kansas City’s own Boulevard Brewery. Founded in 1989, Boulevard Brewing Company has grown to become the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest. The reception will take place in the beautiful Heim Room that features a unique view of the Kansas City skyline.

7:00 p.m. - Dine Around (optional)
Attendees can attend an optional dine-around at Milanos in Crown Center. This is a great way to get to know your peers and learn about NAMA. This event is optional and dutch treat (note: you may also charge your dinner at Milanos to your hotel room.)

Thursday, August 20

8:30 a.m. - Breakfast

9:00-10:00 a.m. - General Session

Retailer Panel ~ Moderated by Michael Berry, Osborn & Barr Communications & Boot Camp Chair
Agricultural retailers are an important part of our businesses, whether they are an influencer in a B to C market or a direct customer in a B to B market they are extremely valuable. Get an inside look at what makes these segments of the ag retail segment tick. This panel will be moderated by Michael Berry, Osborn & Barr Communications and 2009 Boot Camp Chair. Featured panelists include Art Westhues, St Joseph Agri Services, Inc., and Steve Payne, Crop Production Services (CPS).

10:00-10:15 - Break

10:15-11:30 a.m. - Closing Session

Jedi Marketing or Everything I Needed to Know About Advertising I Learned from Star Wars ~ John January, Sullivan Higdon & Sink and Tug McTighe, Callahan Creek
How can Yoda help you write a better headline? Why is Darth Vader hiding in your client service report? Learn the answers to these questions and many more when you attend this unusual and enlightening presentation. Whether you’re a writer, designer, an account type or even a client, you’ll find this perspective on enjoying daily life in marketing very refreshing. Presented by John January, Executive Creative Director and Senior Vice Muckity Muck at Sullivan Higdon & Sink and Tug McTighe, Vice President, Creative Director and Pisces, Callahan Creek.