CHAMPAIGN – As they enter the job market, today’s meat and poultry students face new challenges – especially on how to effectively communicate the critical role the meat and poultry industry plays in the daily lives of Americans. On April 12, prior to the 2011 AMI Convention and Exposition in Chicago, the American Meat Science Association Student Membership is offering a leadership conference designed to equip participants with the techniques needed to positively promote the meat and poultry industry to the public. It will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

The AMSA Student Leadership Conference “Mobilizing the Industry’s Future to Develop Soft Skills in Working with Current and Future Issues”, co-sponsored by the AMSA Student Membership, AMSA Educational Foundation and the American Meat Institute, will bring together student and young professional members to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced in today’s industry and how to overcome these.


Keynote speaker Dr. J. Scott Vernon, professor at California Polytechnic State University, will lead this program. He is also the owner of Vernon Communications and the founder of "I Love Farmers...They Feed My Soul." Vernon is considered one of the nation’s leading agriculture advocates. The leadership conference will also feature industry experts who will share tips and their experience on how they promote the meat and poultry industry.

All AMSA student and young professional members interested in learning more about the meat and poultry industry and networking opportunities are welcome to attend.

“Attending the AMSA student leadership conference in 2009 was an amazing experience,” said Shanna Ward, Texas Tech University. “At that time, I was new to attending meat science conferences and didn't know many of the people. It was at that conference that I made the friends and industry contacts that I rely on today.”

Networking is an added benefit of attending the leadership conference. Ryan Murphy of Colorado State University added "the biggest benefit I drew from the leadership conference was the chance to interact with an incredibly diverse range of the meat industry, even including some individuals who I may not have met through RMC."

Additional information on the program, registration and lodging can be found byclicking here. Early registration discount ends on March 15 and the deadline to book a hotel is March 11.

Anyone interested in more information or sponsoring the AMSA Student Leadership Conference should contact Deidrea Mabry at (800) 517-2672.