April 1, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Crystal Albers, assistant director of communications/web editor, at 816-383-5100 or calbers@angus.org; or

Robin Ruff, Activities director, at 816-383-5100 or rruff@angus.org

LEAD Conference to Take Place in St. Louis

Early registration for the annual youth leadership conference ends June 15.

Youth from across the country will travel to Saint Louis, Mo., for the National Junior Angus AssociationÕs (NJAAÕs) annual Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference, Aug. 4-7.

Themed ÒMeat Me in St. Louie,Ó the leadership event is sponsored by the Angus Foundation and is designed for members, ages 14-21.

ÒLEAD is one of our most popular events during the year, and for a good reason,Ó says Robin Ruff, American Angus Association^¨ director of junior activities. ÒItÕs a chance for Angus juniors to network while developing leadership potential and an awareness of issues facing the beef industry.Ó

Angus juniors will attend leadership workshops presented by the NJAA Board as well as a keynote address from professional speaker and best-selling author Justin Lookadoo of McKinney, Texas. Kevin Ochsner, an agricultural speaker and host of ÒCattlemen to Cattlemen,Ó and team-building facilitator Crystal Warnock will also speak to attendees.

An extensive tour will include area Angus operations and the Purina Research Farm as well as area attractions such as the Gateway Arch, where juniors will have the opportunity to ride to the top of the St. Louis skyline.

Attendees will also visit CardinalÕs Stadium, home to Major League BaseballÕs Saint Louis Cardinals. There, attendees will tour the dugout and dine in the Champions Club. A stop at the City Museum features a unique funhouse housed in the 600,000-square-foot (ft.) architectural marvel.

Conference space is limited, and early registration is encouraged by the June 15 deadline. The early registration fee for NJAA members is $200.

After June 15, registration will be $225 and accepted based upon space availability. Registration for adults, state advisors and chaperones is $250; no early registration deadline applies. 

Registration is available online at www.angus.org/njaa. For more information, contact the junior activities department at 816-383-5100. 

LEAD is funded in part by the Angus Foundation and is a program of the NJAA, which provides programs for nearly 7,000 members across the nation.

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2011 Leaders Engaged in Angus Development Conference

St. Louis, Mo.

ÒMeat Me in St. LouieÓ

Thursday, August 4

  2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.            Registration

  3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.            Ice Breakers – at the Chesterfield Club

  5:00 p.m.                               Welcome & Introductions by Danielle Foster

  5:15 p.m.                               Retiring Thoughts – Jaclyn Upperman

  5:30 p.m.                               Dinner

  6:15 p.m.                               ÒItÕs Your BidÓ - Kevin Ochsner

  7:00 p.m.                               Retiring Thoughts – Danielle Foster

  7:15 p.m.                               Justin Lookadoo

  8:30 p.m.                               Team Building Activity

  9:00 p.m.                               NJAA Board Skit

 11:00 p.m.                              In Room Curfew

  7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.             Breakfast

  7:45 a.m.                               Retiring Thoughts – Jennifer Ann Smith       

  8:00 a.m.                               Purina Research Farm

  1:00 p.m.                               Depart             for Mexico, Mo.

Sydenstricker Genetics

  8:00 p.m.                               Retiring Thoughts – Clinton Laflin

 8:30 p.m.                                Depart for St. Louis

11:00 p.m.                               In Room Curfew

  7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.             Breakfast

  7:45 a.m.                               Retiring Thoughts – Cody Smith

  8:30 a.m.                               Arrive at Arch

  9:40 – 11:00 a.m.                  Trips to the top

 11:45 a.m.                              Depart for Busch Stadium

 12:00 noon                             Lunch at Champions Club

 1:00 p.m.                                Tours of Busch Stadium

 3:00 p.m.                                Depart for City Museum

 3:30 p.m.                                City Museum

 6:30 p.m.                                Depart for Doubletree

 7:30 p.m.                                Dinner

 8:15 p.m.                                Team building Facilitator - Crystal Warnock

 9:15 – 11:30 p.m.                   Dance/Games 

12:00 midnight                        In Room Curfew

  7:00 a.m.                               Breakfast

  7:30 a.m.                               Devotional

  7:45 a.m.                               Retiring Thoughts – Britney Creamer

  8:00 a.m. – 11 a.m.                Workshops

 11:00 a.m.                              Wrap Up and Depart