Members of the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) traveled to Kansas City, Mo., recently to compete in a national marketing competition.

Over 30 student NAMA chapters from across the nation participated in the preliminary round of the competition which was a part of the National Agri-Marketing Association’s annual conference and trade show.  ABAC was one of only 12 teams to advance to the semifinal round.

 “We have worked so hard over the past several months to develop this marketing strategy,” NAMA Team Captain Jennifer Mizell, an agribusiness major from Dundee, Fla., said. “This year’s product was unique, and we were so excited to travel and compete against other schools.  This competition was a great opportunity for marketing students to put their skills to the test.  Traveling to Kansas City for this event allowed our team to network with professionals in the agriculture industry from across the nation.”

The ABAC team consisted of eight students involved with this year’s project which was marketing Breezy Bovine, a mobile, solar-powered cooling unit that utilizes fans to cool cattle on feedlots in a more productive way. The team spent several months conducting 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 agribusiness professionals.

 “ABAC focuses on giving students hands-on experiences,” Mizell said.  “This competition allowed us to learn essential marketing skills, develop a marketing plan, and deliver the presentation. These are the skills that we will use after graduation.”

Other members of the team included Lauren Braddy, an agribusiness and crop production major fromMount Vernon;Taylor Mock, an agriculture major from Colquitt focusing on livestock production; Audrey McGee, an agribusiness major from Hartwell; Loren Lindler, an agricultural communication major from Gilbert, S.C.; Branson Beasley, an agribusiness major from Doerun; David Cheek, an agribusiness major from Sycamore; and Gabrielle Ius, an agricultural communication and agribusiness major from Clermont, Fla.

NAMA advisors are Dr. Audrey Luke-Morgan, Assistant Professor of Agribusiness and Agribusiness Program Coordinator, and Dr. John Lai, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness.