The Armadillo Whisperer

Chuck Zimmerman

Bob BrunkerI’m really not sure if Bob Brunker, J. L. Farmakis, is praying or just what but you’re welcome to speculate in the comments. He couldn’t afford to pay me enough not to post this.

We had armadillo races in the NAMA Connection Point and Bob was a racer. He lost by the way if I remember right. The think I didn’t fully understand was the part about blowing on the armadillo’s tail. You’ll have to ask Bob about that if you really want to know.

Here’s a video clip of a different race if you want the full effect:

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA, Video

Barry Nelson Talks about NAMA Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Barry NelsonThe NAMA convention chairman is Barry Nelson, John Deere. I got to interview him during a break in the action while we were both in the Connection Point.

Here you can see him announcing drawing winners at one point last night.

Barry says that about 1,100 were here and that’s better than last year in Kansas City I think. I know trade show traffic was much better this year and I’m a happy exhibitor. Thank you to everyone who stopped by.

Barry says that he had a great team who helped him with the planning for this year’s NAMA convention. He didn’t seem to want to be “chairperson for life” though.

You can listen to my interview with Barry here:

nama-convention-07-nelson.mp3

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

Audio, NAMA

Kathi Showed us the Money

Chuck Zimmerman

Kathi With The MoneySeriously, you’ve got to like an organization that gives you cash. That’s what Kathi Conrad, NAMA staff, was doing before the first general session yesterday. It all made sense when conference chairperson, Barry Nelson, talked about positive thoughts and getting a dollar for each one and how many we’d have in our pocket at the end of the event. Actually, did I hear him say at one point, ” . . . a dollar full of pockets.”? Hmm.

Anyway, I’m at the airport waiting on a flight so I have no idea how many posts I’ll get done. Whatever doesn’t get done today will get done tomorrow now won’t it? Don’t forget that I’ve also been posting onto the NAMA Blog so you can find posts there too.

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA

Guess Who’s Ring This Is

Chuck Zimmerman

The RingI learned that someone at the NAMA Convention is engaged to be married.

So to add some fun to your Friday afternoon I’m going to let you guess who. The first person to post the correct name of who’s hand this is will get a pair of ZimmComm retractable ear buds.

Just use the comment feature at the bottom of the post. We do have it back in place and working.

Post Update: Dave Anderson, Alpha Scouts, is the first person to comment correctly that the hand and the ring belong to Sally Behringer, Nicholson Kovac. He’ll receive his prize via mail this coming week.

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA

Paige Gilligan Wins iPhone

Chuck Zimmerman

iPhone WinnerHere’s the winner of the ZimmComm New Media/Truffle Media Networks iPhone drawing. She’s Paige Gilligan, Agrestic Solutions & Innovations. Pictured with her are me to the left and Aaron Gilbertie, Truffle on the right.

The latest buzz is that the iPhones will become available starting in June so we’ll ship Paige her iPhone just as soon as they’re available. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and entered our drawing or enjoyed a Godiva chocolate truffle.

The NAMA Connection Point just closed up and I’ll have more pictures and announcements coming. It’s reception time once again so I thought I’d just get this quick post up before heading out. I’ve got the photo album updated though (over 265 in there so far).

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA

The Golden ZimmComm Microphone

Chuck Zimmerman

Tom SluneckaWhat a day it has been here at the NAMA convention. I’ll have lots of posts over the next couple days so don’t go away.

One of the things I’ve been able to do some more of today is interviews like this one here with Tom Slunecka, Executive Director of EPIC.

Golden ZimmComm MicrophoneMy interview with Tom will actually be used for an upcoming episode of the EPIC podcast, “Fill Up Feel Good.”

I’ve received a lot of attention today since I’m using the Golden ZimmComm Microphone. I brought it in honor of the 50 year anniversary of the National Agri-Marketing Association.

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA

A Golden Toga for the Marketer of the Year

Chuck Zimmerman

Phil Johnson ToastThe NAMA Marketer of the Year is Phil Johnson, Colle+McVoy, who was golden toga man last night at the Togafication Party held in his honor. He’s seen being toasted here sometime last in the evening.

Besides the toast we also got to see a very cool video about Phil which I am hoping to get a copy to or encourage someone to post to YouTube and send me the link to it.

I promise I’ll post it.

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

Agencies, NAMA

Southeast AgNet Making Connections

Chuck Zimmerman

Gary CooperGary Cooper, Southeast AgNet is one of the many exhibitors here at the NAMA Connection Point. He’s also a new advertiser on AgWired as I hope you’ve noticed. Let Gary know you saw his ad would you?

The list of companies and organizations that either use display advertising or sponsor my event coverage continues to grow and I appreciate it. It’s what makes the development of AgWired possible. Most of you probably also know that we produce some of the programming for Gary’s radio network too.

How about offering your support for a creative campaign here on AgWired for your company?

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA

The Best of NAMA Masters of Ceremony

Chuck Zimmerman

Orion SamuelsonYou’ve probably never seen these guys before so if you don’t know who they are I’ll tell you. This is Orion Samuelson, WGN Radio/RFD-TV and below is Max Armstrong, WGN Radio.

They were the masters of ceremonies at the Best of NAMA Awards.

Since the program had to move along faster this year it’s a good thing to have broadcasters handle these duties I think and they did a great job.

I guess if you’re going to Think Big you need to have some big names on stage.

Max ArmstrongAt the start of the show they even had a live on-screen interview with President Bush from the White House (actually an actor). Orion asked him questions and he had all the answers. It was hilarious.

I really like the way the Best of NAMA was handled this year and as an exhibitor in the NAMA Connection Point (trade show) I was happy that it was completed earlier than normal so people could come relax for and visit for a while before going to supper.

Today we’ve got 3 sessions in the trade show so there’ll be a lot more opportunities to meet with some of the over 900 attendees at this year’s conference.

Visit the 2007 NAMA Convention Photo Album.

NAMA