National Corn Growers Association

American Soybean Association

National Association of Wheat Growers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     

Invitation for accredited media to attend 2008 Commodity Classic

Commodity Classic is headed to the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn., where the American Soybean Association (ASA), the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) will assemble for agriculture’s premier trade show and convention Feb. 28-March 1. 

This is a once-a-year opportunity you do not want to miss!  You will have interview access to decision-makers at many top agriculture companies and organizations, in addition to being able to report on new agriculture products, technologies and services. 

Registering for the Commodity Classic is easy—just download a PDF copy of the registration form and return it via fax or mail. 

Here are a few highlights you can look forward to:

• ASA, NCGA and NAWG policy-making sessions
• Seminars on new technology, production, marketing, management and much more
• Trade show with more than 750 booths representing nearly 200 exhibitors
• General Session with the three association presidents in a roundtable discussion; Mike Rayburn, world-class guitarist and stand-up comedian; and keynote speaker Charlie Cook, widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading authorities on U.S. elections and political trends
• Evening of Entertainment featuring an exclusive show at the Grand Ole Opry

Register Now:

COMPLIMENTARY MEDIA REGISTRATION: We are pleased to provide complimentary registration to working journalists and news broadcasters only.Spouses and family must have paid registrations, as well as all other company managers, sales representatives and their spouses. Please fill out the form on page 15 of the registration brochure to register by fax or mail. IMPORTANT: To streamline the media validation process, your completed registration form must include your current business card.  Unfortunately, you can not register online since doing so requires payment and because we need your business card.

ASA and NCGA Awards Banquets will be held Friday, Feb. 29. Be sure to indicate which banquet you will be attending on the registration form. Banquet tickets are based solely on availability after Jan. 16. TICKETS ARE REQUIRED for admission to the banquets.

LODGING: Hotel rooms will book fast, so don’t delay!  Reserve your room today by mailing the housing form to the address in the bottom right portion of the page or by faxing your registration form to the Commodity Classic Housing Bureau at 330-963-0319 (download a PDF copy of the Housing form). If you have questions regarding housing, please call 330-425-9330.

OPTIONAL TOURS: If you wish to purchase any of the optional tours, return your tour registration directly to Destination Nashville.  Visit Tours.
 
Media Benefits:

• ON-SITE MEDIA CHECK-IN –Make the Media Center your first stop!  Pick up your registration packet and media credentials in the Media Center (NOT at the Commodity Classic Registration Desk) beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27 in Ryman Ballroom on the bottom level.   
  
• MEDIA CENTER – Plan to work in our fully equipped Media Center with access to interview rooms, fax, phones, high-speed Internet and other equipment, sponsored by New Holland. 
• MEDIA ONLY TRADE SHOW TIME – The trade show will be open to accredited media one hour prior to the trade show opening. Media will have access to the trade show from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 28, with the general opening at 2:30 p.m.  A Commodity Classic badge is required for access to the trade show floor.    
• MEDIA RECEPTION – Be sure to attend the Commodity Classic Media Reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28 in Delta Island A/B/C, sponsored by New Holland.    
• PRESS CONFERENCES – Join ASA, NAWG and NCGA for individual association press conferences on Thursday, when the officers of the three organizations announce priorities and issues for each of their associations. Other agribusiness press conferences will be held Friday.  We will keep you updated on additional events and provide you with a schedule of news conferences as soon as the details are complete.

Plan now to cover the 2008 Commodity Classic!  For the latest details, please visit www.commodityclassic.com.

If you have questions, please call NCGA Marketing Manager Christina Koboldt, at (636) 733-9004, ASA Communications Director Bob Callanan at (314) 576-1770 or NAWG Director of Communications Melissa George Kessler at (202) 547-7800.

We look forward to seeing you in Nashville!