2005 ARA
AGRICULTURAL RETAILERS ASSOCIATIONNOVEMBER 28-30, 2005
RENAISSANCE WORTHINGTON HOTELFT. WORTH, TEXAS
W W W . A R A D C . O R G
CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION
Register Early & SaveRegister Early & Save
Early BirdRegistrationDeadlineNov. 4, 2005
Dear Ag Retailer:
2005 ARACONFERENCE & EXPOSITIONN O V E M B E R 2 8 - 3 0 , 2 0 0 5 R E N A I S S A N C E W O R T H I N G T O N H O T E L F T . W O R T H , T E X A S
Tuesday, November 29What will the customer of the future want and need?Doug DeVries, Vice President of North America, Australia and Asia,John Deere, will discuss the evolution of production agriculture andoutside influences on the business.
Learn how to distinguish your company from the competition. Mike Jackson, President, Agri Business Group, will help you brandyour business and secure your market share.
Retailer Panel — Star Lineup Includes:• Ken Moshenek of Royster-Clark• Bruce Gwynn of Dune Company• Larry Schermerhorn of Cenex Harvest States• Phil Needham of Miles Farm SupplyFour leading retailers will present strategies for surviving today’sEnvironment: distributors’ new roles as gatekeepers; the changingdynamics in supply chain; the rewards from high intensity crop man-agement; customer segmentation; and, managing the workforce.
Wednesday, November 30Tip O’Neill, International Raw Materials, will address the effect ofrising North American natural gas prices on the fertilizer industryand emerging trends.
Stepping Up to Meet the Challenge: How will retailers competewith manufacturers selling directly to growers? International guestspeakers, Larry Bilodeau, Ballance Agri-Nutrients Limited, and JohnNewland, Chief Executive of Farmlands, share their strategies.
Transportation Panel Discussing industry trends and challenges intransportation:• Kenny Rocker of Union Pacific, representing railroad;• Shorty Whittington of Grammer Industries, representing
trucking;• Larry Daily of Alter Barge Line, representing waterway; and• Larry Culp of Douglass Fertilizer & Chemical, representing
retail.The panel will discuss a broad cross-section of industry topics,including the effects of stringent chemical site security measures,supply and demand as it relates to agriculture within the transporta-tion industry and finding qualified drivers.
On behalf of the ARA Board ofDirectors, it is my pleasure to inviteyou to attend this year’s 2005 ARAConference & Exposition, Changingthe Rule$ — The Way to aCompetitive Edge, November 28-30, in Ft. Worth, Texas.
The ARA Conference Committee has designed a programfeaturing cutting-edge sessions that cover a broad spectrumof business topics, such as profiling the grower of the futureand the importance of branding your retail business. Thereare two panels: the retail panel during which panelists willshare strategies for surviving today’s environment; and thetransportation panel featuring discussions of industry trendsand challenges. Also, you’ll hear an overview of the fertilizerindustry and international guest speakers will share strategieson how to compete with manufacturers selling directly togrowers. As a conference participant you’ll have the opportu-nity to network with colleagues from across the country, ben-efiting from their experience and gleaning new ideas. This isthe must-attend industry event of the year.
We have two exciting events planned this year: 1) the ARA-PAC Auction and 2) the NASCAR & Awards Program. TheARAPAC Auction is a regular conference event that gives youan opportunity to support ARA’s potent political action com-mittee. The NASCAR & Awards Program is the finale eventand an opportunity for you to have the experience of a life-time. You can purchase tickets to race four laps around theTexas Motor Speedway track in an official NASCAR atspeeds in excess of 160 miles per hour with a professionaldriver. Then, to wrap up the evening you will enjoy dinner withcolleagues in the Starlight Café overlooking the track. We’llcelebrate the recipient of the Retailer of the Year Award dur-ing our annual awards dinner.
Surely, you agree this year’s program is one not to bemissed! Mark your calendars now to be in Ft. Worth. I guaran-tee it’s one of the best business investments you’ll make thisyear. See you in Ft. Worth!
Sincerely,
Joe Hodges,Chairman, ARA Board of Directors andDouglass Fertilizer & Chemical Inc.
