The 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference was one of the most well attended since 2000 according to Jenny Pickett. She says the official number is 1,206 registered.

Jenny says she heard numerous comments about how upbeat people have been at the conference. She also wants to remind people to get the NAMA App on their smartphone. One of the key features is the directory of NAMA members.

Get a full review: Interview with Jenny Pickett

2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

It’s not a bad thing to have some white space on your calendar. In fact, Juliet Funt, thinks you should actually schedule some. She was our closing speaker at the Agri-Marketing Conference with a session titled, “Overcommitted, Overwhelmed and Over It! Success Skills for the Blisteringly Busy.” Juliet is the daughter of Allen Funt, Candid Camera, and is an entertaining speaker.

Juliet helps people slow down and prioritize. One of the main things she wants people to think about is keeping more white space on their calendar. She’s writing a book on this. Listen to some more suggestions she has: Interview with Juliet Funt

2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

What’s the best party at the Agri-Marketing Conference? The Brownfield Party! I know, I’m biased. I was the host for a number of years once upon a time and Brownfield Ag News is my sponsor this week here at the event.

Well, last night we had a big time at PBR Big Sky. There are a lot of photos in the photo album and I think you’ll enjoy them. This is the Brownfield team. They worked hard last night but that was just helping make sure everyone was having fun. We had a great band and there was some bull riding too.

Here’s what people were saying about why they go to the Brownfield Party: Why I Go To Brownfield Party

2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

Elanco President Jeff Simmons wants people in agriculture to speak up and make it personal when it comes to safe, abundant, affordable food.

The NAMA Agribusiness Leader of the Year says it all boils down to those four words. “I do think that we need to get our of our bubbles, get off of our farms and speak up because we are center stage right now,” he said. “It is our time and it’s a hot issue.”

Jeff told the opening general session of the National Agri-Marketing Conference that Elanco has just unveiled a website focusing on food production, world hunger and sustainability called “Plenty To Think About”. The site includes a white paper that focuses on three rights – food, a human right; choice, a consumer right; and sustainability, environmentally right.

Listen to or download an enlightening conversation with Jeff here:
Jeff Simmons Interview

2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

The first educational session at this year’s Agri-Marketing Conference focused on “Becoming and 800-pound Gorilla: How To Dominate Your Market.” Our presenter was Bill Guertin, Chief Enthusiasm Officer, The 800-Pound Gorilla. Well I guess he should know how to do it then!

I talked with Bill before his presentation. He says that the 800-pound gorilla is “the dominate player in any marketplace whose tactics and techniques result in an unfair share of the available business.” So he was here to help us discover how to achieve this. He uses an anecdote from the sports industry to make a point of how you can do this. Listen in: Bill Guertin Interview

2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

It takes a lot of volunteers work to put on an Agri-Marketing Conference and a student marketing competition. Nancy Barcus, Agriculture Future of America, Director of Leader Development Programs is one. She’s the hall monitor during the early round of student presentations. She has to keep the hallway clear during presentations to prevent distractions. This is important stuff here!

Nancy is a new member of the NAMA Careers Committee. I spoke with Nancy about her job: Nancy Barcus Interview

2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album