AgWired

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.

This is a great idea, where you could sit and watch your favorite team compete. The winners will be announced at the Trade Show concluding session this evening and I’ll have it posted as soon as I can.

Getting your email is essential these days. Thanks to Farm Journal Media and Broadhead+Co and UPI, 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.

The Best of Show: Advertising was won by IGENITY, Merial, Agency, Bader-Rutter.

The Best of Show: Public Relations was won by West Central Co-op’s, Agency, Innova Ideas & Services.

The Best of Show: Specialty was won by Pfizer Animal Health, Agency, Brown & Associates.

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.

Sarah has put together an outstanding program with her committee this year and needs your congratulations.

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.

Tom gave a summary report of the membership loyalty data analysis done last spring and the membership market research which was conducted in the summer of 2004. This was done to answer the mega questions posed last year by then president, Mike Gustafson, John Deere.

Those questions were:

How do we meet the needs and interests of marketing professionals in agribusiness companies to grow their relative percentage of membership?

How can we strengthen NAMA by adding to the diversity of the membership base?

Tom presented some key findings of the research, including:

Overall, the vast majority of current members view NAMA’s performance as Good/Very Good on most features.

There’s opportunity for NAMA to strengthen its position among current members in the area of professional development and local chapters.

I’m sure NAMA will be making a complete analysis of the research results available soon.

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

Congratulations Rick Turner on your award!

NAMA named James Irwin, vice president, Case IH, the 2005 Agribusiness Leader of the Year. This award honors an outstanding leader in agribusiness, education, government service or other related area.

Irwin’s mentors emphasized his “relationship building” sales strategies that have carried him throughout his career. Irwin recently completed 40 years of service to the company.

Congratulations Jim Irwin. shown here addressing the opening general session after receiving his award!