Committee Meetings
2008 Committee Information
9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Open to all registered attendees
These informative business sessions are open to all registered attendees. The meetings below are listed by group for easy reference.
Joint Global Consumer Marketing Group
9:00 am – 10:30 am * Plaza Ballroom, Salon F
Virginia Coelho, Chair; J.D. Alexander, Vice Chair
The group will convene to hear program updates and review priorities set by committees in Reno. The individual joint committees (Advertising, Retail, Veal, Foodservice, New Product and Culinary Initiatives and International Markets) will convene following the joint group meeting for to review 2009 plans and make budget recommendations. Come hear the reports, ask questions, give input and generally have your voice and opinion heard.
Joint Veal Committee
11:30 am – 4:00 pm * Director’s Row I
Pat Kilsdonk, Chair; Ray Krones, Vice Chair
The Joint Veal Committee will be reviewing the veal go-to-market strategy and exploring the possibilities with new cuts of veal from the Checkoff-funded Veal Optimization Study. These new veal cuts will provide the foundation for industry leaders’ discussion about new consumer demand for veal in FY 2009 planning.
Joint Foodservice Committee
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm * Governor’s Square 15
Brian Healey, Chair; Bill Jackson, Vice Chair
The committee will discuss the integrated marketing program activities that are working to “Keep Beef King” in the growing foodservice channel. Tactics include channel communications, industry relations, and new product promotions.
Joint International Markets Committee
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm * Plaza Ballroom, Salon F
Dave Hamilton, Chair; Bob McCan, Vice Chair
A critical component of the beef industry long range plan is the international marketplace. After years of beef trade turmoil signals are emerging that we're finally turning the corner on this critical economic component of our industry. Beef producers are invited to hear from a panel of the industry's top beef exporters regarding their priority list of old and new opportunities as we build a new and improved beef export portfolio. Topics will include Japan, Korea, China and Russia as well as a fresh perspective on the European beef market straight from our folks on the ground in these countries.
Joint Retail Committee
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm * Governor’s Square 17
Don Stewart, Chair; Helen Wiese, Vice Chair
Please join us as we discuss what has been accomplished to date on the 2008 Retail AR and what is being proposed for 2009. We will present updates on the Primal Optimization Program, Hispanic Initiative, New Chuck Roll Cuts, Summer Grilling Activities, Packer Meetings and State Beef Council Meetings. Learn how supermarket retailers connect with consumers and drive beef demand using Checkoff-funded programs and promotions.
Joint Advertising Committee
12:30 pm – 4:00 pm * Plaza Ballroom, Salon E
Glenda Flora, Chair; Terri Carstensen, Vice Chair
The committee will receive an update on 2008 advertising details, after which 2009 creative and media plans will be presented for committee discussion.
Joint Public Opinion & Issues Management Group
9:00 am – 9:30 am * Governor’s Square 14
David Dick, Chair; Sugie Sartwelle, Vice Chair
The Joint Public Opinion and Issues Management Group includes the members of the Joint Information Committee and Joint Nutrition and Health Committee and their respective subcommittees. Please join us to review priorities set by committees in Reno, receive direction on actions to be taken at the committee and subcommittee level this summer and ask any questions you have. Subcommittees (Joint Health Professional Influencers, Joint Food & Nutrition Issues, Joint Youth Education & Information, Joint Public Relations and Joint Issues Management) will convene immediately after the group meeting to review 2009 plans and make budget recommendations.
Joint Information Committee
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm * Director’s Row E
Laurie Lickley, Chair; Austin Brown III, Vice Chair
Committee members will hear industry issues management and public relations activity reports from staff and also will review and recommend Fiscal Year 2009 programs in public relations and issues management for the Joint Public Relations Subcommittee and the Joint Issues Management Subcommittee.
