98th Annual Convention Phoenix, AZ January 6-11, 2017 The American Farm Bureau Federation is the nation's largest general farm organization with over 6 million member families in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The Annual Convention is an opportunity for members across the nation to come together for educational and networking opportunities. During this meeting our delegates will adopt policies for the coming year and elect leadership to guide these policies forward. American Farm Bureau Federation
2017 Phoenix, AZ Convention Hotel You will be staying with the Michigan delegation at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel. The address is: 100 N. 1st Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Hotel space is limited. The Renaissance Downtown Hotel is centrally located near downtown attractions including the Talking Stick Resort Arena (home of the Phoenix Suns), Chase Field (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks), and the Heard Museum. The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is just five miles away. The cost is $202 per room per night, plus 13.5% ($27.27) taxes. To reserve a room, please contact your local County Farm Bureau office. AFBF Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast The Foundation for Agriculture is hosting a pancake breakfast on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 7:45 a.m. at the Convention Center. This event benefits p r o g r a m s t h a t educate teachers, students and the non-farm public about agriculture. AFBF Leadership Luncheon The Leadership Luncheon is on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at the Convention Center. Matt Lohr will be speaking on how volunteers can grow in Farm Bureau. All participants of the AFBF Convention are invited to attend. Tickets are $45 per person Tickets are $36 per person Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the Book of the Year. 2
2017 Phoenix, AZ Michigan Dinner Event Date: Sunday, January 8, 2017 Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Location: Rustler's Rooste (20 minute bus ride from hotel) Cost: $54 per person (includes dinner) $27 per child (17 and under) You won't want to miss this opportunity to enjoy some great food and visit with other Farm Bureau members from Michigan. Dinner cost includes bus ride. MFB Staff will give an update on membership, YF contestants, and other organizational activities. Please order tickets through your local County Farm Bureau office. AFBF Foundation s Night Out Event Monday, January 9, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at the Convention Center $65 per ticket, which includes: A live performance by the "Texas Tenors" Live benefit auction Dessert and cash bar (no meal) Dance the night away with music by DJ Splyce. Tickets sell out quickly, so please order in advance. 3
2017 Phoenix, AZ AFBF Agricultural Tours Arizona Farm Bureau is offering several agricultural tours during the 2017 AFBF Annual Convention in Phoenix. Tours will be offered on both Saturday, January 7th and Tuesday, January 10th. See attached PDF for tours offered. Costs range from $80-120 per ticket, and county Farm Bureaus will be invoiced after the event. Please note that a paid AFBF Registration ($100) is required to sign-up for tours. To register for the agricultural tours, please contact your county Farm Bureau office. Reservations To make your reservation for the Michigan Dinner Event ($54), AFBF Registration fee ($100), AFBF breakfast ($36), AFBF Leadership Luncheon ($45), AFBF Foundation Night Out ($65), and tours ($80-120), please contact your local county Farm Bureau by December 1, 2016 for hotel and event registration. Your hotel reservation will be made at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel. County Farm Bureaus will be invoiced for hotel, tours and meals after the convention. Space is limited, so please make your reservations as soon as possible. Convention Registration Fee The registration fee is $100 per person. Children 17 and under are free. The fee includes Annual Meeting registration and admission to: * AFBF IDEAg Tradeshow * Opening & Closing General Sessions * Young Farmer & Rancher Events * Keynote Speakers * Educational & Informational Seminars 4
