Beef Industry Conference

[ALICIA]

Tried this topic a while back with no response. How many of you are considering attending the Beef Industry Conference in Red Deer in mid February? ABP is involved this year. Last year for some reason they opted not to join the other organizations at the first such conference.
Last year there was lots of opportunity for delegates to ask questions of the various groups during the Q and A sessions.

[pandiana]

It is my understanding that the registration for this conference is around the $300 . This seems rather expensive if they want to get out the grassroots producers, especially at calving.

Maybe it is directed to backgrounders, feeders, cattle sellers and academics?

[wd40]

Expensive - that's an undersstatment the booths are $1300.

[wd40]

The booth costs may seem costly but remember, at this conference anyone with a booth has the opportunity to market to a huge group of industry representatives. A booth at conferences of just one industry organization likely costs at least half of what it costs to have a booth at this one where the representatives of:
ABP; ACFA; Western Stockgrowers; Auction Markets Assoc. and the Order Buyers are all involved in the same conference.
The main benefit of the Beef Conference is the ability to attend each organizations meeting and also question the leaders of each group during the Bear Pit sessions. Plus being able to 'corner' some of the folks and ask them questions one on one.
Registration costs are likely comparable to any large conference.

[cowman]

I suppose it all depends on who is paying the registration fee? If it is out of your own pocket...it might be a little high? However if the taxpayer is footing your bill then it is just peachy? The point here is these "conferences" are mostly just a chance to smooze and get some free booze and beef! I doubt anything really profound ever comes out of them...probably a cheap web site would work just as well?

[cowman]

The opportunity to pin down delegates from various organizations and ask pertinent questions may be worth the registration fee. I am sure they have a daily fee as well.