Omaha, Nebraska, USA
January 17, 2013

The Independent Professional Seed Association (IPSA) saw registrations exceed 300 and set yet another sponsorship record at the Association's 24th Annual Conference and Trade Show, January 8-10, 2013 in Tucson, AZ. The event featured several outstanding speakers on a variety of relevant topics. "The IPSA Annual Conference raised the bar again this year with quality programming and talented speakers, and we were thrilled and humbled to draw such a large crowd of regional, independent seed companies and Associate members to the Conference" commented outgoing IPSA President John Hennenfent, Munson Hybrids, Galesburg, Illinois.

IPSA's Business Development Committee provided insight and support throughout the conference planning process. IPSA President Chuck Cornelius, Cornelius Seed, Bellevue, Iowa served as Chairman of the planning committee and offered this assessment: "This year's Committee began the planning process early by identifying relevant topics and interesting speakers for 2013 that encouraged attendance and participation. I want to thank the Committee for their hard work and energy in bringing this event together, and look forward to even greater participation in St. Louis at the Association's 25th Anniversary Conference."

IPSA also awarded a scholarship to Cullen Johnson, a freshman in plant breeding and genetics at Purdue University. Greg Ruehle, Chief Executive Officer of the Association, offered the following insight regarding Cullen's scholarship application: "Cullen Johnson has clearly set himself apart from his peers - well before entering college, Cullen has assisted area seed companies in contract seed corn research and has begun his own corn breeding program using off-patent germplasm from USDA. His educational path will elevate the impact he will have on the seed industry, and IPSA is proud to have a small part in making that happen."

IPSA sessions feature outstanding speakers

IPSA's Business Development Committee and the IPSA Board of Directors provided insight and support throughout this year's planning process. IPSA President Chuck Cornelius with Cornelius Seed in Bellevue, Iowa served as Chairman of the planning committee and offered this assessment: "This year's conference offered content our members can benefit from and profit from directly and immediately."

Opening Session
Wednesday's programming began with an opening keynote presentation titled "Riding for the Brand" by Jim Whitt. Jim's presentation highlighted how successful companies can become when management, employees and customers all work together for a common purpose, much like cowboys in the Old West "rode for the brand."

General Session I
John Hennenfent with Munson Hybridsmoderated a rapid-fire session, where all breakout speakers had 5 minutes to highlight their presentation to all attendees. The program helped attendees decide what concurrent session to attend later in the day.

Wednesday Breakout Sessions
The morning concluded with five concurrent breakout sessions, highlighted below:

• Case Study: Servi-Tech implements "Riding for the Brand" - Jim Whitt, Purpose Unlimited and Mitch Counce, Servi-Tech, Inc.
• Seed Supply Strategies: Meeting the Demand - Lyle Marcus with Thurston, Inc. and Matt Shipton with MayerSeedline
• More Yield from Your Marketing Efforts - Ross Dobson, Sir Isaac Co.
• IPSA Research Project Review - Ray Knake, Everything Seed Treatments
• Personality Types - Sondra Whitt, Purpose Unlimited

General Session II
Thursday begin with another rapid-fire session featuring breakout speakers presenting that day. Chuck Cornelius, Cornelius Seed, Bellevue, Iowa and IPSA First Vice President and Planning Committee Chairman, served as the moderator for the event.

PM Breakout Sessions
IPSA hosted a variety of breakout sessions right after lunch that included the following:

• Data to Dollars: Is Big Really Best? - Jeff Tennant, Farm Progress
• Mobile Marketing 101 - Joel Jaeger, Commodity Update
• Washington Update - Michael Parrish, Monsanto
• Group Travel ideas - Rachelle Kloppe, HelmsBriscoe
• Create Distinction - Scott McKain, McKain Performance Group

Benchmarking Luncheon
Thursday's luncheon program included an update on the IPSA Benchmarking program for regional seed companies by Gary Wackerlin and Mike Mazzocco with Verdant Partners. Joining Mike on stage were three IPSA members who utilize the program - Carl Peterson with Peterson Farm Seeds, Glen Davis with Legend Seeds, and Tom Burrus with Burrus Bros. All three companies encouraged more participation in 2013.

General Session III
The closing General Session included a presentation by Scott McKain titled "The Ultimate Customer Experience." Building on his breakout presentation from earlier in the afternoon, Scott gave an insightful presentation into how companies can further differentiate themselves in a commodity marketplace, and offered IPSA members several tools to help accomplish these changes in their businesses.

Summary
"This year's conference theme was 'Riding for the Brand,' and the program content and speakers cleared delivered that message to attendees. Given the tremendous success surrounding this year's conference, I can't wait to see what the planning committee has in store for the Association's 25th Anniversary Conference in St. Louis - January 14-16," stated IPSA's CEO, Greg Ruehle. He added "IPSA strives each year to deliver high-quality and relevant programs for its members - at Annual Conference, via the web and by direct delivery. This conference certainly kicks off 2013 programming with a bang."

IPSA announces 0fficers for 2013

A key responsibility of members at the IPSA Annual Conference is to make elections to the IPSA Board of Directors and to select Association Officers for the coming year. Board members elected to the Board this year include:

• Lou Buice, Golden Acres Genetics, Waco, Texas (re-elected to second term)
• Terry Schultz, Mustang Seeds, Madison, S. Dakota (re-elected to second term)
• Christine Varner, DF Seeds, Dansville, Michigan (elected to first term)

Additionally, the following Officers were elected by the Board for the coming year:

• President - Chuck Cornelius, Cornelius Seed, Bellevue, Iowa
• First Vice President - Lou Buice, Golden Acres Genetics, Waco, Texas (also Chair of the IPSA Business Development Committee)
• Second Vice President - Terry Schultz, Mustang Seeds, Madison, South Dakota
• Treasurer - Carl Peterson, Peterson Farms Seed, Inc., Harwood, North Dakota
• Secretary - Randy Wilken, ProHarvest Seeds of Ashkum, Illinois (also serves as Chair of the IPSA Member Services Committee)
• Shane Ohlde, Ohlde Seed Farm, Palmer, Kansas was selected as Chair of • IPSA's Education Committee for 2013

IPSA recognized John Hennenfent with Munson Hybrids, Galesburg, Illinois for his past year of service as the Association's President. The Association also recognized Steve Kinsell with Silver Lane Hybrids, Remington, Indiana, who has served six consecutive years on the IPSA Board, including the office of President during 2011.
 

Website: https://ipseed.org

Published: January 17, 2013