Gateway NAMA Has Moved

We've moved to a new location so get ready to bookmark it.

You can now find Gateway NAMA at www.gatewaynama.com.

Terry Barr Meeting Well Attended

Our January meeting is just finishing up with some questions and answers with Terry Barr. We've got about 60 people here!

If you missed today's meeting then you missed information from our speaker like his belief that we'll see a potential doubling of ethanol production within 4 years and a doubling of how much corn is being used to make ethanol. Along with these predictions he's providing his assumptions. We're going to continue to hear lots about this since what happens in the biofuels markets has such an impact on other commodities and with legislation.

Make sure you find time to support your chapter and attend an upcoming meeting. Keep an eye on your inbox for those announcements and right here.

January Meeting Announcement

Gateway NAMA & the St. Louis AgriBusiness Club present:

Implications for Agribusiness with an Updated Outlook of the U.S. Economy

...Interrelationships in the outlook for the U.S. and global economy and the implications for agriculture and agribusiness. Factors shaping the rapid structural transformation of the U.S. and global food, fiber and agriculture business systems and the implications for farm policy, agriculture trade policy and rural infrastructure.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 9, 2007

SPEAKER: Terry N. Barr is currently the Chief Economist for the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and Vice President of the Cooperative Business Center in NCFC. The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, located in Washington, DC, is a nationwide association of farmer cooperative businesses. Prior to joining NCFC in 1985, Terry held several positions during his 14 years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). He served as Chairman of the World Agricultural Outlook Board, which was responsible for coordinating the commodity forecasts of USDA and publishing the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. He also served in the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture as director of the Economics Analysis staff, which prepared economic analysis and assessments of alternative farm policy options and decisions.

TIME: 11:30 a.m.-Networking Reception .......12:00 p.m.-Luncheon & Program

LOCATION: Sheraton Westport, St. Louis, MO – 900 Westport Plaza Drive– East Ballroom

RSVP by January 5th. Cost is $20 per person, payable by cash or check at the door. E-mail gatewaynama@yahoo.com or call 636/449-5040 to reserve your spot. No-shows will be invoiced.

December Meeting Announcement

The St. Louis Agri Business Club and the Gateway Chapter of NAMA Present …

Exploring Specialty Markets: The Current “Landscape” of the Horticultural and Turfgrass Industries

Speakers: Mary Ann Fink, Missouri Botanical Garden and Tom Keeven, Emerald View Turf Farm

Date: Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Time: 11:30 a.m. Networking Reception
12:00-1:30 p.m. Luncheon & Program

Location: Sheraton Westport, 900 Westport Plaza Dr., St. Louis, MO

Cost: $20 per person (payable by cash or check) or $10 with the donation of nonperishable food items - to be given to a local food bank.

About the Program: There’s more to agriculture than commodities! Here’s a chance to learn more about the specialty markets of horticulture and turfgrass – current size and scope, the major issues facing these industries, opportunities and challenges.

Mary Ann Fink is a certified arborist, master gardener and horticultural educator. In her position at the Missouri Botanical Garden, she teaches a variety of professional and home gardening classes, as well as coordinating the Garden’s Plants of Merit Program. Her background includes 20 years professional experience in the home gardening industry, many years of volunteer work as a Master Gardener and as a Plant Doctor at the Missouri Botanical Garden's Kemper Center for Home Gardening.

Tom Keeven is owner of Emerald View Turf Farms, which has three locations in Missouri and Illinois. Since 1951, Emerald View has been providing and servicing turf for lawns, golf courses and sports fields throughout the area, including Busch Stadium. Tom has served in a number of positions, including president, for Turf Producers International, and is a regular speaker for the turfgrass industry.

RSVP: Please e-mail gatewaynama@yahoo.com or call 636/449-5040 by Friday, December 8 to reserve your spot for this meeting.

Cause-related Marketing

Steve Drake, president and CEO of Drake & Company, an accredited association management company, spoke at the November 21 meeting of the St. Louis Agribusiness Club and Gateway NAMA Chapter.

