Page 6 - The Enthusiast Spring 2024

THE ENTHUSIAST
NATIONAL AGRI-MARKETING
ASSOCIATION (NAMA)
SPOTLIGHT
By: Nicole Koziolek
The National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) is dedicated to equipping students with essential marketing skills and professional opportunities through product development projects and presentations. Each year the student chapter creates an effective marketing campaign for a product not currently on the market. The product must be an agricultural product, commodity or service that benefits producers. This year, our product was a laser device that attaches to planters to measure depth and sends the data to
the monitor in the cab of a tractor. As a chapter, we focused on solving a deficiency of information producers are experiencing with the product.
Throughout the year, student NAMA
chapter members meet weekly to develop a product and full-scale marketing plan
for the national competition. During this process, the team creates a 5-page executive summary highlighting the product’s market analysis, competitive analysis, business proposition, action plan, financial evaluation and monitoring and measuring. This document highlights what how the product is relevant in the industry and how it will be taken to the market.
The team also creates a 20-minute presentation describing all aspects of bringing the product to market.
In April, the team presents their product and plan at the national marketing competition to compete against other university chapters. Participation in NAMA offers students the opportunity to apply key skills
taught in our Agricultural Communication and Marketing classes including
but not limited to, public speaking, collaborative teamwork, design and concise writing. NAMA members are also able to network with the members on the professional NAMA chapter in the Twin Cities to further their marketing plan and presentation as well as gain connections that will last well into the future careers. Joining the student NAMA chapter is more than a club membership; it’s a space for invaluable career experiences.
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