Reaching New Heights, April 11-13 in Denver
The 2001 Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show, an event that opens the door to many nationwide contacts, is just around the corner. This article will give you an idea of what to expect and things to do when you are in Denver.

The Marketing Competition
Tuesday, April 10 is the day practice rooms will be set aside for student team members. Students may sign up in advance for a time slot by calling Penny Ramsey at (913) 491-6500. Each school may reserve only a single half hour time slot. Time slots are available from 1 to 5 p.m.

The competition begins with preliminary and semi-final heats on Wednesday, April 11. The finals will take place on Thursday, April 12. Critique sessions for preliminary and semi-final heats will be Wednesday from 3 to 4 p.m. Finalist critiques will be held on Thursday, April 12 from 6 to 7 p.m. Please plan to attend these sessions, as the judges are there to help you and take the time to discuss your presentation.

For schools participating in the Marketing Competition, don’t forget 10 copies of your Executive Summary are due, postmarked by March 9, 2001 to: Melissa Sanders, McCormick Advertising, 10920 Ambassador Dr., Ste. 302, Kansas City, MO 64153. NOTE: Chapters that have not met accreditation requirements will NOT BE ELIGIBLE to compete. March 1 was the second deadline. Due at that time were the second portion of your dues ($150) and your Annual Report.

Eighth Annual Career Fair
The Career Fair will be held Thursday, April 12 from Noon to 2:30 p.m. This is a chance meet company representatives in charge of recruiting. If you plan to attend the Career Fair, dress professionally and have a copy of your resume to give to the company representatives.

Companies signed up to exhibit as of March 1 include: Agribusiness MBA Program - the University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Archer Daniels Midland; Career Connection - Fort Hays State University; Cargill, Inc.; Colle & McVoy; Golden Harvest; Kansas State University Master of Agribusiness; Miller Meester Advertising; Mississippi State University Agribusiness Institute; PIC USA.

Student Awards
Numerous Awards will be presented at the Student Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 12 from 5 to 6 p.m. Those awards include the Outstanding Student Chapter, Outstanding Developing Chapter (for a chapter that has been accredited fewer than three years), Outstanding Student Advisor and Outstanding Developing Chapter Advisor. Two new awards will debut this year as well. The Outstanding Professional award and the Outstanding Professional Chapter honors will be given during the awards program. In addition, the Marketing Competition winning teams and scholarship winners will be announced at that time.

Student Party
Once again, a student party will be held on Thursday, April 12 from 8 to 11 p.m. This allows students to meet and mingle with students from others schools.

Student President’s Meeting
From 8 to 9 a.m. on Friday, April 13 there will be a meeting for all student chapter presidents to discuss issues from the past year and provide feedback to the Careers Committee. This is a chance for the presidents to give suggestions for the upcoming year.

Student Orientation
A student orientation is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This is a chance for students to learn what activities are planned and what events will take place over the following three days. All students should attend.

Hotel Information
The 2001 Agri-Marketing Conference and Trade Show will be held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Denver. The hotel reservation deadline is Friday, March 16, 2001.

Adam’s Mark Hotel
1550 Court Place
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-893-3333
Fax: 303-626-2542

Room Rates:
$135 Single/Double
$155 Triple

It's More Than a Marketing Competition
The 2001 Agri-Marketing Conference is right around the corner. Your five-pager is turned in, practice sessions are heating up and you are trying to figure out what obscure question some judge is going to ask your team. You get to Denver, survive the marketing competition and then what?

With all the time and energy you spend on the marketing competition, it can be easy to forget that there are many more activities to participate in. How do you make the most of your trip to the Conference? Here are a few helpful hints to get you started.

• Bring your resume – you might find a job (or at least get an interview).
• Mix and mingle with the professionals, collecting business cards for future use (they were once students, too).
• Get inspired by the keynote speakers (i.e., – go to the General Session)
• View award-winning work (hey, we all want to be art directors).
• Play pop-a-shot at the trade show (it’s fun, so why not?).
• Meet and make friends with other students (we all end up working with each other at some point, you might as well meet now).
• Learn about media, web-based marketing, public relations and sales (attend the break-out sessions).
• Gain confidence in your presentation skills (who knows, one of the judges may be a future client).
• Earn money for your chapter through the ABEF raffle (pay for next year’s trip to Nashville).
• Win awards for your chapter activities (that yearbook pays off).
• Treat your advisor to dinner (it’s the nice thing to do).

Remember – there are lots of professionals who were in your shoes. Ask questions, find out what interests you and what doesn’t. If you think you want to go into the agency side of the business, go pick the brain of an agency person. (Hint: Many of them are on the careers committee.) If the sales or corporate communication side sounds intriguing, talk to their clients.

11-13 Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show, Adams Mark, Denver, Colo.