Create a free Feed & Grain account to continue reading

Media Engagement Advice to be Offered at 2017 Stakeholders Summit

Online registration closes May 1

Animal Agriculture Alliance Logo

Attendees at the 2017 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit will have the opportunity to learn strategies and tactics to effectively engage with trade and mainstream media. The 2017 Summit, themed “Connect to Protect Animal Ag” will be held May 3-4 in Kansas City, Mo. Online registration for the event is open through May 1.

Two breakout sessions will focus on media engagement and how farmers, company executives and association leaders can build positive relationships with reporters and ensure balance in news coverage. Summit moderator Tyne Morgan, host of the U.S. Farm Report, will join Luke Runyon, agribusiness reporter for Harvest Public Media, for a session titled “Animal Ag in the Headlines: Journalist Perspectives.” Morgan and Runyon will discuss similarities and differences in covering topics related to agriculture for rural and urban audiences.

A second panel, “Setting the Record Straight,” brings together Jennifer Tirey, executive director, Illinois Pork Producers; Phil Borgic, owner and operator, Borgic Farms; and Cindy Cunningham, assistant vice president, communications, National Pork Board. Each will share their role in preparing for and responding to a major media story that offered a less-than-balanced perspective on the Illinois pork industry. Panelists will give the audience insights into the lessons they learned from the experience and what components are essential to a plan for handling media who may bring a clear bias to coverage.

"Ensuring our story is told in both industry and mainstream media outlets is crucial to fostering more understanding of animal agriculture," said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, Alliance vice president of communications. "These two panel discussions will help attendees feel more confident when responding to media inquiries and reaching out to journalists proactively. If you have questions about how to take your media relations strategy to the next level, this is your chance to get them answered!”

Be sure to check the Alliance website for the most up-to-date Summit information and the full program: http://animalagalliance.org/summit. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA17 and #ActionPlease2017 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit please contact [email protected] or call (703) 562-5160.

Make your plans to attend:

The online registration rate of $475 is available through midnight on May 1. Discounted rates are available for Alliance members, government officials, university representatives and students. To see all rates and register, visit http://animalagalliance.org/summit/register.cfm. Complimentary registration is available for reporters covering the event for media outlets. Contact Hannah Thompson-Weeman at

[email protected] for details.

The Summit will once again be held in Kansas City in 2017 with all events taking place at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza.

Thank you to our sponsors and supporters!

Thank you to our 2017 Summit sponsors: Farm Journal Media, Meatingplace, Watt Global Media, American Feed Industry Association, Boehringer Ingelheim, Farm Credit, National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, United Soybean Board, Elanco Animal Health, American Veal Association, Council for Biotechnology Information, Midwest Dairy Association, Summit Livestock Facilities, United Egg Producers, Cobb-Vantress, Inc., National Biodiesel Board, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Protect the Harvest, The Mosaic Company, AdFarm, Agri Beef, BPI Technology, Inc., GNP Business Unit of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, Kemin, National Chicken Council, American Farm Bureau Federation, Dairy Max Inc., Live Oak Bank, North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, Eggland’s Best, Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, Food Industry Environmental Network, LLC, Kansas Farm Bureau and Kansas Soybean.


The Alliance thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Merck Animal Health, Charleston|Orwig, Diamond V, Zoetis, Alltech, Inc., Aviagen Group, Bayer HealthCare LLC, Cargill, Cattle Empire, LLC, Genus PLC - PIC/ABS, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America LLC, Potash Corp., Provimi North America, Inc., Seaboard Foods LLC, Smithfield Hog Production and Iowa Soybean Board.

Page 1 of 22
Next Page