By Jim Haist, Maxinkuckee Group

Arriving at Snowbird’s Cliff Lodge on Sunday afternoon, wow! The fresh air, beautiful mountains and scenery proved a wonderful welcome to what would be great days of learning and networking.

Following a transition from years in the agency business, to making the long-considered jump to freelancing, I saw AMS as a wonderful opportunity to jump-start my business and gain insights on both “the work” and the relationship between freelancers and those who hire our services. To that goal, AMS delivered.

As I prepped for AMS, the list of sessions provided plenty of opportunity for both newcomers and experienced journalists, freelancers and PR pros to learn. Sessions dealt with industry issues as well as right-down-to-the-point techniques. Writing and photography took front stage in most all sessions. And, as I sat through these sessions it was great to see industry pros openly sharing tips, techniques and ideas. They weren’t guarding the “ah-hahs” they’d learned in their careers, rather they were sharing in the spirit to help ag journalism become even stronger, even better. And stronger we need to be, as popular and emotional information about agriculture seriously challenges history, reality and science, and challenges the public’s view of our industry.

Networking is an important component of AMS. It began with The Famous Welcome Party at Snowbird’s Hidden Peak. The crowded tram ride to the Peak was an interesting way to get to know some of the attendees in short order. And that was just the start to the networking. The party and its setting created an atmosphere to meet many attendees in a casual, fun way. And the breakout session, “Keep the Relationship Going,” on Tuesday, helped many of us hone our networking and follow up skills, making the most of the opportunity of this gathering.

Yet the lasting impression of the Summit for me was the closing party. ACT young adults demonstrated energy and professionalism that shone a bright light on our future. And, the awards recognized those experienced veterans for the great4 work they’ve done for their craft and for the industry. It made me proud to be a part of the organization.

Thanks AAEA for a great summit! Thanks especially to the session speakers and committees who worked to make this Summit a great experience. See you next year!