FERTILE GROUND. FORWARD THINKING. 
Join NAMA and your agri-marketing colleagues in Clayton, MO, October 9-11. At the Fall Conference, informative educational sessions will leave you with valuable tips, and you’ll enjoy unbeatable networking opportunities to build lasting connections.

Between dynamic keynoters, thought -provoking breakouts and a fun ag tour, you’ll gain new insights and be challenged to think differently. Don’t miss out! This year’s Conference will help you end the year on top and ring in 2024 with a plan for success.
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Sponsorship Opportunities Available
There are great sponsorship opportunities available for Fall Conference! Click here for a list. For more information contact Jenny Pickett at (913) 491-6500 or email [email protected].

Keynoters

DAVID AVRIN
Ridiculously Easy To Do Business With! 
​Future-Proofing Your Business to Serve a New Generation

​It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who Knows You! 
How To Attract the Best Customers and Create an Army of Raving Fans
SAM RICHTER
Every YES Begins With a KNOW
The Secret to Building Strong Relationships

Embrace It: AI, ChatGPT and Your Future
Transform Your Business, Your Communications, Your Job and Your Life

Schedule & Sessions​

Monday, October 9
Ag Tour 
Hosted by Farm Progress
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The Ag Tour is an optional add-on to Fall Conference. The bus will depart from the hotel at 8:30 a.m. and will return by 4:00 p.m. The cost is $175 and includes transportation, breakfast and lunch.
Riegel Dairy & South Point Hemp  
Missouri dairy farmer Brian Riegel operates a nearly 700-milk cow operation. In 2020, the Riegels updated their farm to include a double parallel 24 milking parlor with and rapid exit system. “We used to chase cows in,” he says, “now we let them come in on their own.” He will take visitors on a tour of the entire family-owned dairy operation and share how technology keeps them sustainable in today’s dairy industry. That same year, the family diversified to include another enterprise—South Point Hemp—which raises hemp for industrial and cannabinoid wellness products. The tour will visit hemp fields at Riegel Farms and hear about their production process and how it fits into the family’s farming operation. 

Crooked Creek Beef
Bill and Linda McLaren are the owners and farmers at Crooked Creek Beef. The family-owned farm focuses on raising beef and selling direct to consumers. To keep consistent quality they rely on technology. A unique aspect of the cattle operation is they graze in the Shaw Nature Preserve. The couple also built a successful event venue on the farm—Haue Valley. The family hosts not only weddings, but tours of their property as a way to boost agritourism in the state.

Earth Angel Mushrooms
​Earth Angel raises mushrooms for the St. Louis area. Tour participants will get a look at this unique operation.
Leadership Meetings
2:30–3:30 p.m.
NAMA Foundation Board Meeting

​4:30-5:00 
NAMA Board of Director's Meeting

Conference Kickoff 
5–6:30 p.m.
Networking Reception
Sponsored by Bader Rutter
Are you new to NAMA or is this your first NAMA event? Join us to get to know other industry members.
​Tuesday, October 10
7:45–8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
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 8:30–10 a.m.
General Session: Ridiculously Easy to Do Business With! Future-Proofing Your Business to Serve a New Generation
David Avrin

How, when and where we buy has changed dramatically in recent years. Today, decisions are often determined by those who can deliver faster and are easy to do business with. In a revealing, thought-provoking and very entertaining session, customer experience expert David Avrin, CSP, will shine a light on the profound shift in customer expectations. You’ll learn to help your team eliminate friction in the buying process, respond to prospects and create customer experiences worth sharing.
 
As one of the most in-demand customer experience and marketing speakers and consultants, Avrin enlightens and entertains audiences around the world. In addition, he’s published five books and been featured on media outlets worldwide, with the goal to help organizations better understand and connect with their changing customers to future-proof their businesses.
 
Professional Development Awards Presentation
Sponsored by Farm Progress

10–10:15 a.m.
Break
Sponsored by Lean Media

10:15–11:15 a.m.
Breakout Sessions (Choose one)
Sponsored by Goodway Group
Doing Well by Doing Good: The Embrace of Corporate Social Responsibility in Agriculture
A Panel Discussion
Moderator: Deron Johnson, Curious Plot
Dwana Neal, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
Heidi Spahn, Corteva Agriscience
Brian Torrey, John Deere

More agricultural organizations are committing to initiatives that lift up rural America and the broader ag community. Driven by the belief that it’s not enough just to sell “stuff,” these organizations are investing in efforts that benefit their stakeholders and the places they call home. But in a time when sales and ROI are seemingly everything, some are left wondering why companies would take on these complex, and often, costly, initiatives. This panel will share perspectives from leading companies that are navigating the corporate social responsibility (CSR) waters. You’ll learn:

  • Why CSR is getting more attention in agriculture
  • The reasons to pursue a CSR strategy — and the reasons why not
  • Marketing and/or broader business considerations that drive CSR decisions and investments among organizations
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It's Not Who You Know but Who Knows You
David Avrin

Never have consumers had so many choices. Not just who to buy from, but how, where and when. Being great at what you do is no longer a differentiator—it is merely the entrance fee. Today, winning in business is about creating and leveraging competitive advantages. In this engaging breakout session, Avrin will show you how to set your business apart to gain visibility and attract customers who will sing your praises.


