Here’s what happens to the staff of NCBA and CBB by the end of the convention. This is in memory of Christian Hawley, just one of the convention casualties.
I think she needs a Red Bull.
Final Day Meetings In Progress
One of the final meetings here at the Cattle Industry Convention is the NCBA Board of Directors and CBB Meeting. Both organizations sit at the head table and report on their activities. It fosters a very open dialogue with everyone who’s attending.
It’s also where the gavel is passed from outgoing CBB Chairman Al Svajgr to incoming Chairman Jay O’Brien. Hopefully I’ll have a picture of that to share later, along with one of the new NCBA President Mike John. That ceremony takes place after I leave later today.
Supper With The Larsons
I attended the Cattlemen’s Beef Board banquet last night at which they honor the people who are going off the board and the outgoing chairman. I am seriously glad I decided to go because I got to sit next to two of the people that I’ve missed since leaving Florida about 15 years ago. Pictured with me are Grace and Woody Larson. Woody is a dairy and beef producer from Okeechobee, FL. They, like all these people here, are just the salt of the earth and I couldn’t have been more fortunate than to have been able to sit with them at the dinner and get caught up.
I hope the opportunity comes up again much sooner. Oh, and, How ’bout them Gators?
Listen To The New (Almost) NCBA President
He’s being double-teamed here by Randy Koenen and Greg Akagi. He’s also the incoming President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. He’s Mike John and all of us in Missouri are proud of him. I won’t be able to attend his acceptance speech tomorrow afternoon so I interviewed him myself.
Mike talks about what his priorities will be and the new long range plan for the beef industry. You can listen to my interview with Mike here: 
Mike John Interview (5:56 min. MP3 File)
NAFB Group Poses For Picture
The farm broadcasting members of NAFB posed for a picture after the media reception.
It’s quite a group.
I’ve been finding it interesting to see the range of technology being used by all the reporters here. The newsroom was set up with a lot of computers plugged into ethernet cables for internet access. They didn’t get used as much as personal notebooks though since I’ll bet that at least 75 percent of the reporters brought their own. I think organizational media rooms need to start supplying more open tables with just power outlets and high speed internet cables so we can set up our own. Wireless really needs to become a standard feature too. I heard people asking over and over for wireless. We had none in the room though since it needs to be scheduled in advance.
I am seeing a lot more digital recorders in action too and reporters using audio editing software. I’ve been offering some training and assistance when time allows. There’s still some good old audio cassette recorders in service. Not many though.
Stop By For Prime Rib
One way to get people into your booth is to cook them some prime rib.
At BPI Technology’s booth they were cooking steaks and prime rib. Very good steaks and prime ribs.
Top that off with the Alltech Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale across the aisle and you’ve got a high traffic area.
Human Statue Stops Traffic
This is a human statue and he’s pretty good. I don’t think I’d want to be painted like that. The only reason I knew he was “real” was seeing him change positions, which he does every once in a while.
This dude is in the SolidTech Animal Health booth. I give them some high marks for creativity. The competition is fierce when you’ve got a couple hundred other exhibitors on hand.
He was definitely a traffic stopper.
I wonder what his day rate is.
Watch a Committee In Action
If you’ve never attended or participated in one of the committee meetings going on here then you might want to check this out. It’s just real people trying to work through some very complex issues.
I visited the Joint Advertising Committee meeting this afternoon and took a short video clip you can watch. I used this on the Beef Board Meeting Blog too since the idea was actually a board member’s who wanted producers to see what’s going on in these rooms. I have to applaud my client (Cattlemen’s Beef Board) for their open, honest attempt at transparency. They get this blogging thing and are doing it right.
You can watch the video here: 
Joint Advertising Commitee Video (2:44 WMV File)
Innovative Beef Restaurant In Iowa
Regular readers know I’m a pretty big food fan and especially of beef. After seeing the Beef Backer Award winners presented with their awards this morning I’m looking forward to my next trip to Iowa so I can stop in at Trostel’s Greenbriar in Johnston.
The Beef Checkoff conducts this annual restaurant awards program. The winners received their awards and recognition here onstage at the Friday general session.
I interviewed “Innovator of the Year” winners, chef, Troy Trostel, and General Manager, Suzanne Summy.
You can listen to my interview with Troy & Suzanne here: Trostel’s Interview (3:26 min. MP3 File)
AgriTalk Live From Denver
They brought me a picture and audio and I’m happy to let you know what the folks at AgriTalk are doing here at the Cattle Industry Convention. Mike Adams is broadcasting live each morning from here in the convention center in Denver.
Yesterday’s program featured Cattlemen’s Beef Board members Jim Little (far left) from Idaho, currently Chairman of the Joint Nominating Committe and Dave Bateman (center) from Illinois, who has been nominated as the new Secretary/Treasurer.
You can listen to the segment of the show they appeared on here: AgriTalk Program Segment (13 min. WMA File)
You can also find the complete program from their program archives here.