Introduction

1. Introduction Planning the SASES Regional Meetings is not only an opportunity to demonstrate what a particular University and State contributes agriculturally, but it helps develop teamwork, organization, and compromise among the hosting group. SASES Regional Meetings offer potential for networking between students and industry as well as personal and educational growth. From planning to attending, each aspect of the SASES Regional Meetings provides a multitude of learning experiences. Committees • Delegating responsibilities in an organized manner: • Each committee was chaired by a club member who directed other members in the completion of their respective committee’s tasks. • This format allowed for relationship building among the member s of the club. It also fostered teamwork, commitment, and leadership. Sponsors Financing is critical when planning SASES Regional Meetings, from developing the budget to contacting sponsors . • Contact companies in our area • Keep communication between the club and company open • Consider amount companies are able and willing to donate • Offer compensation for their donation • Advertisements • Free booth at the Career Fair • Potential tour to their business • Determine timeline for receiving pledges and actual donations • Provide a plethora of ways to make donations • Sponsoring an event • Providing door prizes • Manage how their contribution would be used • Thank the companies for their generous contributions Registration • Registration is a key factor, taken into consideration was: • School • Student Information • Tour Options • T-Shirt size • Cost per Individual • Date for opening and closing registration • Keeping registration organized, maintaining records of who and when people registered and making that information available for check-in at the beginning of the meetings was important. ”Congratulations to you and the organizers of the SASES Regionals. It was the most enjoyable, educational, fun meeting I ever attended. Every aspect of the meeting (the food, the tours, the job/career/fair...) was incredibly organized and simply BEAUTIFULLY done. It will be difficult if not impossible to repeat such highly organized meeting! Thank you for having us! BRAVO to all!Cheers to the Agronomy Club members!Ozzie and The VA Tech Agronomy Club!”

2. Hosting2010 SASES Regionals Growing Students, Community Relations and Knowledge in the Field of AgronomyPurdue University Agronomy Club Autumn Skillington, Blake Stowers & Samantha Downey • Tour committee members selected sites from four regions within driving distance of Purdue. Sites were chosen to expose students to a wide variety of Indiana agriculture. • Some of our tour stops included: • An early bird tour, led by our students, highlighted the Purdue Agronomy and Animal Science Farms and the Turf and Football Complex. Agenda • Determine list of events with approximate times, dates, and location • Check with tours, speakers, and facilities that the dates and times will work in their schedule • Note what events could be moved and altered easily in case of unforeseen changes Tours Aquaculture Farm Beck’s Hybrids Victory Field National FFA Limestone Quarry Fair Oaks Dairy Advertisement • Advertisement for the spring 2010 regional SASES Regional Meeting began in January. • Forms of advertisement included: • T-Shirt • E-mails to SASES members • Phoning agronomy club advisors • Create webpage for registration and information • Brochures were made to inform prospective sponsors and hosts of our event.

3. Food • Meals were decided upon using these criteria: • Balanced meals • Vegetarian option • Cost • Time of preparation • Comparing catering businesses • Location of meal • Both outside groups and agronomy club members assisted with all aspects of meals. Accommodations • Selecting the hotel was a critical process. • Things to consider included: • Accessibility and proximity to meeting sites • Cost • Availability • Capability and size to host events • We reserved the Beck Agricultural center to use as our base site for many activities. • The social committee coordinated social events and speakers. • Factors considered for our Friday and Saturday night activities were: • Size of Venue • Inclusive Activities • Social Atmosphere • Events that would Excite Attendees Socials & Speakers From Left to Right: Students bowling Enjoying dancing Our keynote speaker, Dr. Tom Turpin Career Fair • Several weeks in advance of our meetings, sponsors were contacted to see if they would be attending the career fair on Friday evening. • A layout of the booths was created to give companies ample space. Companies were also strategically placed to keep them away from competitors. • This was a great opportunity for our sponsoring companies to interact withstudents and was very well attended by the participating schools. “Planning the SASES Regional Meetings was an educational and rewarding experience, and we are all looking forward to the 2011 meetings in River Falls.” -Purdue Agronomy Club