Trade Talk, the centerpiece event of each NAFB Convention, connects the agriculture industry with member broadcasters to discuss issues and topics important to their organizations, associations and companies. More than 100 broadcasters circulate among participants during the 6.5 hour event.
 
American Sugar Alliance representative Phillip Hayes said that American Sugar Alliance has attended Trade Talk every year. 
 
“We come because we get to see old friends, keep informed on what’s going on in Washington, and sit down and exchange ideas with allies,” said Hayes. 
 
Hayes said that NAFB is how sugar producers get their news. He also said that all agricultural industries are ultimately supporting the same cause. 
 
“We are stronger together than apart,” said Hayes. 
 
Dow AgroSciences attends Trade Talk because it is an opportunity to talk to their consumers across the nation, make connections, and continue to have a presence in agricultural themed settings. 
 
“All of the trade media is in one spot,” said Chris Byus, US product manager at Dow AgroSciences. “We want to see what is on the forefront of agriculture.” 
 
NAFB Trade Talk provides a way for messages to be shared from all aspects of the industry said Dow representative. 
 
Agricultural organizations aren’t the only one’s attending the Trade Talk. Sam Knipp of American Farmers and Ranchers said that he has been coming for 40 years. 
 
“I joined NAFB in 1976 when I first got involved with broadcasting,” Knipp said. “Seeing old friends and making new ones is an add-on to Trade Talk.”
 
Knipp said that anybody that has anything to do with agriculture is at Trade Talk. 
 
“It brings agriculture together in one spot. Everybody is here,” said Knipp. 

Blog post by 2016 NAFB Social Media Corps member Leann Fox, an agricultural communications and journalism major at Utah State University. The 2016 NAFB Social Media Corps is sponsored by Farm Credit.