Convention Keynote Speaker Encourages Members
to Create 'Breakthrough Opportunities'
Cattlemen enthusiastic, engaged as 2015 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show begins.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (Feb. 4, 2015) – Keynote speaker Erik Wahl encouraged cattlemen to "break outside of business as usual” to create new opportunities and become stronger through failure at the Opening General Session of the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. The convention, which opened in San Antonio, Texas, today will run through Saturday, Feb. 7.
The Opening General Session was sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmetica Inc. (BIVI).
Wahl’s unique presentation captivated the thousands of attendees, with the internationally recognized graffiti artist using paintings created onstage to help share his message of creativity through innovations and the ability to conquer fear. His entertaining presentation has been shared with some of the country’s largest and most influential companies during the past 10 years.
“How are you going to reignite your artistry as a cattle rancher?” Wahl asked the audience. “We were always taught to be risk averse. But you need to unlock your minds to find ways to go back on the offensive to build consumer trust and loyalty. You need to see the world through different eyes.
Wahl said cattlemen should “not be afraid to fail, not be afraid to risk.” He used on-stage paintings to demonstrate how he had created his own art and revealed breakthrough pockets of opportunity.
More than 7,000 cattlemen and women and industry partners are already registered for the convention and trade show, with more expected as the NCBA Trade Show gets started Wednesday evening. The Trade show will feature more than 360 exhibitors on about 6.6 acres of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center floor. It’s the largest cattle industry trade show in the country and the largest one ever staged by the industry.
Also making remarks at the opening general session were Bob McCan of Texas, NCBA President; Kim Brackett of Idaho, Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board Chairman; and Patti Buck of Colorado, president of the American National CattleWomen.
Singing the national anthem at the session was 11-year-old Mollie Beaver of Kansas, winner of the 2015 NCBA National Anthem Contest. Mollie will also sing the National Anthem at the Cowboy Comedy Club event Friday, Feb. 6, featuring comedian Jeff Foxworthy and musical guests Riders in the Sky. A “Mustache Bash After Party” following the event will feature the musical group Asleep at the Wheel.
A reception opening the NCBA Trade Show was hosted immediately following the general session. Meetings conducted by the NCBA Policy Division and Joint Beef Checkoff Committees will follow on Thursday, Feb. 5 and Friday, Feb. 6. The NCBA and the CBB will conduct meetings of their entire boards on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. This article was provided as a news release by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and may be redistributed without further permissions from the Angus Journal. For more information contact Chase Adams at 202-879-9125 or Shawna Newsome at 202-879-9138. The Angus Journal claims copyright to this website as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.