By Pam Caraway, ACN President
Why do you go to Ag Media Summit? Or why don’t you go to AMS?
We’re in the throes of figuring out what AMS will look like in 2025. We know it will be in Rogers, Arkansas. The date is set: July 26-29.
When prices jumped after the pandemic, we took steps to curb costs in ways that contained the attendee registration fee. As we adjusted, however, we hope we preserved the purpose: strong professional development and irresistible relationship opportunities. The biggest change in 2024: an awards lunch rather than a dinner. Hotel folks think a lot of their plated dinners. Personally, if I’m spending $150 for supper, I at least want a glass of wine with it. Two glasses and I might not care how much I spent.
Where the money went was toward high-quality speakers. With the support of our Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF), we can pull in people who bring the know-how and new ideas to send each of us back to the field with new tools and renewed energy. And that’s why I ask: Does your boss know? Can the people around you see the difference in the work you did before AMS and how you deliver after attending?
If not, what do we need to do differently? This is a rare opportunity to share your ideas, note any disappointments and give somebody else something to do – without fear of being asked to take on the project. If you have a complaint, you don’t need a solution. If you have an idea, you don’t have to offer a way to get it done. You can just throw out what you’re thinking, and we’ll run with it.
AMS is your annual memory-making, career-building event. Let’s take it to the next level.
What we do in Rogers shouldn’t stay in Rogers.
– Caraway is editor of Farm Futures.