11:15–11:30 a.m.
Break
Sponsored by National Cotton Council
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11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions (Choose one)
Sponsored by Goodway Group
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It's Not About an Advertising Campaign, It's About the Core Value of the Brand
Jerry Gennaria, TOKY

It's easy to get focused on the regular cadence of marketing campaigns and lose focus on what matters most — your brand. Transactional advertising drives sales in the short-term. Brand advertising creates value for the long-term. In this session we'll explore how successful brands create campaigns that do both by understanding the core value of their brand and making it the foundation of every campaign.

Jerry Gennaria is President and CEO of TOKY, a branding and strategic communications firm providing strategy, messaging, visual identity, and customer experience architecture for clients in the U.S. and around the world. He brings nearly 30 years of experience in traditional and digital communications and a pragmatic approach to marketing and brand strategy. A passionate presenter and storyteller, he enjoys making the complex simple and thrives on teaching and mentoring.
Influencer Marketing: How to Approach and Activate
Moderator: Trista Thompson, Wyffels Hybrids
Lacey Fielder, Signal Theory
​Ashley Harper, Precision Planting
Mary Pat Sass, Influencer

A lot of companies today are wondering how—or if—they should incorporate influencer marketing into their brand campaign. When does it make sense … and when doesn’t it? From how to contact an influencer to shifting budgets and FTC requirements, this session will demystify the arrangement to help you decide how and when to execute an effective influencer marketing campaign. Panelists will cover:
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  • What to consider about a prospective influencer and how to contact them
  • Understanding why influencers choose to work with specific brands
  • Where an influencer campaign can fit into your overall marketing plan
  • How to scale an influencer campaign in the ag space v. the consumer space  ​
​12:30–1:30 p.m.
Networking Lunch
Sponsored by NAFB
1:30–2:45 p.m.
Trends, Technologies and the Agency World
A panel of agency c-suite professionals
Moderator: Melanie Rice, Brownfield
Ben Bocklage, HLK
Josh Chavis, Paradowski
Tina VonderHaar, Brighton
A panel of agency representatives will talk about the trends and technologies shaping marketing communications today.
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2:45 - 3:00 p.m.
Ice Cream Break 
Sponsored by Hoard's Dairyman
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
What Clients are Facing Now
A panel of marketing communications professionals
Moderator: Scott McClure, Brighton 
​Tim Birkel, Wyffels Hybrids
Richard LaBonte, Benson Hill
​Brian Reuwee, Rabo AgriFinance

Marcomm executives address the industry's top issues such as:
  • justifying marketing spend
  • doing more with less
  • showing results
  • changing media trends and more

4:30-6:30 p.m.
​Off-Site Reception at Brighton
Wednesday, October 11
7:45–8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
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8:30–9:30 a.m.
General Session: Every YES Begins With a Know – The Secret to Building Strong Relationships
Sam Richter​

Whether an existing client, new customer or even a supplier, people do business with those they like and trust. So, just consider how strong your relationships could be if you understood others better. What relevant insights could you share? How much more value could you add? People are amazingly passionate about themselves and what they care about. Sam Richter will explain how to leverage that to build stronger relationships.
 
As a distinguished Hall of Fame speaker renowned for his digital information expertise, Richter has trained and entertained people around the world, delivering one-of-a-kind presentations with real take-home value. He is also a Top Sales Coach, best-selling author and a creator of numerous AI-powered technologies, designed to help businesses thrive in the future.

9:30–9:45 a.m.
Break
Sponsored by National Ag Day
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9:45–10:45 a.m.
Embrace It: AI, ChatGPT and Your Future
Sam Richter

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are nothing new. But with the introduction of ChatGPT and other language model programs, for the first time, everyone has equal access to tools that will reshape not just business, but our everyday reality. In this breakout session, Richter will help you learn how to embrace AI to transform your business, your communications, your job—and your life.
10:45–11 a.m.
Break
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11 a.m.–Noon
General Session – Through the Lens of a Leader 
Leo Bastos, Head of Carbon Business Model, Bayer
Sponsored by HLK
End your Fall Conference experience with a view of the major challenges facing our industry and a forecast for what lies ahead.

Registration

Don’t miss this chance to be in the center of it all October 9–11 in Clayton, MO. Register before September 22 and save!

​Member: $575               
Non-Member: $755
Ag Tour: $175

Cancellation Policy
No refunds for cancellation after September 26.  

All Fall Conference sessions take place at the Ritz Carlton

The Ritz Carlton St. Louis
100 Carondelet Plaza
Clayton, MO
The Ritz Carlton is located just 10 minutes from Lambert Int'l Airport in the business district of Clayton. This trendy neighborhood features unique restaurants, art galleries, boutiques and entertainment.

Sponsors

In addition to our Sustaining Partners, the following are sponsors of Fall Conference.

Ag Speakers Network
Boelte Hall
CHS
​Colle McVoy
Goodway Group
HLK​
Hoard's Dairyman
JL Farmakis
Lean Media
ModOp
National Ag Day
National Cotton Council

Committee Members

Chair
Trista Thompson, Wyffels Hybrids

Vice Chair
Laura Rustmann, J. L. Farmakis, Inc.

Committee Members
Jane Agareva, Syngenta
Kasie Garcia, Bayer
David Lazarenko, Think Shift
Regen Lux, Dawson Tire and Wheel
Rich Tiller, Ag Speakers Network
Breck Von Bank, Agriculture of America  & American Ag Network
Eric Welsh, Farm Journal

Executive Committee Liaisons
Jayma Appleby, VMLY&R
Brian Torrey, John Deere
National Agri-Marketing Association
8700 State Line Rd., Suite 105
Leawood, KS  66206
Phone: (913) 491-6500
​Email: [email protected]

Connect

Students Connect
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