Conference Highlights
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If we don't change,we don't grow. Ifwe don't grow, wearen't really living.- Gail Sheehy
Everything is connected... no one thing canchange by itself.- Paul Hawken
Hotel InformationRenaissance Worthington Hotel200 Main St.Ft. Worth, TX 76102
For Reservations call (800) 468-3571 or (817) 870-1000. Youmust state you are with the Agricultural Retailers to receive thegroup rate. Or, register online by going to the ARA Web site atwww.aradc.org/2005conf.
Room Rate: $145 Single/double/triple/quad. Be sure to registerby Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, to receive this special rate. For suiteinformation, please contact Peggy Findley (636) 677-4157 or viae-mail at [email protected]. Reservations made after Nov. 4, 2005will be accepted on room and rate availability.
Air TravelAmerican Airlines is the official conference airline offering attendees5 percent off the lowest applicable ticket price. For reservationscall American Airlines Meeting Services at (800) 433-1790.Refer to file number 39N5AO. (Rates available from Nov. 24 –Dec. 4, 2005.)
Airport Shuttle InformationThere are two options for discount shuttle to the RenaissanceWorthington Hotel.
1. Yellow Check Shuttle — $13 each way. For your convenience,please visit Yellow Check Shuttle Web site at www.yellowcheck-ershuttle.com/aradc to download a PDF to make a reservation.Or, you can use their Web ticket service for an even lower rateof $11 each way, just visit the Web site. For added convenience,
they are offering Lincoln Towne Car Web ticket Service at a rateof $72 each way.
2. Taxi – This mode of transportation runs $45-60 each way fromDFW Airport to Downtown Ft. Worth Convention Hotels.
Avis Rental CarTo receive the free discount rate call (800) 331-1600 orvisit Avis online at www.avis.com. Refer to discount numberJ991767 for both phone and online reservations. (Ratesavailable from Nov. 21 – Dec. 7, 2005.)
Hotel ParkingValet parking is $15.00 per day.Self parking $10.00 per day
Transportation
ARA Board Members:Don Pottinger, AGCO – Chairman
Bob Willard, Willard Agriservices – ARA BOD Vice Chairman
Lynn Henderson, Doane
Tommy Jones, John Deere (Credit)
Michael Fiebelkorn, West Central
Charles Adams, Helena
Steve Koep, Case IH
Les Lyman, The Lyman Group
Thanks to the 2005 Conference Planning Committee for their leadership and guidancein developing the program for this year’s informative event.
ARA Advisory Group:Mark Stutsman, Eldon C. Stutsman
Doug McDevitt, Effingham Equity
Tom Tunnell, KS Agribusiness Retailers Assn.
Donnie Dipple, TX Ag Industries Assn.
James Oliver, Control Solutions
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2005 ARA How to Register…Visit ARA’s Web site at www.aradc.org to registeronline. Click on the conference icon to download theconference registration form to fax or mail back.
Or, detach the completed registration form includ-ed in this brochure and mail to:
Agricultural Retailers Association1156 25th Street, NWSuite 302Washington, DC 20005
Or Fax to ARA at (202) 457-0864.
Registration cancellations must be received in writ-ing no later than Oct. 31, 2005. Cancellations, trans-fers and refunds are subject to a $50 administrativecharge. After Sept. 30, registrations are transferable toanother company employee but not refundable.Transfer requests must be received by Nov. 4 for pro-cessing.
Attend this year’s conference to participate in…• Cutting-edge sessions that will discuss broad business strategies,
such as your customer’s wants and needs, how to distinguish yourcompany from the competition, the effects of rising North Americannatural gas prices on the fertilizer industry and emerging trends, learnhow retailers can step it up to meet the challenges of competing withmanufacturers that sell directly to growers, and two panels – a retailand a transportation – will discuss pertinent topics as they relate to theirrespective segments.
• Fun and exciting events to network with more than 400retailers and distributors fromacross the country.
• ARA Expo: More that 60exhibitors will showcase productsand services for the ag retailingcommunity.
• The experience of a lifetime,the NASCAR & AwardsProgram.
See you in Ft. Worth thisNovember!
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CONFERENCE & EXPOSITION
STEP ONE: ATTENDEE INFORMATION(Please fill out one form per registrant.)