Joint Issues Management Subcommittee
9:45 am-2:30 pm * Governor's Square 16 Room
Jim Steinbeisser, Chair; Sharon Spenrath, Vice Chair
Joint Public Relations Subcommittee
9:45 am-2:30 pm * Governor's Square 12 Room
Ann Bruntz, Chair; Daryl Berlier Owen, Vice Chair
Joint Nutrition & Health Committee
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm * Governor’s Square 12
Leo Vermedahl, Chair; Daniel Smith, Vice Chair
The committee will discuss ongoing efforts that comprise the strategic roadmap of nutrition initiatives to promote the role of beef in a healthy diet. Topics will include health professional partnerships and symposia, third-party spokesperson outreach, educational resources, youth gatekeeper communication, and preparation for the development of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. You will have the opportunity to participate in future program direction of the two joint subcommittees: Nutrition Influencers and Youth Education & Information.
Joint Nutrition Influencers Subcommittee
9:45 am-2:30 pm * Directors Row J Room
Terry Handke, Chair; Dan Kerschen, Vice Chair
Joint Youth Education & Information Subcommittee
9:45 am-2:30 pm * Governor's Square 11 Room
Scott George, Chair; Dianne Kirkbride, Vice Chair
9:00 am – 11:00 am * Grand Ballroom I
Dick Sherron, Chair; Craig Uden, Vice Chair
This group will present the findings and recommendations of the following committees: NCBA Beef Production Research; Joint Beef Safety; Joint Product Enhancement; Joint Human Nutrition Research; Joint New Product & Culinary Initiatives; Joint Producer Education Committee; NCBA Livestock Marketing Council and the Market Research Working Group. Join us to hear what fellow producers and industry experts perceive to be the key research priorities for Fiscal Year 2009.
NCBA Beef Production Research Committee
11:45 am – 3:45 pm * Tower Court C
Barry Dunn, Chair; James Henderson, Vice Chair
Come interact with fellow producers and researchers regarding beef production issues and research. You’ll learn and discuss the key research priorities for the beef industry and how they can be used to drive research agendas within the government and other organizations. These research priorities will help to enhance the sustainability and profitability of the beef industry and your business.
Joint Beef Safety Committee
11:45 am – 3:45 pm * Tower Court D
Duane Theuninck, Chair; Mark Riechers, Vice Chair
Consumer confidence in the safety of beef products is integral to the success of the industry. Consumer opinions will be presented by the leader of a consumer advocacy group and balanced with data presented by research scientists. Beef safety research results and application to safety systems will be discussed. Attendees will provide input on research priorities that include emerging safety threats such as multi-drug resistant or new pathogens, as well as pre- and post-harvest intervention needs to address those threats. Beef Industry Food Safety Council and Knowledge Transfer and Implementation initiatives will also be reviewed along with the budget for Fiscal Year 2009.
Joint Human Nutrition Research Committee
11:45 am – 3:45 pm * Tower Court B
Becky Walth, Chair; Richard Thorpe, Vice Chair
The committee will discuss new and ongoing nutrition research projects which help to strengthen beef’s position as a healthful food and as the premier nutritional protein. Key research focus areas include the role of beef’s high quality protein in optimal health, beef’s contribution as a nutrient rich food, beef’s lipids put into perspective and nutrient database improvement.
Joint Product Enhancement Committee
11:45 am – 3:45 pm * Tower Court A
Glen Dolezal, Chair; Paul Parker, Vice Chair
Providing consumers with a positive and consistent eating experience is paramount to long-term customer satisfaction and building beef demand. The committee will focus on beef product enhancement issues such as instrument grading, tenderness prediction, muscle characterization and applications, and how to best get this information disseminated to producers and industry stakeholders.
Joint Producer Education Committee
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm * Grand Ballroom II
Roger West, Chair; John Maas, Vice Chair
Come shape the educational priorities for Fiscal Year 2009. The committee will hear updates on Beef Quality Assurance initiatives including the Beef Feedyard Self Assessment and USDA Premises Registration Cooperative Agreement. You’ll learn about the expanded producer education working group report and discuss current program direction for projects like Cattlemen’s College and the Cattle Learning Center.
