2010 ANNUAL CONVENTION

2010 Annual Convention

February 10-13, 2010

at the Westin Riverwalk

in San Antonio, TX

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

2010 Annual Convention Brochure

Spurring Change: New Strategies for a New Economy

On the heels of a challenging year, the turkey industry needs to spur change, whether it is with regulators, legislators, the media, customers or consumers.  NTF’s 2010 Annual Convention is designed to help members learn new strategies to deal with an economic environment unlike any in recent memory.  Once again, the federation will bring together exceptional speakers, breakout sessions and committee meetings designed to educate and inform the industry on legislative, regulatory, marketing and public issues.  So, put on your spurs and join more than 500 of your colleagues in February at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.

AGENDA

Wednesday, February 10
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Executive Committee Meeting

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Sponsored by Cryovac/Sealed Air Corp.

Thursday, February 11
7:00 a.m. – 8:00a.m.
Breakfast
Hosted by Aviagen Turkeys

8:00 a.m. – Noon
General Session I

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Spouse Coffee

Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Luncheon

Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Past Chairmen’s Luncheon
(by invitation only)

Committee Meetings:
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
TURPAC

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
Marketing Communications
Membership/Purchasing Managers
Technical and Regulatory
Turkey Health

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Legislative Committee

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Preferred Suppliers Reception
(by invitation only)

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Reception
Sponsored by Elanco Animal Health

Friday, February 12

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Hosted by ChemGen Corp.

7:45a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
New Member Briefing

Committee Meetings:
8:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Issues Management
Live Production
Technical and Regulatory

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Family Program

Noon – 5:30 p.m.
Seventh Annual Turkey Tee-Off Golf Tournament

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Reception
Sponsored by Phibro Animal Health

9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
TURPAC Lounge

Saturday, February 13
7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
Hosted by Alltech, Inc.

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
General Session II

Concurrent Breakout Sessions:
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Animal Welfare
Environment
Food Safety

9:00 a.m. – Noon
Executive Committee Meeting

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
New Board of Directors Orientation

2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Board of Directors Meeting

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Reception
Hosted Bar Sponsored by Bayer Animal Health
Hors d’oeuvres Sponsored by Volk Enterprises, Inc.

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
NTF Banquet/Award Presentations
Entertainment Sponsored by Intervet/Schering-Plough, Inc.

General Membership Meeting
Immediately after the General Session, NTF will conduct its Annual Membership meeting. At this meeting, Chairman Walter Pelletier will provide the annual State of the Association speech and members will elect the 2010 NTF Board of Directors.

NTF’s Seventh Annual Turkey Tee-Off 
Friday, February 13
Noon – 5:30 p.m.
The Quarry Golf Club

Join us for the seventh-annual Turkey Tee-Off Golf Tournament at The Quarry Golf Club, the most unique golf experience in San Antonio.   The Keith Foster designed golf course is recognized around the country for its unique setting and design.  The front nine plays in a links-style format and features rolling hills, native grasses and immaculate greens.  The back nine lies out in a 100-year-old quarry pit

We’ll be playing a Captain’s Choice format and will have a shotgun start at noon.  There will be a TURPAC prize on one of the holes and numerous prizes for the winning team and other honors

In recognition of NTF’s 70th anniversary, the entrance fee for the tournament is just $70 per player.  This fee includes transportation to and from the course, green fees and a boxed lunch at the course.  Tournament check-in will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Westin Riverwalk and buses will depart promptly at 11:30 a.m.  Be sure to sign up for the Golf Tournament on the enclosed convention registration form.  You cannot register on site for the Turkey Tee-Off.

Spouse Get Acquainted Coffee
Thursday, February 11
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Join us for an opportunity to share a cup of coffee and meet with other spouses as we learn about our host city from a representative with the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Family Program: The Whole Enchilada 
Friday, February 12
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

San Antonio’s diverse culinary creativity will be revealed as noted restaurateur, Blanca Aldaco of Aldaco’s Mexican Cuisine, shares her savory secrets. The palatable presentation covers the history and historical events that influenced Mexican cuisine.  It is truly inspiring to observe Blanca’s passion for cooking the foods she was introduced to as a child.  Not only will participants get a great meal, they will also participate in the preparation of the “Perfect Chicken Enchilada” and quite likely the best margarita. It’s pure San Antonio
Included in the price of the ticket is a private cooking class, lunch, two margaritas and a keepsake “no one is the same” margarita glass.

