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NAMA places third in national competition

Members of Iowa State's National Agri-Marketing Association Chapter placed third in the Outstanding Chapter competition at the NAMA convention April 14-15 in Kansas City, Mo.

This is the second year in a row that Iowa State has ranked among the top three NAMA chapters.

Thirty-one chapters from across the nation competed. Chapters were judged on their recruitment efforts, guest speakers, communication and fundraising success.

"It was a proud moment," said NAMA adviser and Greenlee lecturer Shelley Rouse. "I think our participation with our professional chapter in Des Moines has been an important factor in our ranking."

In addition, some members participated in the national marketing competition.

"Every team participating in the marketing competition does an excellent job in developing a thorough marketing plan, a process that takes most teams the majority of the academic year to complete," said Beth Burgy, chair of the NAMA Careers Committee. "This competition is a great opportunity for marketing students to put their education into practice."

The ISU team had 13 students involved with this year's project to market "Amazing Plastics," a plastic container made from corn instead of petroleum. The team spent the last several months doing market research, writing the marketing plan and developing a presentation.

Students decide on a project and develop a plan to successfully bring the product or service to the marketplace.

In developing their marketing plan, students follow the same practices and principles used by today's marketing professionals.

Teams submit a written plan summary prior to the competition and then make a formal presentation of their marketing plan to a panel of judges at the competition. The judges panel consists of marketing and agri-business professionals.

Overall, 31 university NAMA chapters participated in the marketing competition and competed for outstanding student chapter. The competition is part of the National Agri-Marketing Association's annual conference and trade show. More than 350 student members attended the conference.

"Ag students and journalism students benefit from the mix," Rouse said.

Students have the option of taking the course for credit or non-credit in the fall. The class can fulfill the Greenlee School campaigns class requirement, she said.

For more infomation, visit www.stuorg.iastate.edu/nama.

Teresa Krug of the Greenlee Web Team contributed to this article.

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Last updated: May 3, 2004
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