Joint New Product & Culinary Initiatives Committee
12:30 pm – 4:00 pm * Plaza Ballroom, Salon D
Tom Hotz, Chair; Mark Pendleton, Vice Chair
This committee sets strategies for the Checkoff funded New Product and Culinary Center programs. Come join us to discuss the progress of the FY08 programs and taste new beef products that have been developed for convenience-oriented adults and youth. Hear updates on your culinary programs, recent developments with adding value to the round and find out all the places where you can find the new chuck roll cuts.
NCBA Membership Committee
9:00 am – 12:00 pm * Denver Room
Bill Donald, Chair; Eric Smith, Vice Chair
NCBA’s success as an organization hinges on the strength of its relationships with members and industry partners. Be sure to attend this committee meeting to get updates on membership activities including: membership recruitment and retention, affiliate partnerships, and revenue development. Attendees will develop priorities for Fiscal Year 2009 and future programs, as well as, participate in planning to enhance current programs and services.
Bill Donald, Chair; Eric Smith, Vice Chair
NCBA Agriculture Policy Committee
9:00 am – 11:00 am * Director’s Row E
Ben Brophy, Chair; Tim Munns, Vice Chair
The committee will be evaluating the results of the Farm Bill and reviewing our performance against the goals we set. We will also be taking a look at current actions in Congress regarding immigration and ethanol, and we will discuss what we can expect from Congress during the final days before the elections.
NCBA Property Rights & Environmental Management Committee
9:00 am – 1:00 pm * Gold Room
Scott Jones, Chair; Jason Hitch, Vice Chair
The focus of the Committee's discussion this year will be on climate change legislation and regulatory efforts. Scientists currently debate whether climate change is manmade or naturally occurring. Regardless of who is correct, however, Congress is moving forward to enact major climate change legislation. Come and learn about projected costs/benefits of such efforts on our economy; and potential benefits for the agricultural sector due to our ability to sequester carbon in our lands and sell carbon "offset credits" to regulated industries. Your input is critical as we discuss these and other environmental issues that affect your business.
NCBA Federal Lands Committee
9:00 am – 2:00 pm * Director’s Row H
Jeff Menges, Chair; Mark Roeber, Vice Chair
The committee will consider important issues that affect public lands ranchers, including resource conflicts, regulatory and legislative changes.
NCBA Cattle Health & Well Being Committee
9:00 am - 3:00 pm * Silver Room
Chuck Massengill, Chair; Ernie Morales, Vice Chair
The Cattle Health and Well Being Committee will be discussing current and future foreign animal disease research, including Plum Island and plans for the National Bio- and Agro- Defense Facility. Additional topics will be domestic and international animal welfare issues. An update on APHIS issues is also planned.
NCBA Tax & Credit Committee
11:30 am – 12:30 pm * Director’s Row I
Arthur Uhl, Chair; Dave McCracken, Vice Chair
NCBA staff will brief the committee on the latest tax policy developments in Congress. Committee members will have the opportunity to evaluate this information as it relates to their profitability, and devise new policy recommendations based on that assessment. Join the committee as they work towards reducing the tax burden on America’s cattlemen.
NCBA Live Cattle Marketing Committee
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm * Governor’s Square 14
Jeff Sparrowk, Chair; Paul Coman, Co-Vice Chair; Jamie Willrett, Co-Vice Chair
The committee will be evaluating the new opportunities and challenges associated with the factors affecting today's marketplace. Key points of discussion will include a review of the new Farm Bill as well as a report from the CME Fed Cattle Contract Working Group.
Joint Producer Communications Committee
10:30 am – 4:30 pm * Windows Room
Richard Nielson, Chair; Chuck Adami, Vice Chair
This joint committee will review the latest producer attitude research about the Beef Checkoff Program and will listen to proposals for Fiscal Year 2009 checkoff-funded producer communications efforts. The programs considered by this committee are aimed at informing beef and dairy producers and importers who pay the checkoff about the results of their checkoff investment. Among tactics up for review are paid media, trade media, direct communications, dairy producer communications, importer communications, and the Beefmobile. All producers are welcome to attend.