2017 Phoenix, AZ Airfare For best flight options to Phoenix, contact your local travel agent, airline or internet websites. Don't wait until the last minute to book! Airlines are still reducing capacity so lower cost seats go fast. Most airline tickets are non-refundable and changes after purchase will incur a penalty, plus the difference in the fare if applicable. Please be sure to ask about cancellation and change policies when making your travel arrangements. In addition, please note that most airlines charge $25-$35 for all checked bags. Airport Transportation The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is only 5 miles from the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center. Taxi fares from the airport are about $20 one way. Shuttle vans and buses operated by private companies are also available. Rates average about $14 one way. Phoenix Quick Facts: Weather: Average temperatures for Phoenix in January are a low of 46 and high of 67 degrees. Phoenix has an average annual rainfall of 8.04 inches. The sun shines on Phoenix 85 percent of its daylight hours. Phoenix is the United States sixth-largest city with a population of over 1.6 million. Phoenix's elevation is 1,117 feet. Greater Phoenix (which includes, among others, the cities of Chandler, Glendale, Scottsdale and Tempe) has a population of nearly 4.5 million and covers 2,000 square miles. Greater Phoenix is located in the Sonoran Desert, which is one of the wettest and greenest deserts in North America, thanks to 3-15 inches of annual rainfall. Greater Phoenix is home to more than 200 golf courses. There are six lakes within a 75-minute drive of Phoenix. Further Information For further information, contact Ann Marie Spitzley Michigan Farm Bureau at 517-679-5348 amspitzl@michfb.com 5
TENTATIVE AGENDA 98 th AFBF Annual Convention January 6 11, 2017 Phoenix, AZ Friday, January 6, 2017 7:00 a.m. Convention Registration 9:00 a.m. Farm Bureau Gives Back AFBF and State Farm Bureau Staff 4:00 p.m. State Presidents Dinner YF&R Competitor Networking Reception Saturday, January 7, 2017 6:30 a.m. Convention Registration 7:00 a.m. 5K Family Fun Run/Walk Shotgun Start 8:00 a.m. YF&R Achievement Award Learning Session YF&R Excellence in Ag Competitor Orientation Women s Leadership Networking and Regional Caucuses 8:45 a.m. Ag Tours 9:00 a.m. Foundation Golf Classic Shotgun Start YF&R Excellence in Ag Presentations YF&R Discussion Meet Competitor & Judges Orientation 10:30 a.m. Annual Meeting of the American Farm Bureau Women 11:00 a.m. YF&R Discussion Meet Round 1 1:00 p.m. Communicate, Collaborate & Influence (CCI) YF&R Excellence in Ag Presentations 2:30 p.m. YF&R Discussion Meet Round 2 4:00 p.m. Celebration of Grassroots Reception - IDEAg Trade Show YF&R Discussion Meet Sweet 16 & Achievement Award Top 10 Wednesday, June 01, 2016 *Subject to Change
Sunday, January 8, 2017 6:30 a.m. Convention Registration 7:00 a.m. Sunrise Service 7:45 a.m. Foundation Flapjack Fundraiser (ticketed event, all welcome) 9:30 a.m. Opening General Session 10:45 a.m. IDEAg Trade Show Opens YF&R Achievement Award Interviews 11:00 a.m. Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge 12:00 p.m. Leadership Luncheon (ticketed event, all welcome) 1:15 p.m. Featured Workshop(s) YF&R Discussion Meet Sweet 16 2:30 p.m. Concurrent Workshops 3:30 p.m. Concurrent Workshops 4:30 p.m. Town Hall IDEAg Trade Show YF&R Discussion Meet Final 4 & Excellence in Ag Top 10 5:30 p.m. IDEAg Trade Show Closes 6:00 p.m. FB STARs (STaff Appreciation Reception) Monday, January 9, 2017 7:00 a.m. Convention Registration 8:00 a.m. Featured Workshop(s) 8:30 a.m. IDEAg Trade Show Opens 9:00 a.m. YF&R Discussion Meet Final 4 IDEAg Trade Show 9:15 a.m. Concurrent Workshops 10:15 a.m. Concurrent Workshops 11:15 a.m. Closing General Session 1:00 p.m. Taste of America IDEAg Trade Show 4:00 p.m. IDEAg Trade Show Closes 7:30 p.m. Foundation Night Out (ticketed event, all welcome) Wednesday, June 01, 2016 *Subject to Change
Tuesday, January 10, 2017 7:00 a.m. Post-convention Ag Tours 8:00 a.m. Voting Delegate Session Amendment Processing Spouses Event Invitation Only 12:00 p.m. Voting Delegate Luncheon 1:00 p.m. Regional Caucuses 2:00 p.m. Voting Delegate Session Wednesday January 11, 2017 7:00 a.m. AFBF Board of Directors Breakfast 8:00 a.m. AFBF Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday, June 01, 2016 *Subject to Change