Registrant’s Name _________________________________________________
Nickname for Badge _______________________________________________
Title _____________________________________________________________
Organization ______________________________________________________
Business Address _________________________________________________
City______________________________________________________________
State____________________________________ Zip ____________________
Phone__________________________ Fax _____________________________
Email ____________________________________________________________
Billing Address (if different)__________________________________________
City______________________________________________________________
State____________________________________ Zip ____________________
Spouse (if attending) _______________________________________________
Nickname for Badge _______________________________________________
Spouse Address___________________________________________________
Spouse Email _____________________________________________________
Need Special Accommodations Due to Disability _______________________
_________________________________________________________________
If you are an Exhibitor, is this your one complimentary registration per booth?
❏ Yes ❏ No (If yes, skip to step four.)
First Time Attending Conference? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Do you Represent:
How did you hear about the conference? _________________________
STEP TWO: REGISTRATION (ARA CONFERENCE ONLY)
Registration must be submitted/postmarked by November 4, 2005,or you will need to register on-site in Ft. Worth.
Before After No. Total11/04/05 11/04/05
1-4 ARA Members $275 each $325 each x ______ = ______
5 or more ARA $195 each $245 each x ______ = ______Members
Nonmember $325 each $375 each x ______ = ______
Spouse $150 each $175 each x ______ = ______(Rate includes spouse breakfast, program, and all other conference events.)
Grapevine Tour $41 each n/a-- x ______ = ______
STEP THREE: PAYMENT❏ Check ❏ VISA ❏ MasterCard ❏ AMEX
Card Number _____________________________________________________
Expiration Date ____________________________________________________
Name as it appears on card _________________________________________
Signature_________________________________________________________
Make checks payable in U.S. funds to Agricultural Retailers Association andmail to:
Agricultural Retailers Association1156 15th Street, NWSuite 302Washington, DC 20005F: (202) 457-0864
STEP FOUR (Important for planning purposes.)
Conference registration fee covers each of the events below, with the excep-tion of those items with an asterisk. Please mark each event that attendee orspouse will be attending with a check mark.
Registrant Spouse
❏ ❏ Welcome New Members and First Timers Reception,Monday, Nov. 28
❏ ❏ Opening Exhibit Hall and Welcome Reception,Monday, Nov. 28
❏ Spouse Breakfast and Speaker, Tuesday, Nov. 29
❏ ❏ *Spouse Tour, Tuesday, Nov. 29
❏ ❏ Exhibit Hall Breakfast, Tuesday, Nov. 29
❏ ❏ Exhibit Hall Lunch, Tuesday, Nov. 29
❏ ❏ Exhibit Hall Reception, Tuesday, Nov. 29
❏ ❏ ARAPAC Reception and Auction, Tuesday, Nov. 29
❏ ❏ Exhibit Hall Breakfast, Wednesday, Nov. 30
❏ ❏ Exhibit Hall Lunch, Wednesday, Nov. 30
❏ ❏ NASCAR Texas Motor Speedway Reception &Awards Dinner, Wednesday, November 30
*Participation fee for the NASCAR event: • Race Car Rides: $175 per person for four laps at
160 miles per hour with professional driver.• Pace Car Rides: $75 per person for 2 laps.
Please note the number of race car rides you’d like topurchase: ___ Race Car and/or ____ Pace Car.
*RSVP early — only 100 race car rides reserved.Payment for NASCAR car rides will be collectedonsite.
For additional information,please contact ARA at(202) 457-0825. Or, visit ARA’sWeb site at www.aradc.org.
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❏ Retailer/Distributor ❏ Manufacturer of Equipment ❏ Manufacturer of Fertilizer ❏ Manufacturer of CropProtection/Seed
❏ Manufacturer of Other technologies
❏ State Association❏ Media❏ Other
N O V E M B E R 2 8 - 3 0 , 2 0 0 5 R E N A I S S A N C E W O R T H I N G T O N H O T E L F T . W O R T H , T E X A S
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Spouse Tour: Scene It Through TheGrapevineHaving quickly become a popular local destination, Grapevine,Texas, offers visitors a chance to step back in time and enjoy a bit ofsmall town hospitality. Loaded with quaintshops, cozy cafés and antiques, Main Streetembraces guests and invites them to enjoy aleisurely stroll past the many historic homesand buildings restored and preserved bydescendants of Grapevine settlers.
