Purdue University was the NAMA student marketing competition winning team. Their product was Edgewood Pig Pad. Advisors were Dr. Christine Wilson and Dr. Jay Akridge.

Jim Jones, Ayres Kahler, and Jon Peterson, Swanson Russell Associates were a couple of the proud owners of a custom “I’ve been blogged” t-shirt complements of AgriMarketing Pros.

The student competition finals are still taking place and to make it easier to watch a “simulcast” of the presentations was set up in the convention center lobby.

Getting your email is essential these days. Thanks to Farm Journal Media we have the internet cafe. These computers got a workout during the convention.

The Best of NAMA, Best of Show winners are first published in Agri Marketing, which is also distributed at the convention. You can also see the complete results of the awards in the April issue.

That’s what you’d find out at the opening general session at the NAMA convention. The keynote speaker is Oren Hararii, author of a number of books including, “The Leadership Secrets of Colin Powell.” Oren is still speaking and I hope to interview him when he’s done. I’m sure his presentation is being recorded by NAMA and can be accessed after the convention.

Sarah Vacek, Monsanto, chaired this year’s Agri-Marketing Conference committee which included Lauri Christen, Colle+McVoy, Vice Chair and other NAMA members in a variety of business types.

Our national NAMA president this year has been Tom Taylor, High Plains Journal. Tom gave his report to the convention at the opening general session which is currently still underway.

At last night’s awards ceremony NAMA announced that Rick Turner, president, Gustafson, LLC, will receive this award.