The Agricultural Relations Council is the only association dedicated to serving the unique needs of public relations professionals working in agriculture, food, fiber and other related industries. ARC is a conduit for problem-solving, idea-sharing and collaboration among members, who share a passion for excellence in public relations.

Announcements:

 

📣Get your calendar marked and your room booked – Des Moines here we come!! Join us June 13-15, 2023 for the upcoming ARC Annual Meeting!!

Plans are already underway for the 2023 Agricultural Relations Council Annual Meeting being held in Des Moines, Iowa June 13-15. Registration is open!

Register Here

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday, June 13

2:00 p.m.              Board of Directors Meeting

5:00 p.m.              Informal Gathering in Hotel Bar

6:00 p.m.              Group Activity

 

Wednesday, June 14

8:00 a.m.              Breakfast, Welcome to Iowa, Erin Nash, National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB)

9:00 a.m.              Welcome and Introductions
                                Introduce McKenna Greco, ARC/G&S Communications, Summer intern

9:15 a.m.              Education Session I – Overview of Ag Issues in Iowa
                               Panelists: 
                               Aaron Putze, Chief Officer of Strategy and Brand Management for the Iowa Soybean Association
                               Emily Ibach, Head of public affairs and state government relations for Pivot Bio
                               Ben Gleason, Executive Director of the Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council
                              Spencer Vance, Director of Customer Engagement, Albaugh LLC
                              Moderator:  Sally Behringer, President and CEO, MustangRED Communications

10:30 a.m.            Break

10:45 a.m.            Education Session II – Journalist panel:  What Reporters Want from PR Pros
                               Panelists: 
                               Dustin Hoffmann, Supervising Editor/Farm Broadcaster, Iowa Agribusiness|Radio Network
                               Gil Gullickson, Regional Editor, The Furrow
                               Mark Dorenkamp, Anchor/Reporter, Brownfield
                               Moderator: Lori Hallowell, VP/Director of PR, Bader Rutter

Noon                     Lunch

1:30 p.m.              Education Session III – Building Blocks of Crisis Communication
                               Panelists:
                               Cindy Cunningham, PR Managing Supervisor, Woodruff,
                               Eileen Wixted, President, Wixted and Company
                               Leah Daniels, President, NewsWorks
                               Moderator:  Sally Behringer, President and CEO, MustangRED Communications

3:00 p.m.              Break

3:30 p.m.              Education Session IV – Social Media Best Practices
                                Panelists:
                                Avery Amensen, Sr. Public Relations Consultant, Flynn Wright
                                Devin Benish, Digital Media Manager, Iowa Soybean
                                Mallory Cates, Digital Marketing Analyst, Blue Compass Interactive
                                Moderator:  Laurie Langstraat, VP of Public Relations, National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS)

4:30 p.m.              ARC Business Meeting

6:30 p.m.              Golden ARC Awards Banquet

 

Thursday, June 15

8:00 a.m.                         Depart by bus

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.              Des Moines Water Works

10:00 – 11:15 a.m.          World Food Prize Facility

12:15 – 2:00 p.m.            Wills Family Orchard, eat box lunch at orchard

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.              Stine Seeds Company

4:45 – 6:00 p.m.              Big Grove Brewery, brief tour, beverages and appetizers

 

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We are setting up camp at Hotel Fort Des Moines so get your room reserved now – the discounted rate ends May 30! http://bit.ly/2023ARChotel

Despite being coined the “Hawkeye State,” Iowa is nearly synonymous with agriculture. Iowa agriculture is responsible for a direct economic output of $88.3 billion and more than 315,000 jobs contributing $17.57 billion in wages, according to the sixth annual Feeding the Economy report. When the multiplier effect is considered, Iowa agriculture supports 801,000 jobs and a $204 billion economic output. Iowa agriculture also has an export value of $6.56 billion.

Des Moines’ top non-government employers include John Deere and Corteva. Iowa leads the United States in corn, soybean, pork and egg production.

Gain some insights on Iowa agriculture and effective agricultural public relations tactics by attending this year’s ARC Annual Meeting.

 

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