Angus Producers to 'Meet in Montana'
Mark your calendars for the National Angus Conference & Tour, set for Bozeman, Mont., Sept. 15-17.
SAINT JOSEPH, Mo. (April 22, 2010) — The popular National Angus Conference & Tour (NAC&T) returns this fall and is set to draw a crowd. Following a one-year hiatus for last year’s World Angus Forum, the NAC&T will resurface Sept. 15-17 in Bozeman, Mont.
The American Angus Association® and the South Montana Angus Association will host the conference and tour, themed “Meet in Montana” and sponsored by Land O’Lakes Purina Feed LLC and Alpharma Animal Health.
“Angus members and enthusiasts are going to thoroughly enjoy the tour planned for this year in Big Sky Country,” said Shelia Stannard, Association director of activities and events. “We’ve also put together an outstanding slate of conference speakers covering an array of topics from marketing to being a spokesperson for the agricultural industry.”
An optional golf tournament sponsored by the South Montana Angus Association will take place beginning 10 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the Bridger Creek Golf Course in Bozeman.
The official conference will then kick off Wednesday, Sept. 15, at the Gran Tree hotel in Bozeman, Mont., with a welcome by Association President Bill Davis.
Tracey Erickson, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) vice president of marketing, will discuss bridging the gap from producer to consumer and will share insights on how the world’s most successful branded beef program goes to market and engages consumers.
Chef John Doherty, CAB Quality Ambassador and former executive chef of The Waldorf=Astoria New York, will discuss how he inspired a culinary team to greatness and relied on the Certified Angus Beef® brand as a pillar of quality.
Participants will then hear from Charlie Powell, a 20-year senior public information officer for Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Powell will discuss his experiences in crisis and risk communications as well as media relations during his time at WSU and as a longtime public information director for the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association.
Lee Dickerson, Purina director of national accounts and cattle distribution, will explain sustained nutrition strategies; while Randy Blach, CEO of Cattle-Fax — an organization focused on cattle and beef industry market information — will discuss the state of the beef industry and opportunities ahead.
“We are pleased to have established a tradition of sponsoring the National Angus Conference and Tour,” said Rodney Nulik, marketing manager for Land O’ Lakes Purina Feed. “We greatly enjoy our continued partnership with the American Angus Association, its fine staff, along with dedicated volunteer leaders and the membership.
“If ‘Meet in Montana’ holds true to previous events, it will be packed with helpful information accompanied by great food and fellowship. We share the sponsorship again with one of our excellent corporate partners, Alpharma Animal Health.”
The tour will begin Wednesday afternoon following the conference, with an initial stop at KG Ranch near Three Forks, where guests will survey the ranch and other cattle on display before enjoying dinner.
The tour will begin again Thursday, with stops throughout southern Montana including: Hyline Angus, Bozeman; Armstrong Angus Ranch, Cardwell; Wheeler Mountain Ranch, Whitehall; Split Diamond Ranch, Whitehall; and Van Dyke Angus Ranch, Manhattan.
Friday’s tour stops include Montana State University Bioscience Lab, Bozeman; Leachman Angus Ranch, Toston; Sitz Angus Ranch, Harrison; and an optional South Montana Angus Association Elite Female Sale at KG Ranch. Other herds throughout the region will also be on display at many of the stops, and CAB will sponsor a portion of tour meals.
Registration is available online at www.angus.org. Early registration costs $125 per person if paid on or prior to Aug. 13. Registration costs $150 if paid after Aug. 13. Registration for the optional golf tournament Sept. 14 costs $60 per golfer and includes18 holes and a cart. Contact Patti Davis at 406-570-1541 to register or for more information about the tournament.
Attendees should make their own hotel reservations. The GranTree will serve as hotel headquarters. Call 406-587-5261 to make reservations, and ask for the Angus block 804948. Other hotels with Angus room blocks near the headquarters include: Holiday Inn, 406-587-4561; and Days Inn & Suites, 406-587-5251.
For more information about the NAC&T, visit www.nationalangusconference.com; or contact Shelia Stannard at 816-383-5100 or Monica Jordan.
Click here for the schedule.
Editor’s Note: This article was presented as a news release by the American Angus Association and is available for redistribution.