Guests begin their day with a visit to theGrapevine Historic Museum, housed in theCotton Belt Depot and erected in 1901.They step back in time to view the skillsand craftsmanship of our forefathers including live glass-blowingdemonstrations. Also nestled amidst the many art galleries,antiques and specialty shops are several Tasting Rooms of localwineries, including Homestead Winery & Tasting Room the nextstop on this tour. Here guests can sample up to four ofHomestead’s featured wines along with a light snack before movingon to the final destination on this Grapevine Adventure.
After Main Street, guests mosey over to experience Grapevine MillsMall, which offers up something for every shopping enthusiast. This
Texas-sized complex offers over two-million square feet underone roof making it the largest shopping mall in the Southwest.Here, guests can stroll, dine or shop for bargains to their heartscontent at hundreds of best names in manufacturers and retailoutlets, such as Neiman Marcus Last Call, OFF Saks 5th AvenueOutlet, JCPenney Outlet, Chicos Outlet, Ann Taylor Loft andBrooks Brothers Factory Outlet to name just a few.
Don’t miss this fun-filled day!
NASCAR & Awards ProgramRev your engines and let the adrenaline flow!
Sponsored by Syngenta, AGCO and Royster-Clark, this hot rodevent is for retailers with the competitive edge. Now is your oppor-tunity to experience the rush of going speeds upward of 160 milesper hour. Imagine being perched in the center of the action on atrack that stacks four stories high from the infield. That’s whereyou’ll be – center of it all!
This spectacular event opens with a reception on the infield of thetrack at the Texas Motor Speedway Crown Royal Café. Followingyour car ride you will be transported to the Starlight Dining Roomwith a sky view over-looking the track fora dinner buffet andshort awards pro-gram.
* Please notenominal fee forride in officialNASCAR raceand pace cars.
ARA members raised a record $132,000 for the ARA PoliticalAction Committee (ARAPAC) during last year’s auction. ARA-PAC funds are used to support members of Congress whounderstand and support the association’s public policies.ARAPAC contributions allow ARA to be visible at politicalevents where quality time is spent with legislative membersand staff discussing key retailer issues. Member of Congresswho receive ARAPAC dollars serve on influential and relevantcongressional committees with jurisdiction over issues suchas agriculture, conservation, environmental protection, trans-portation, chemical site security and taxes.
ARAPAC has helped ARA claim success on the followingissues:• Hours of Service Ag Exemptions• Zero tolerance on spray drift• Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rules • Non-regulated end-user bulk storage• Chemical site security in the form of the AgriBusiness
Security Tax Credit Act of 2004
ARA Members will receive a separate mailing with a listof the 2005 ARAPAC Auction items.
ARAPAC Reception & AuctionSpouse Breakfast: Presenting ColleenRickenbacher – “Holiday Etiquette &Entertaining”“Tis the Season” for entertaining, gift giving and holiday fun! Whetherattending a social gathering or the corporate holiday party, Colleenknows the importance of first impressions… and making lasting ones too!
Colleen’s “Holiday Etiquette & Entertaining” offers practical tips andsuggestions for you to polish your etiquette and give well-manneredattention to your family, friends, colleagues and clients at what can bea hectic time of year. This practical seminar addresses the finer pointsof projecting a professional image, fashion/attire, hosting client dinners(including negotiating a formal table setting) along with time savingtips to make the season bright!
Date: Tuesday, November 29 Time: 8:00 am – 10:00 am
2005 ARACONFERENCE & EXPOSITION
N O V E M B E R 2 8 - 3 0 , 2 0 0 5 R E N A I S S A N C E W O R T H I N G T O N H O T E L F T . W O R T H , T E X A S
Visit www.aradc.org to registeronline, download additional registration material and view the most up-to-date informationabout the conference, traveland hotel logistics.
1156 15th St., NW, Suite 302Washington, DC 20005
CONTACT ARA AT: 1156 15th Street, NW, Suite 302,
Washington, DC 20005T (202) 457-0825 • F (202) 457-0864
www.aradc.org
