Robert Mensies and Brent Smith of Public Trustworks, an agri-food public trust consultancy, are slated to lead a workshop at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2023 Stakeholders Summit, set for May 4-5 in Arlington, Va. and themed “Partners in Progress: Building a Sustainable Future for Animal Ag.” Early registration discounts for the event are available through March 10. Register today!
Earning public trust is about doing the right thing, providing assurance and verification, and communicating these commitments. It also requires proper communications during crisis situations. In their 2023 Summit session, Mensies and Smith will assist attendees in developing and fine-tuning their own public trust communications strategy. Whether an attendee requires an agile 3-page stand-alone section in their existing marketing or communications strategy or an in-depth stand-alone strategy, this session will provide the direction and templated workbook that will help their organization be more strategic and proactive in their public trust communications efforts.
“Earning public trust is key to bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities and consumers, and it’s imperative we’re proactive about it by building our trust banks in advance of a crisis,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and CEO, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “Mensies and Smith have the knowledge and expertise to lead Summit attendees in crafting their own public trust communications strategy so they can start bridging the gap now before a crisis strikes.”
Mensies has fifteen years of experience in agri-food marketing and communications in Canada, helping to build public trust for provincial and national organizations within the value chain. He knows the good work agri-food workers do to provide healthy and affordable food for all, and relaying this to the public is his passion. In 2019, he co-authored the Public Trust Toolkit, a guide on public trust communications completed for the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. Mensies serves as Public Trustworks’ senior consultant and retains a role as 6P Marketing’s director of client strategy and agri-food business sector lead.
Smith’s extensive work history includes communications positions in marketing plans and brand strategy, within the areas of agri-food and environmental sustainability in Canada. He has worked with some of the country’s most proactive agriculture and food organizations, including Viterra, Richardson International, Manitoba Pork, IDE Canada, Conviron, Ducks Unlimited, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops. Today, he serves as director of strategic consulting and lead brand strategist at Public Trustworks, helping to bring quality, cost-effective strategic solutions to clients.
Summit attendees can secure a discounted hotel rate at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View by booking before April 11. All Summit events will be held at this hotel. Reserve your hotel room now. Be sure to check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA23 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about Summit, please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.
Get involved:
Photo Contest
Are you a farmer, rancher, dietitian, or ally of the animal agriculture community who would like a free registration to the 2023 Stakeholders Summit? Enter our photo contest! Share your favorite food or farming photo that you’ve taken for the chance to win. A professional print of your photo may even be sold to the highest bidder at our annual Silent Auction to benefit the College Aggies Online program! Full details are available here: https://animalagalliance.org/
Sponsorship
Show your support for the Alliance’s premier event by becoming an official Summit sponsor today! For 2023 sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://animalagalliance.org/
Thank you to our 2023 Summit sponsors: Farm Journal, MEAT + POULTRY, Meatingplace, National Pork Producers Council, Watt Global Media, American Feed Industry Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Board, Smithfield, United Soybean Board, Dairy MAX, Elanco, Farm Credit, Mountaire Farms, United Egg Producers, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Veal Association, Bayer Crop Science, Cal-Maine Foods, Cobb-Vantress, Inc., Kemin, National Chicken Council, Progressive Dairy, Protect the Harvest, Trans Ova Genetics, Vivayic, Agricultural Modeling and Training Systems, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Eggland’s Best, Live Oak Bank, North Carolina Farm Bureau, and Sustainable Environmental Consultants.
The Alliance also thanks the following members for their continued support of Summit and other Alliance programs: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Zoetis, Aviagen Group, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cargill, C.O.nxt, Dairy Farmers of America, Diamond V, Genus PLC – PIC/ABS, Hendrix Genetics, Hy-Line North America, LLC, Iowa Soybean Association, JBS, Kanas Soybean Commission, Merck Animal Health, Midwest Dairy, National Turkey Federation, Nutrien, Provimi North America, Inc., Seaboard Foods, and Tyson.
About the Alliance:
The Animal Agriculture Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
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