| ACE 2024 offered Big Ideas and adventures that allowed attendees to take their communication to the next level. The 2024 conference theme, BIG IDEAS, captured the spirit of innovation and growth that defines agricultural and natural resources communication. The conference equipped attendees with the tools and strategies needed to thrive. Special guests included keynote speaker Emilie Hitch, Hermance speakers Kevin Kent and Tobin Redwine, and the Reuben Brigham Awardee Matthew Hargreaves. Many ACE members were recognized for their hard work and dedication to ACE, including this year’s ACE Fellow Jeff Miller; ACE Rising Stars Jens-Kristian Kiel, Ricardo Vela and Cassie Ann Kiggen; and ACE Learning Community Award of Excellence Winners Lori Greiner, Kara Bonsack, Garrett Steede, Faith Peppers, Linda Benedict and Becky Koch. Read more about each of them on our Honor Award Winner page. Critique and Award winners also were recognized. See C&A winners for the list and links to winning entries. Also at this conference, a group of ACE retirees led focus groups for an ACE Review to gather ideas for ACE’s future. This conference was more than just a platform for learning. It was a chance to connect with a vibrant community of passionate communicators |
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Keynote Speaker - Emilie Hitch SVP | Strategy | broadhead Emilies shared examples of culture shifts – how the interconnectedness of human systems changes. Culture itself includes religion, the economy, politics and kinship or connections. We can have culture shifts by exploring possible future or alternatives. Especially during the pandemic, broadhead studied culture shifts. See https://broadheadco.com/culture-shifts/ and https://broadheadco.com/news/covid-19-and-culture-change-in-motion/. Abundance and scarcity may affect culture shifts, but they may be perceived rather than actual. Historically culture shifts usually happened because of innovation, but more recently changes have been based on consumer demand. We trust others in groups to which we belong. When we’re not in control, we retreat to our inner circle. Empathy is focusing on them, not us. | Hermance Speakers - Kevin Kent Creative Director, Vivayic and Toby Redwine Learning Analyst Functional Leader, Vivayic After kicking off their presentation with a singalong, including personalized songs and guitar accompaniment, Tobin and Kevin shared ideas of what connects us. We’re all “agenda movers” – people who see problems and engage to solve them or people someone asks to help make something happen. Don’t do things the way someone else would do them; do them like you. Our personal, purposeful and professional agendas should overlap. Together they provide motivation. If one is low, we’re stressed or unmotivated. They influence each other and are influenced by each other. Alignment of the three leads to big impact and agendas moved. If you’re an agenda setter, thank the agenda movers. Maximizing alignment also helps us be agenda influencers. To develop clarity on projects, write in quadrants the problem, people involved, approach and success measures.
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Chairs Lauri M. Baker University of Florida Ashley McLeod Morin - UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education | Committee Kelsey Armstrong Elon University Kelsey Hall Utah State University Audrey King Oklahoma State University Kevin Kent Vivayic Tunyalee A. Martin Statewide IPM Program, University of California John Martins National Institute of Food and Agriculture | Ex-officio & Liaisons LaRachelle Smith ACE President Tobie Blanchard ACE Vice President Ruth Borger ACE Development Director Jeff Miller ACE Treasurer Lori Gula ACE Professional Development Director |