Registration Deadline Approaching for 2005 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show

DENVER (Jan. 5, 2005) – For cattle producers and others attending the 2005 Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, early registration ends Friday, Jan. 7.  For those missing Friday’s deadline, on-site registration will resume at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Events will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, from Wednesday, Feb. 2 to Saturday, Feb. 5. The theme for the Convention and Trade Show is “Riding Point for the Industry.”

More than 6,000 cattle industry participants are expected at the annual Convention and Trade Show, which will be hosted again by five organizations: the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board, American National CattleWomen, Inc., National Cattlemen’s Foundation and Cattle-Fax.

Cattlemen's College®, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, leads off the educational offerings of Convention on Wednesday morning, Feb. 2. Classes in the areas of marketing, resource management and production will enable participants to customize a full day of education to their specific needs. Wednesday afternoon will bring the Cattle-Fax Outlook Seminar, sponsored by Purina Mills, LLC and Pfizer Animal Health, which will offer a look ahead at cattle markets. It's free to Cattlemen's College® registrants and to Cattle-Fax members.

Critical policy issues will be discussed throughout the Convention, with international trade policy, BSE testing and regulatory policy, animal I.D., environmental issues and tax policy certain to be at the forefront. The Convention is a key opportunity for NCBA members to influence and determine the organization’s policy direction in coming months, in both the legislative and regulatory arenas.

“It’s really important for members to come to San Antonio and participate, because NCBA has a process where every member’s opinion and vote does count,” said Jim McAdams, a Texas cattle rancher and NCBA president-elect. “We’re going to make some crucial decisions on many issues, and we need input from everyone.”

New product research and development, nutrition, demand trends and marketing techniques are among other important issues featured at the Convention and Trade Show.

The NCBA Trade Show opens with a Welcome Reception on Wednesday, Feb. 2 and continues through Saturday, Feb. 5. Over 250 vendors and exhibitors are expected for this year’s Trade Show.

Chris Wallace of Fox News Sunday will be the keynote speaker at the Opening General Session on Thursday, Feb. 3. Evening events will also feature a world-class entertainment lineup. Legendary country musician and poet Red Steagell will highlight Wednesday’s Welcome Reception. Country music star Mark Chesnutt will be featured at Thursday’s NCBA-PAC Rodeo and Concert. Saturday’s Grand Finale “Ranch Dance” offers two of the most popular acts in country music today – Michael Martin Murphey and Asleep at the Wheel.     

For more information about the 2005 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in San Antonio, please contact the Convention Department at 303-694-0305 or go online at www.Convention.BeefUSA.org.

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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is the largest organization representing America’s cattle industry. Initiated in 1898, NCBA is the industry leader in education, influencing public policy to improve producer profitability and in preserving the industry’s heritage and future. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.