RECORD ATTENDANCE AT CATTLEMEN'S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

DENVER, (Sept. 17, 1997) -- A record 92 participants from 46 beef industry organizations attended the ninth annual Cattlemen's Leadership Institute held in Denver, Sept. 11-13. The Institute, sponsored by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and Purina Mills, Inc., aims to groom future leaders of the U.S. beef industry for the challenges that lie ahead. This year's theme was "Innovative Leadership."

   "Innovation is a powerful tool within each organization that is waiting to be released, it is not the domain of only a select, talented few," said George Swan, Rogerson, Idaho, NCBA vice- president. "Innovative leaders transform the time-honored principles of yesterday into effective models that work today, and they enable others to succeed by exploring the realm of possibilities."

   Workshops at the Institute included "Everest: The Challenge in All of Us," in which Mount Everest climber Brian O'Malley explored the value of taking risks, overcoming obstacles and teamwork. In "Basics of Innovative Leadership," Jack Schlegel, CAE, taught delegates about the leadership skills needed to drive today's associations, as well as the qualities that make organizations effective. Dr. Gayle Carson addressed time management skills and the importance of prioritizing tasks in "Making Time Work for You." Other topics covered included improving memory retention, the art of negotiation, presentation skills and teamwork.

   Tim Smith of Gruver, Texas, attended the Cattlemen's Leadership Institute for the second time, and said the information gained at the seminar is increasingly valuable. "With the way the industry changes," Smith said, "we have to learn new methods of negotiation and communication. The only way for us to learn them is through seminars like this."

   "If we can't negotiate effectively on behalf of our business and organizations, nothing can get done," added Smith's wife Denise, who also attended the seminar.

   Bob Felknor, executive officer of the Louisiana Cattlemen's Association, said the time management workshop was extremely beneficial. "In speaking with my peers, I've found time management is one of our biggest problems. I'll be able to take all this information back to my association and share it with other members, and we'll be able to implement it in our daily lives."

   Initiated in 1898, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the marketing organization and trade association for America's one million cattle farmers and ranchers. With offices in Denver, Chicago and Washington D.C., NCBA is a consumer-focused, producer-directed organization representing the largest segment of the nation's food and fiber industry.