Posted by: admin on September 28, 2021

Posted in: Updates

New Prague, MN (September 22 2021) – Travel to the “River City” – Richmond, Va. – for the 2021 Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) Annual Meeting, Oct. 26-28, in Richmond, Va., at the Courtyard Richmond Downtown. The dozen presenters will share strategies to develop your public relations skills and build your network of agricultural professionals and resources.

To register for the meeting, click hereReserve your hotel room by Oct. 3, to take advantage of the discounted ARC room rate.

With a theme of “Virginia is for Lovers (of Ag PR),” this event provides a forum for agricultural public relations professionals to share ideas and strategies, collaborate among peers and learn about innovative communication tools. “If you have a passion for excellence in agricultural public relations, join ARC members in Richmond, Va., for a career development event that will inspire you personally and professionally,” said ARC Executive Director Kristy Mach.

“This year’s ARC Annual Meeting is a phenomenal opportunity to hear from powerful Washington, D.C. communicators,” stated Mach. “Day in and day out, these ‘movers and shakers’ lead, strategize and implement creative and persuasive messages to build the reputation of U.S. agriculture – domestically and internationally.”

An editor panel, moderated by Lynn Henderson of Agri Marketing magazine, features Sara Wyant, Agri-Pulse, Greg Horstmeier, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, and Jessica Johnson, Newswise. Three seasoned ag communicators – Alan Bjerga, National Milk Producers Federation senior vice president, communications; Christine Cochran, Grain Foods Foundation executive director; and Bethany Shively, American Seed Trade Association vice president, strategic communications – will share their perspectives on “Beneficial Swamp Dwellers: Fighting the Good Public Relations Fight for Agriculture and Food in Washington, D.C.” U.S. Wheat Associates Vice President of Communications Steve Mercer will moderate the lively and interactive discussion, with ample time for attendees’ questions and comments.

Could your writing use a grammar “tune-up”? Kris Spisak, an author, editor and creative strategist, will host a Grammartopia event, which will be fun and interactive – rather than “dry and boring.” Strong grammar is essential to powerful communication – no matter the genre, audience or industry.

Plus, ARC members will learn about bringing more diversity into the agricultural communications profession and how Padilla’s clients are navigating diversity, equity and inclusion in their communications. Jeff Wilson and Julie McCracken of Padilla, which facilitates public relations, advertising and digital, social, investor and media relations, will address these important topics.

The ARC Annual Meeting concludes with an agricultural tour on Oct. 28. Participants will tour the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and learn about Virginia aquaculture. Next, the tour features a tavern lunch in Colonial Williamsburg, before touring stables, visiting rare breeds and seeing the farming and gardening areas of Colonial Williamsburg. End the day in a wine tasting room or exploring unique shops.

Find the complete ARC Annual Meeting agenda here.

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.

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