2006 Farm Business Management Conference
NAFBAS: National Association of Farm Business Analysis Specialists
NFRBMEA: National Farm & Ranch Business Management Education Association
Doubletree Hotel • Omaha, Nebraska • June 5 - 8, 2006
March 26, 2006
Dear NFRBMEA Members & Friends,
June is just around the corner, even if the weather doesn't indicate that. It's still time to begin planning to attend the 34th Annual Conference of NFRBMEA in Omaha, Nebraska. This is a special meeting since it will be the first joint meeting to be held with our colleagues from NAFBAS.
The boards of the two organizations have been meeting since 2003 to learn about each other and discover if a joint conference might work. We voted in 2004 to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with NAFBAS to hold joint conferences in 2006 through 2008.
It's always good to see our Farm & Ranch friends from across the country every year. This year we will meet with a group of professionals who do the same work we do, but work in states we don't typically work in. Representatives from both organizations have been attending each other's conferences for the past two years.
While trying to keep everything we are accustomed to in our conference, you will notice some differences. First, the conference will be one day shorter. The first activity will be a mixer at 6:00 pm on Monday, June 5th and we will end the Business Meeting at noon on Thursday, June 8th. The second difference will be guest registration. Spouses and children over 13 will pay $25.00 to register. This will include the Monday social and the Wednesday activity at the Omaha Zoo. So if a guest wants to go to the Storytelling Breakfast on Thursday morning, that needs to be indicated on the Registration form
The Conference Program will kick off with Dr. Michael Swanson, the Chief Economist from Wells Fargo in Minneapolis. Dr. Swanson has been with us before and will set the tone for our joint meeting. The rest of Tuesday will be devoted to looking at analysis tools used by Farm & Ranch and NAFBAS members in their daily work with producers. Finding common ground and improving data analysis will be the highlights of the presentations. Wednesday will feature Dr. Roger McEowen who has filled the position held by Dr. Neal Harl at Iowa State University. Wednesday afternoon we will spend on tours or at the Omaha Zoo. The Conference will wrap up on Thursday with the Storytelling Breakfast, Elwyn Taylor from ISU and the Business Meeting. Lots of activity is being packed into three days.
You will find included in this mailing a registration form, First-Timer & Exchange of Ideas applications, and information for hotel reservations and Omaha visitor information. The plan is to keep the traditions of NFRBMEA alive and meet new friends and colleagues.
We'll see you in Omaha!
Your NFRBMEA Board & Conference Planners
Conference Agenda
Monday, June 5
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 9:00 am | NFRBMEA Board Meeting |
| 1:00 pm | Registration Begins |
| 2:00 pm | NAFBAS Board Meeting |
| 4:00 pm | Joint Board Meeting |
| NFRBMEA Past Presidents' Meeting | |
| 6:00 pm | Mixer / Social Hour |
| 6:30 pm | Light Meal for Specialists & Spouses Separate Kids' program |
| 7:15 pm | Welcome & Introductions |
| 7:30 pm | Omaha Visitor's Bureau Presentation |
| 7:45 pm | “Who We Are, What We Do” — a panel discussion with four staff members |
| 8:30 pm | Adjourn |
Tuesday, June 6
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Buffet Breakfast |
| 8:00 am | Welcome and Announcements |
| 8:15 am | Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michael Swanson |
| 10:00 am | BREAK & Visit Vendors |
| 10:30 am | “Farm Analysis” Roundtable: Three Half-Hour Presenters |
| NOON | Joint Luncheon |
| 1:15 pm | “Farm Analysis” Roundtable (repeated): Three Half-Hour Presenters |
| 2:45 pm | BREAK |
| 3:00 pm | “Summary of Analysis (Key Factors)” —Mike Duffy, ISU, moderator (Roundtable presenters available for further review) |
| 3:45 pm | NAFBAS Committee Meetings |
| NFRBMEA Business Meeting | |
| 5:00 pm | Adjourn |
Wednesday, June 7
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Buffet Breakfast |
| NFRBMEA First-Timers' Breakfast Meeting | |
| 8:00 am | Breakouts: Exchange of Ideas / Year-End Tax Planning |
| 9:15 am | Roger McEowen |
| 10:15 am | BREAK |
| NOON | Joint Luncheon —Speaker: Richard Ullrich, Canadian Trade Rep |
| 1:30 pm | Family Time |
| 6:00 pm | Family Event at Omaha Zoo |
Thursday, June 8
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:00 am | Storytelling Breakfast |
| 8:15 am | Keynote Speaker: Elwyn Taylor |
| 9:45 am | Final Announcements |
| 10:00 am | NFRBMEA Business Meeting |
| NAFBAS Business Meeting | |
| NOON | Adjourn |
Conference Hotel
1616 Dodge Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68102
The room rate is $122.30 per night single or double. This is the room rate of $105.00 and tax of $17.30 per night. This rate is available until May 19, 2006. After that, regular room rates will apply and rooms will be on a space available basis.
Reservations may be made by calling 1-800-222-TREE (1-800-222-8733) or by Internet at www.webeventplanner.com/directory/doubletreeomaha.
Use the code FBA when making reservations on the Internet and Farm Business Analysis when making phone reservations. The hotel website will also provide more detailed hotel information and directions. Reservations may be cancelled up to 4:00 pm on the date of arrival.
Omaha Visitor Information
Omaha visitor information can be obtained by visiting www.visitomaha.com. This site will provide any information you will need to know about Omaha.
An Omaha Visitor Guide can also be ordered from this site.
Registration Form
The Conference Registration Form can be found on our Fill-In Forms page. Alternatively, you can download a blank registration form to fill out by hand.
Exchange of Ideas
One hundred dollars ($100) will be awarded to the first five (5) individuals submitting an outstanding idea for the Exchange of Ideas activity by May 8, 2006. Complete the application form, including a brief description of your idea, and send to President Elect Jay Olson. Please go to our Fill-In Forms page for more details and this year's application.
First Timer's Scholarship
Once again, the NFRBMEA will be awarding $200 scholarships (covers 2006 Annual Conference Registration Fee) to five (5) individuals attending our Annual Conference for the first time. Please go to our Fill-In Forms page for more information and the application for this scholarship. We will post the recipients' states here as the information becomes available.