News Technology Highway Leads To Annual Meeting In Montgomery

Technology Highway Leads To Annual Meeting In Montgomery

Technology Highway Leads To Annual Meeting In Montgomery
November 26, 2012 |

The Alabama Farmers Federation’s 91st Annual Meeting will feature a new venue and new technology as more than 1,200 members gather in the Capital City Dec. 2-3.“We’re excited for the meeting to come to Montgomery and feel the city offers three big advantages with the Montgomery Performing Arts Center, the Renaissance Hotel and the Montgomery Convention Center all under one roof,” said David Smart, director of Destinations, the organization’s in-house meeting and event production company. “The facilities provide everything necessary for our delegates and exhibitors.”For the first time, county delegations attending the meeting will register online. The registration website, bit.ly/PcIFS8, provides a tentative schedule along with information on hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions in Montgomery. County Federation secretaries should receive details about the registration process. For assistance with the website or registration, contact Meetings and Events Project Manager Shane Watkins at swatkins@alfafarmers.org.On Dec. 3, 500 voting delegates from around the state will discuss policy and elect leaders, including president of the 380,000-member organization. Earlier in the year, President Jerry Newby announced he would not seek re-election. A Limestone County farmer, Newby came to Montgomery in 1998 to lead the state’s largest farm organization. In addition to electing a new president, the delegates will elect vice presidents for the Southeast and North regions of the state, four district directors and chairs of the state Young Farmers and Women’s Leadership Committees.Political strategist Karl Rove is the keynote speaker for the closing general session Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. Rove was senior advisor to former President George W. Bush and served as deputy chief of staff from 2004-2007.Currently, Rove writes a weekly column for the Wall Street Journal and is a contributor to Fox News. His book, Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight, made the New York Times Bestseller list.The Service to Agriculture award and the Excellence in Ag and Outstanding Young Farm Family contests winners will be announced during the closing session. All conference attendees must be registered and will use name badges for entry to all sessions and meetings, excluding the concert.Grammy-award winning country artist Dwight Yoakam will entertain fans at a special evening concert Dec. 2. Tickets are available to the public and may be purchased through TicketMaster at www.ticketmaster.com.Prior to the performance, the opening general session will feature the Federation’s video annual report, announcement of the Discussion Meet winner and remarks from Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley.Retiring artist Jack Deloney will be honored with the Image of Agriculture Award at the meeting’s second general session Dec. 3.Throughout the conference, attendees may visit exhibits in the conference center and bid on items in the Young Farmers’ Silent Auction in the MPAC atrium.

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