Engaging with consumers will be hot topic at 2017 Stakeholders Summit
Early registration and hotel discounts end Monday, April 3
March 31, 2017 – Several sessions at the 2017 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit will explore strategies and tactics for how individual farmers, companies and associations can engage with consumers and other key influencers most effectively. The 2017 Summit, themed “Connect to Protect Animal Ag” will be held May 3-4 in Kansas City, Mo. Early registration and hotel discounts end Monday, April 3.
The first panel, titled “Consumer Confidence in Agriculture,” will focus on consumer confidence research conducted in the dairy industry and how the industry is using this knowledge to better connect with the “moveable middle” segment of consumers. Panelists include Rex Martin, senior vice president, owner relations and Scott Wallin, director of consumer confidence, both with Dairy Management Inc.
The second panel – “Implementing an Influencer Tour” – will help attendees prepare for hosting influencers on farms and other agricultural operations. Speakers will share what they have learned from three years of hosting influencer farm tours, including tips for planning logistics, finding the right attendees, developing a budget, evaluating the program and working with strategic partners. The panel will feature Meagan Cramer, director of communications and marketing, Kansas Farm Bureau; Jancey Hall, program manager, Kansas Soybean; Stacey Forshee, Kansas grain and beef farmer; and LaVell Winsor, Kansas grain farmer.
“Engaging with consumers and influencers is essential to fostering understanding of animal agriculture,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “Our expert panelists will offer unique advice and insights to the Summit audience, allowing everyone to come away with fresh ideas and tips for implementing them. If your business depends on grocery shoppers, food or other retail company decision-makers, legislators or other stakeholders understanding of our industry, these panels will be immensely valuable to you.”
Be sure to check the Alliance website for the most up-to-date Summit information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA17 and #ActionPlease2017 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.
Make your plans to attend:
The early registration rate of $425 is available through April 3rd. Discounted rates are available for Alliance members, government officials, university representatives and students. To see all rates and register, visit https://animalagalliance.org/summit/register.cfm. Complimentary registration is available for reporters covering the event for media outlets. Contact Hannah Thompson-Weeman at hthompson@animalagalliance.org for details.
The Summit will once again be held in Kansas City in 2017 with all events taking place at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Rooms are available at a discounted rate of $175 as supplies last. Rooms must be booked by April 3rd to receive this rate. For hotel booking instructions, visit https://animalagalliance.org/summit/index.cfm?PageID=8.
Did you attend the 2016 Summit?
If you attended the 2016 Summit and were inspired to take action to secure the future of animal agriculture, we’d love to hear from you! Your story could be featured at the 2017 event. Contact Casey Whitaker at cwhitaker@animalagalliance.org to learn more.
Get involved:
Show your support for the Alliance’s outreach efforts by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! To explore opportunities for 2017 please visit https://animalagalliance.org/summit/index.cfm?PageID=3. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Allyson Jones-Brimmer at ajonesbrimmer@animalagalliance.org.
Thank you to our 2017 Summit sponsors: Farm Journal Media, Meatingplace, Watt Global Media, American Feed Industry Association, Boehringer Ingelheim, Farm Credit, National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, United Soybean Board, American Veal Association, Elanco Animal Health, Council for Biotechnology Information, United Egg Producers, Cobb-Vantress, Inc., National Biodiesel Board, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, The Mosaic Company, Ad Farm, Agri Beef, GNP Business Unit of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, Kemin, National Chicken Council, American Farm Bureau Federation, Dairy Max Inc., Live Oak Bank, North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, Eggland’s Best, Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, Food Industry Environmental Network, LLC, Kansas Farm Bureau and Kansas Soybean.
The Alliance thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Merck Animal Health, Charleston|Orwig, Diamond V, Zoetis, Alltech, Inc., Aviagen Group, Bayer HealthCare LLC, Cargill, Cattle Empire, LLC, Genus PLC – PIC/ABS, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America LLC, Potash Corp., Provimi North America, Inc., Seaboard Foods LLC, Smithfield Hog Production and Iowa Soybean Board.
About the Alliance:
The Animal Agriculture Alliance is an industry-united, nonprofit organization that helps bridge the communication gap between farm and fork. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
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Category: Press Releases
Tag: Consumer Engagement, Stakeholders Summit,