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 July/August 2006 NEW CERTIFICATION PROGRAM CAMA is pleased to announce it will be graduating the first class of the new "Certificate in Agri Marketing" at the Best of CAMA in November. "We are very excited about this new educational opportunity for our members," says Lynn Hewitt, Exec Dir of CAMA Ontario. "This adds a dimension to CAMA that many members have expressed a real interest in for some time." George Fraser, Exec Dir of CAMA Manitoba adds, "Not only will this add to the marketing expertise of our members, but it will provide them with additional credentials that are important to both individual members and their employers." The new certificate program has been developed and coordinated by the Canadian Centre for Sales and Marketing under the leadership of Dr. Tom Funk of the University of Guelph. It consists of three courses: Marketing to Farm Businesses, Strategic Agri Marketing and a exciting new course, Agri Marketing Application — an eLearning based course focused on the development of a real marketing plan. Marketing to Farm Business will be offered Nov. 14-17, 2006 in Winnipeg, and Jan. 17-19, 2007 in Guelph. Strategic Agri Marketing will be offered from Feb. 19-23, 2007 in Guelph and Agri Marketing Application will start Sept. 12 and run for 6 weeks online. Individuals interested in learning about the certificate in Agri Marketing are encouraged to visit www.agri business.ca or contact Justin Funk at jrfunk@ccsm.ca for more information. WINNIPEG HOSTS BEST OFCAMA by George Fraser, Exec Dir CAMA Manitoba Canadian agri-marketers will descend on Winnipeg for the 2006 Best of CAMA awards Nov. 2, and Conference Chair Cathy Cordileone says she hopes some NAMA members will attend as well. "Winnipeg is not only the center of Canada's grain industry, but the province of Manitoba has a widely diversified livestock and food processing sector, with many members working in and for related businesses," says Cordileone. "There will be ample opportunity to come early and meet clients and colleagues." Among the events preceding the Friday night awards banquet at the Celebrations Dinner Theatre is an evening reception on Wednesday Nov. 1, followed on Thursday by educational sessions and a tour of Winnipeg's grain industry including the Canadian Wheat Board. Best of CAMA 2006 promises to make "best" even better with some new judging procedures. After hearing comments following recent competitions, a phone survey of members was conducted last February and March. Suggested changes were prepared and approved in consultation with CAMA provincial chapters and will be in place for the 2006 competition this fall. The changes are intended to strike a balance among three factors: fairness; creativity; and agricultural relevance. This year's judging panels will consist of marketing professionals from outside of agriculture and judges with agricultural expertise. Deadline for entries is Sept. 11, 2006. New this year is a People's Choice Award. Individuals in attendance during the entry viewing, will be asked to vote on their favourite finalist entry. Sponsorship opportunities, online entry forms, and BOC event information available at www.bestofcama.com or by contacting conference co-coordinator, Dallas Ballance at 204/475-8585. ONTARIO CHAPTER VERY ACTIVE by Lynn Hewitt, Exec Dir CAMA Ontario The Ontario Chapter has been very active rounding up a number of speakers for the 2007 year, with the possibility of a package deal for members who want to attend all seminars. We are also looking at options for getting out information to members, not just board information but industry information that can help in the general knowledge of all of us in the ag industry. Last month we hosted a morning session on "Consumer Food Trends" given by Gary Fread, Pres/CEO of the Guelph Food Technology Centre. This presentation also spoke to major trends affecting the market for food now and in the future. We heard about the topic of food and health and why is it receiving so much focus right now. Also covered was the current consumer concerns about food safety and food borne illnesses of various types and the impact that the Baby Boomers and the increasing numbers of immigrants will have on market demand. Canada's agriculture and food industry has about a decade to become competitive, basically meaning lower costs and prices because if it doesn't, there will tons of imports coming in to do it. CAMA will be hosting an evening of networking and fellowship on Sept. 13, 2006 at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show. This is a wonderful opportunity to renew friendships and forge new ones. Dave Buttenham, CEO of the Ontario Agri-Business Association will be the featured speaker and the topic will be "Maximizing Ontario's AgriFood Potential." Tweet |
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