The topic centered on cause-related marketing based on the example of FedEx and Christmas Spirit Foundation's Trees for Troops initiative. Last year FedEx and CSF joined to provide Christmas trees to servicemen and women overseas and their families on the homefront. FedEx provided the logistics and transportation; the National Christmas Tree Association provided the trees.

Although the story was a more or less a footnote nationally, it generated significant media impressions regionally and influenced the purchase of millions of Christmas trees. The program is on again this year, with more trees going to more locations.

Generation Y is driving cause-related marketing. With greater spending power than the boomers and a greater interest in helping others, there is a desire to court the demographic through causes such as the Koman Foundation or local schools.

The power of a cause to generate business is getting noticed. Associations, agencies and corporations are taking an initiative to link with causes that will further the brand.

For more information about cause-related marketing, contact Steve Drake: drake@drakeco.com.

November Meeting Announcement

Gateway NAMA and the St. Louis AgriBusiness Club Present:

Connecting the Unconnected: Case Studies in Cause-Related Marketing

Speaker: Steve Drake, CEO, Drake & Company

Tuesday, November 21
11:00 a.m. – Special Presentation by Janet Braun, Croplife Ambassador Network
11:30 a.m. – Networking Reception
12:00-1:30 – Luncheon & Featured Speaker
Sheraton Westport Plaza (900 Westport Plaza Drive)
Sponsored by: Drake & Company

Consider this:

Eight in 10 Americans prefer to do business with companies and organizations that support causes. Among the 72 million people in the emerging Gen Y population, 50% would switch brands and two-thirds would switch retailers for one with a good cause, assuming price and quality are equal. 91% of consumers say they have a more positive image of a company or product when it supports a cause. Is your company or organization tapping into this market?

Drake & Company CEO Steve Drake will explain the purpose of cause-related marketing and what it can do for your company. He will also share some case studies of successful cause marketing programs, such as the National Christmas Tree Association’s Trees for Troops program.

Steve Drake is founder and owner of Drake & Company, an accredited association management company that serves as headquarters and staff for leading national associations. After beginning his career as a reporter for The Associated Press, he launched a public relations career in higher education and associations spanning 29 years. For his work, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has awarded him three Silver Anvils, the highest award in the public relations profession.



In addition, Janet Braun of the Croplife Ambassador Network will present a special workshop at 11:00 a.m. for all who are interested. The CropLife Ambassador Network (CAN) will reach out to elementary school students in St. Louis and across the Midwest this fall with their program titled "America's Abundance." Urban populations lack understanding of agriculture's affects on their daily lives and the processes used to produce an abundant economical supply of food and fiber. So if you have the desire to help connect children to agriculture, contact the CropLife Ambassador Network. Participating in their network saves you time because you will have access to free presentation materials, visuals and coordination services. Your time will be spent directly with educating 4th - 6th grade students. To learn more or join, visit our volunteer orientation page at http://ambassador.maca.org or call Janet Braun, Program Coordinator, at 314-849-9446 or 800-625-2767.

To reserve your spot for the meeting, e-mail gatewaynama@yahoo.com or call 636/449-5040 by Nov. 17, 2006.

A Great Meeting

Thanks to everyone who attended yesterday's meeting of Gateway NAMA and the St. Louis Agri Business Club. About 75 people joined us for our Agency Roundtable, featuring speakers from some of the leading ag advertising agencies in the area, and led by moderator Janice Dahl of Anchor Management Group. Our October meeting was sponsored by Osborn & Barr Communications.

Our speakers for the meeting were:

• Joe Osborn, Osborn-Barr Communications
  
• Scott McClure, Brighton
  
• Bill Shelton, Left Field Creative
  
• Scott Kington, WoodruffSweitzer
  

Thanks also to our NAMA Board Members who helped with this meeting - including Janice Dahl, Chris Luelf, Rhett Hawkins and Brian Reuwee.

Our next meeting is set for November 21, and the topic is Cause-Related Marketing. Check back soon for more details.

Agency Roundtable

Photos from the Gateway NAMA and St. Louis Agribusiness Club Agency Roundtable, October 10, 2006 at the Sheraton Westport.