Everything you need to know before traveling to 2014 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville
The 2014 Cattle Industry Convention held February 3-7 at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee (location information), is expected to be the largest ever with over 5,700 preregistered attendees. With everything that is packed into the schedule, it is important to be aware of events taking place before you travel to Nashville.
All the information you will need for preparation and events information is listed online (full schedule here). Be sure to download the 2014 Cattle Industry Convention mobile application for all your information on the go. Just search for “CIC2014” in the app stores. The official hashtag to keep track of CIC on all social media platforms is #BeefMeet. Be sure to mention MSGA on Twitter (@MTStockgrowers) and Facebook.
Here are the highlights from the agenda for the 2014 Cattle Industry Convention:
Delta B will be the hub for everything you need at convention – Registration, Information, Nashville Tourism and Restaurant Guides, charging stations and technology center. There will be Wi-Fi available in all meeting locations.
Registration is still available online (On-Site opens at 6:00 a.m. daily). Kiosks will be available for check-in for all preregistrations. There will be no hard-copy materials for registration – the bar code on your name badge is the key to all events and information. There will be a ribbon bar where you will need to pick up all identifying ribbons for events during convention. These will not be included in your registration materials.
For Montanans at CIC, be sure to attend the Montana Stockgrowers Social on Wednesday night, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., in Cheekwood G/H. DuPont sponsors the event. Also, catch Northern Ag Network’s Russell Nemetz on Thursday morning as he emcees the Best of Beef Breakfast at 7:00 a.m. in the Presidential Ballroom. The Padlock Ranch, Montana and Regional Environmental Stewardship Award winner, will recognized at different events throughout CIC and is up for the National award.
The Cattlemen’s College takes place on Monday night and Tuesday starting at 7:00 a.m. with 19 presentation available for hands-on and classroom experiences. Highlighting these will be McDonald’s Vice President, Bob Langert, discussing the “Global Sustainability of Beef.”
The Trade Show is SOLD OUT with over 300 vendors and 5.7 acres of exhibition space. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Montana Stockgrowers Association crew in Booth #1815. Stop by and visit us as we bring a little piece on Montana to the Show. Trade Show hours are Tuesday (5:00 – 8:00 p.m.), Wednesday and Thursday (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.). Blue and Gold will take over the Trade Show on Thursday as FFA youth will be invited to attend.
Opening General Session takes place at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday featuring Capitan Richard Phillips and the Peterson Farm Brothers. General Session II will feature Archie Manning’s discussion on leadership and hopefully the proud dad of a super bowl championship.
On Wednesday beginning at 8:00 a.m., the CattleFax seminar takes place. Unlike previous years, this Outlook seminar is now open to all CIC registrants without a separate ticket. Following the CattleFax seminar will be a discussion on the Architecture of Consumer Demand. The panel discussion will consist of perspectives from a food blogger, chef, the distribution chain and Wendy’s. The topic will center around “reaction to a recent industry scan on consumer buying trends for beef.”
Entertainment will be alive and well again this year at CIC as only Nashville and do. On Wednesday night, the Viva Nashvegas party takes place with live entertainment in the Opryland Events Center. Thursday night, Cattlemen and women will take over the Opryland for an exclusive show from Diamond Rio, John Conlee, Sarah Darling, and more. Cowboy’s Night at the Opry will be followed by the Red Solo Cup After-Party in the Gaylord Opryland.
For Young Producers at CIC, there will be a YPC Social on Tuesday from 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. and the YPC meeting takes place on Wednesday from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Collegiate events include a Roundtable discussion and Career Fair on Thursday. American National Cattlewomen meetings start on Monday at 8:00 a.m. and continue throughout the week.
Business and Policy meetings and discussion takes place at CIC on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The Region V Caucus meeting takes place on Wednesday from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. in Ryman Ballroom A/B/D/E. Friday morning the Joint CBB & NCBA Federation Board of Directors, Cattlemen’s Beef Board, and NCBA Board of Directors meetings start at 7:30. a.m.
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The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit membership organization, has worked on behalf of Montana’s cattle ranching families since 1884. Our mission is to protect and enhance Montana ranch families’ ability to grow and deliver safe, healthy, environmentally wholesome beef to the world.