Dec 11, 2018
Registration set for NAFDMA’s agritourism event

Registration is now open for NAFDMA’s 2019 Agritourism Business Conference (ABC 2019). The organization’s flagship event draws hundreds of agritourism operators from across North America. This year’s conference will be held at the brand new Embassy Suites by Hilton Conference Center in Noblesville, Indiana, in suburban Indianapolis from Feb. 1-6, 2019.

NAFDMA ABC 2019 begins with extensive, behind-the-scenes tours of two of the premier agritourism destinations in Indiana. On Saturday, Feb. 2, the ABC will travel to Borden, IN for an all-access look at Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyard. From its humble beginnings in 1843, Huber’s has grownto over 550 acres, featuring one of the most diversified agritourism enterprises in the United States today.

Jan Huber said, “Greg and I have been members for 15 years and we always look forward to reconnecting with our NAFDMA family at convention each year. It is extra special to us this year because of our hosting opportunity on the 1st day of the bus tour. We are excited to show everyone what we (and the next generation) have been working on since the last NAFDMA visit to us, which was the summer ALR in 2009. My favorite part of this association would definitely be the many, many relationships we’ve built over the years and how we all support one another to help grow each other’s business in the ever-changing Agritourism industry!”

On Sunday, Feb. 3, NAFDMA ABC attendees will tour Fair Oaks Farms (Fair Oaks, Indiana). Established in 2004, and billed as the #1 agritourism destination in the Midwest, Fair Oaks Farms features interactive experiences, award winning dairy products and an on-going commitment to consumer education of agriculture and farmers.

On Feb. 4-5, NAFDMA ABC 2019 will deliver a high-value educational experience, carefully curated using extensive feedback from past conference attendees. The two-day Educational Program includes two nationally-recognized, dynamic keynote speakers, four in-depth interactive workshops, information-packed concurrent sessions, a new attendees “Swap Shop” session moderated by crowd favorite Hugh McPherson of Maze Quest, and peer-directed, small-group roundtables.

World-renowned service excellence expert Dennis Snow will deliver NAFDMA ABC 2019’s opening keynote on Feb. 4: “Lessons from the Mouse: Delivering World Class Customer Service.” After starting his Disney career in 1979 as a front-line attractions operator, Snow advanced to managing various operating areas throughout the parks before launching a division of the Disney Institute responsible for consulting with some of the world’s largest companies including ExxonMobil, AT&T, and Coca Cola. Today, Dennis is a full-time speaker and customer service expert on several business news-talk radio shows, with a client list that includes American Express, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Verizon Wireless.

“Dennis Snow is a real get for NAFDMA ABC 2019,” said Corey Connors, NAFDMA Executive Director. “Our attendees don’t need millions of dollars or thousands of employees to deliver a top-flight experience to our growing customer base. Dennis has the tools that you can apply to build customer loyalty and keep them coming back for more.”

On February 5th, John Kennedy will assist attendees in developing the mindset necessary to make strategic, innovative shifts in their business with his keynote: “Vision, Values and Volition: Finding Your True North.” Kennedy was galvanized in the hospitality & tourism industry as a restaurant & hotel executive with a strong sense of teamwork, sales and leadership. As a speaker, Kennedy has addressed well over 250,000 audience members around the world, with clients including the Baltimore Ravens, Marriott Hotels, Orvis, U.S. Air Force, Bermuda Gas, Elizabeth Arden, Taco Bell, Canada Bread – along with over one hundred local, state and federal government agencies and associations.

“I think our attendees are really going to enjoy connecting with John,” shared Connors. “He’s one of them: John grew up on a farm in rural Maryland before cutting his teeth in the tourism industry. Simply put: he gets us.”

The NAFDMA ABC 2019 lineup also features Kim Bremmer of Ag Inspirations, who specializes in connecting farms with everyday consumers to help them customize their message and brand; and visual merchandising guru Joe Baer of ZenGenius, a recognized leader in retail industry consulting. With 24 expert-led, on-demand sessions on guest safety, crisis communications, horticultural production, team-building and regulatory compliance, the two-day educational conference promises to deliver the know-how specific to agritourism operations across the continent.  

Finally, NAFDMA ABC 2019 will also provide attendees with the option of adding-on experiences for an additional fee. These include a local brewery tour on Monday, Feb. 4 and a Bonus Tour Day of two stalwart NAFDMA member farms on Feb. 6: Dull’s Tree Farm in Thorntown, IN and Tuttle Orchards in Greenfield, Indiana.

The early-bird registration rate for NAFDMA ABC 2019 ends on January 4, 2019. For details and to register, visit: www.agritourismbusinessconference.com

NAFDMA is the world’s leading trade association for agritourism. With the mission of creating connection for the prosperity of the agritourism industry, NAFDMA’s members include farmers, extension agents, suppliers, researchers, government officials and other professionals who are part of the thriving farm direct marketing and agritourism industries in North America. More information about NAFDMA can be found at: www.farmersinspired.com.




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