General Session I
Thursday, February 11
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

A challenging year demands a General Session that provides thorough coverage of a diverse range of topics.
Seldom has the turkey industry faced major challenges on the regulatory, political, economic and marketing fronts simultaneously.  The General Session is designed to give industry leaders the information they need to make key business decisions in this ever-changing environment.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has been invited to deliver the Keynote Address, and Tom Elam of FarmEcon LLC is on tap to provide his annual Economic Update.  In addition, there will be a speaker to offer insight into the current trade outlook, specifically the prospect for key turkey export markets.  Finally, a leading political authority will be on hand to provide a preview of the 2010 mid-term elections.

General Session II
Saturday, February 7
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Spur Change with Food Safety, Environmental and Animal Welfare Advocates
The turkey industry has placed a high priority on ensuring the health and wellbeing of its flocks and providing a safe food supply, all while being good environmental stewards.  Meanwhile activists are degrading the trust and confidence of our products and our production practices.
The second General Session will bring leading advocates and activists from the consumer, environmental and animal welfare communities to discuss their agendas.   Afterwards, participants will break out into three groups to discuss how the industry can learn from these advocates and even how we can better communicate our production and processing practices to various publics.

TURPAC Lounge 
Friday, February 12
9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Join us at our second annual TURPAC Lounge, a late-night party for TURPAC contributors as a way of saying “thank you” for your ongoing support.  This year, join us after the evening reception for some Texas Hold ‘Em, two-step dancing and margaritas on the San Antonio Riverwalk.  A TURPAC contribution of $100 or more is required to attend this event.

Weather
In February, San Antonio’s average high temperature is 67 degrees Fahrenheit and average low is 43 degrees Fahrenheit.  A sweater or jacket is advisable for the cooler evenings.

Suggested Attire

Committee Meetings/Educational Sessions …………Business Casual

Receptions ………………………………………………………Business Casual

Banquet …………………………………………………………Business/Cocktail

Family Program …………………………………………………Casual

Transportation to the Hotel

The Westin Riverwalk is located 10 miles from the San Antonio International Airport. Taxi service, limousine, car rental and shuttle services are available. Take a taxi to the Westin Riverwalk for $26 or take the SATRAN one-way for $18 per person.  For more information, contact the Westin Riverwalk concierge desk.

Hotel Information

The Westin Riverwalk
420 Market Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205
Phone: (210) 224-6500

Welcome to San Antonio’s Paseo del Rio, a pedestrian river walk of hidden gardens, shops and sidewalk cafes, one story below downtown. Shaded by cypress and palm trees, The Westin Riverwalk San Antonio graces this famous thoroughfare and celebrates the beauty and heritage of Texas’ oldest city.
Expect a warm welcome at The Westin Riverwalk where guests are greeted with delicious dark chocolate imported from Venezuela.  A beautiful, copper platter filled with El Rey Latin American specialty chocolates greets guests at check-in.

Relaxing and convenient, the Alamo, La Villita and Market Square are all just minutes away.  Rejuvenate in the state-of-the-art WestinWORKOUT® Gym or relax with a soothing spa service.  Dine at Zocca, a rustic-style Italian restaurant located on the Riverwalk.

Sponsorship Information

The National Turkey Federation provides the opportunity for NTF members to sponsor Annual Convention events.  The levels of sponsorship are:

           600 Club                    $600
           Bronze*                     $1,600 – $2,499
           Silver*                       $2,500 – $4,999
           Gold*                         $5,000 – $9,999
           Platinum*                   $10,000 – $14,999
           Diamond*                   $15,000+

*Automatically a 600 Club member.

We encourage you to participate in NTF’s 2010 Annual Convention Sponsorship Program. With many industry executives attending the convention, your sponsorship gives you the opportunity to reach out to many in the turkey industry through outstanding educational programs, general session speakers and networking events at the convention.  Please contact Jen Zukowski (202/898-0100 ext. 7229, E-mail: jzukowski@turkeyfed.org) for more information about available sponsorship opportunities.

Hotel Cut-Off Date:  January 18, 2010

Make your reservations and find more information by visiting the Westin Riverwalk Web site: 

Westin Riverwalk 
Or log in to the “Members' Only” area of the NTF Web site, www.eatturkey.com

Click on “2010 Annual Convention” in the “What’s Hot” section of the “Members’ Only” Web site

NTF has negotiated the following room rates for February: 

Single/Double……………………$215