I almost forgot this picture.
They start them out young at the World Famous Willie Arthur Smith Marching Cobras.
This little dude was a serious drummer.
How To Get That Extra 10%
The closing brunch here at the NAMA Conference features Dr. Barrie Richardson. He’s pictured here (right) with meal sponsor Monte Reese, Cattlemen’s Beef Board.
His presentation is on “The Plus 10% Principle – How to get extraordinary results from ordinary people.” I asked him if there are any ordinary people and how we can apply his ideas in our own lives.
Learn a little from Dr. Richardson here: 
Dr. Barrie Richardson Interview (5 min MP3)
Interview With NAMA Marketer of the Year
NAMA’s Marketer of the Year is Tom Davis, Successful Farming.
Catching up to him is a serious task at a NAMA convention. He seems to have an endless supply of energy. Tom is a past president of NAMA. I finally caught up to him on closing morning and asked him about what his award means to him
You can hear what Tom has to say, including why he’s jazzed about NAMA here: Tom Davis Interview (2 min MP3)
KC Marching Cobras
At first I thought the World Famous Willie Arthur Smith Marching Cobras were a distraction for a trade show but then I realized we needed a diversion and everyone seemed to really enjoy them. They entertained us at the closing session of the NAMA Connection Point.
After parading around the trade show they did a little drumming and dancing.
You can watch a short video clip here: 
Marching Cobras (3 min wmv)
iPods Rule
A podcasting blogger can’t pass up the chance to point out how much iPods are playing a role in everyday life.
The ABEF Silent Auction featured a couple of iPods here at the NAMA Conference. There were regular drawings for iPods.
We sponsored a drawing for a video iPod as a membership incentive for anyone who joined recently. I think NAMA has a couple hundred new members since that promotion started and the winner of the giveaway is Kristil Smit who was not present.
In today’s breakout sessions the panelists were asked how they would finish a sentence that goes something like, “I wish . . .” The answer I heard was, “I wish you’d take those ear buds out of your ears and listen to me.”
And Another Toy Tractor Finds a Home
Almost immediately after our second toy tractor winner picked up his winnings we had another one.
This is Laura Cleary, Michigan State University. Congratulations.
I still haven’t found my number on one.
The tractors are supplied by AgriMarketing Magazine.
Our Second Toy Tractor Winner
We had a second winner today at our NAMA booth. That’s two tractors and counting.
I didn’t not get our winners name. If you know can you post it in a comment?
The tractors are supplied by AgriMarketing Magazine.
How Extreme Is The Future
NAMA’s opening general session speaker today was James Canton, Institute For Global Futures. He spoke on the “extreme future.”
You’ll have to listent to him explain that. One thing he believes is that communicators will need to use the internet and especially wireless devices like mobile phones and that includes farmers.
James Canton Interview (4 min MP3)
George Thornton, Agribusiness Leader of the Year
NAMA’s Agribusiness Leader of the Year is George Thornton, Agriliance.
He was presented the award this morning during the opening general session. George sees a bright future for agribusiness.
He explains what the award means to him in a short interview I did after the session.
George Thornton Interview (2 min MP3)
NAMA Day Underway
It’s time to head off to the general sessions here at NAMA. I don’t have a list of all the student chapters who are in the finals but I know that my alma mater team is in. That would be The Florida Gators. I’ll try to find out more.
The Best of NAMA reception last night was a good party and so was room 4014 (Colle+McVoy). After a good breakfast we’re ready for a full day at NAMA.