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ACE Update – April 2016

Message from the President
Rejoin ACE Today!
Register Now for Memphis
Peabody Hotel Vanilla Muffins
ACE 2017: Fresh Ideas Welcome
ACE 2018: Possible Partnership With Ag Media Summit
ACE 1973: Joe Marks, Don Poucher and Jim Evans

Message From The President: 

My first exposure to ACE was at a Western Region meeting in Portland, Oregon. It was within driving distance for most attending, so institutional turnout was good. It was eye-opening to learn that people in adjoining states were doing similar work, with similar subject matter, and had similar challenges in their day-to-day work responsibilities. It was a close group of fun, creative people, and a great experience. I had found my tribe!

Over time, I learned that this was more than an association or professional organization. ACE was a community of communicators with a broad range of specialized skills, offering year-round professional development and networking. ACE offered opportunities to develop new skills and recognize emerging trends in communications and media technologies; Opportunities to be recognized for excellent work and celebrate achievement. It offered chances to present and share new techniques and experiences as well as collaborate with peers on a national and international scale. And ACE offered opportunities to take on leadership roles to help guide the direction of this diverse, ever-adapting organization. This is still true today.

As #ACEMemphis grows closer, I look forward to this year's conference. It offers a broad program with specialized learning opportunities in every area of communication expertise. But mostly I look forward to the ACE community coming together. It’s invigorating to be around other creative, talented professionals.

If you haven’t yet registered, check the conference program schedule and see what you could be missing. I look forward to seeing everyone at #ACEMemphis!

Brad Beckman, ACE President

Have You Rejoined ACE? Do It Today!

The ACE Membership Committee and members of the ACE Board of Directors are taking to the phones this month to contact members who have not rejoined. Beat them to the punch and rejoin today!

Register now for 2016 ACE Conference in Memphis

Early registration fees end May 20; Peabody Hotel reservations must be made by May 17 for conference pricing.

Great keynote speakers, breakout sessions and Beale Street await you in Memphis this June at the ACE Annual Conference, June 12-17. Check out the full schedule and register today on the conference website. Don't miss the ducks at the Peabody Hotel, our conference home.

Full conference registration includes:
Opening reception on June 13 - Continental breakfasts on June 14 and 15 - Breakfast on June 16 - Lunches on June 14 and June 15 - Shelby Farms fACEes and plACEs evening event on June 15 (dinner and transportation)

Single-day registration includes conference meals for the day of participation.

 Registration Type  By May 20, 2016   After May 20, 2016
 ACE Member   $575  $635
 Nonmember  $695  $755
 Nonmember (includes 2016 membership)   $695  $755
 Retiree   $475  $535
 Student   $475  $535
 June 14 only  $250  $310
 June 15 only  $265  $325
 June 16 only   $135  $195

Can't Wait for Memphis? Try These Peabody Muffins Now

Southerners love a little something sweet for breakfast—danish, kolaches, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, toasted pound cake, or, in a pinch, leftover birthday cake.

The Peabody Hotel, throughout its history, has offered the best of Southern cuisine, and their legendary, much-loved vanilla muffins are a simple, elegant answer for the need for a touch of something sweet. If you can’t wait until you get to Memphis, you can make these at home!

The Peabody Hotel’s Vanilla Muffins
1 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups self-rising flour (White Lily, recommended)
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour your muffin tins and set aside.

In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the flour and sugar. In a separate bowl, stir together the milk, egg, and vanilla. Add the melted butter and stir until all of the ingredients are blended.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour the milk mixture into the well, and stir by hand just until all the ingredients are blended.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins. Fill each cup about half-full.Bake for 15 minutes for mini-muffins or 18 to 20 minutes for full-size muffins. Makes 30-36 mini-muffins or 12 full-size muffins. - Elizabeth Gregory North

ACE 2017: Fresh Ideas Welcome

As you read last month, the ACE 2017 conference committee is busy planning an engaging and inspiring conference—full of new ideas for renewing and refreshing your work, your skills, and your professional connections.

We are early in the process, and we welcome your ideas and participation. Please let us know if you are interested in serving on or sharing ideas with one of our subcommittees (especially speakers or professional development/scheduling).

Also, thank you for completing the community service interest survey last month. Your feedback will be helpful as we plan for tours and other special events. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with questions or ideas for the ACE 2017 Program Committee. - Jennifer Alexander and Tobie Blanchard

ACE 2018: Possible Partnership With Ag Media Summit

In annual conference evaluations, ACE members have requested more "outside voices" to present professional development breakout sessions. To that end, and for other benefits, we are considering a joint annual conference with the Ag Media Summit (AMS) in 2018.

AMS brings together the American Agricultural Editors Association, the Livestock Publications Council and the American Business Media Agri Media Council each year for professional development. The agricultural media organizations offer breakout sessions of high interest for ACE members, and ACE members could provide expertise in areas of interest to AMS attendees. Among the benefits of a partnership:

• Reduced registration and hotel expenses ($385 and $155 this year)
• More professional development sessions led by people outside of ACE
• Connection with students in Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow
• Networking opportunities with agricultural media

ACE members would still be able to present at breakout sessions, but probably would not have as many opportunities as in an ACE-only year. In addition, the conference would take place in July 2018, likely placing it in the same fiscal year as the 2019 annual conference (since ACE typically offers its annual conference in June). The location has not been chosen.

Discussions are still underway, and I’d like to hear your thoughts on the idea. Please send your ideas to steel.7@osu.edu. - Suzanne Steel

ACE 1973: Joe Marks, Don Poucher and Jim Evans

Brad Schneller, life member from Ontario, shared a collection of photos from the 1973 AAACE (former name for ACE) Conference in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, with ACE Retirees. Jack Harrison and Daryl Marriette of the Information Branch of the Ontario Department of Agriculture took the photos of an era gone by. We share just a few here.

Pioneer Award winners Dennis Gofrey, West Virgina; Michael Sampson, Washington; Don Poucher, Florida; and David Warren, Washington, D.C.

Lowell Bradner, Kansas; Joe Marks, Missouri; and Leon McGraw, Alabama.

Jim Evans, Illinois; Jay Vroom, Agricultural Communicator of Tomorrow, Illinois; and Howell Hughes, not sure where from.

Newsletter editor: Suzanne Steel. Send submissions, upcoming webinars and ideas to steel.7@osu.edu. Contributors this issue: Brad Beckman, Elizabeth Gregory North, Bob Furbee, Jennifer Alexander, Tobie Blanchard.

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