Friday, April 22, 2011

“To be up on it, you have to be in on it”

During the last few years, I’ve had the good fortune to attend many remarkable events – at the state, regional and national levels relating to agriculture. As a speaker, exhibitor and communications adviser providing official updates for the American Seed Trade Association, and as an agricultural enthusiast, I’ve learned that we are in an ever-changing environment and we as communications and IT professionals always make the necessary adjustments. I’m borrowing the words of a friend who says, “To be up on it – You have to be in on it.”

As budgets continue to be on the chopping block for many universities and organizations, we are asked to do more, often times with less. No longer are we just a (fill in the blank), but we are writers, editors, photographers, videographers, designers, project managers, for print, web and mobile technologies. Once might ask, “How can we possibly overcome these challenges?”

This is where ACE/NETC 2011 can help. This conference brings professionals together with a common interest to discuss these challenges and share solutions. Some of the topics you’ll hear about in June include widgets, social media, new ways to present, writing without jargon, how learning is changing, managing multimedia projects and increasing funding through grassroots efforts.

I think most can agree that one of the best parts of this conference is the networking with colleagues who share similar challenges, issues and work environments across the country. ACE-NETC 2.011 allows us to collaborate on issues and identify new partnerships or opportunities. You’re sure to walk away with at least one thing you can take back and incorporate into your day-to-day job or management repertoire.

Why stop there? Why not give something back to your profession? Contribute a little bit of time, perspective and expertise to ACE and get involved in a special interest group (SIG) and ACE. Now’s your chance to “Get in on it and be up on it.”

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Keynote speaker will address research, outreach using game design principles

On Monday, June 13, ACE/NETC keynote speaker Dr. Rosa Mikeal Martey will present "Game On! Applying game design principles to research, teaching and outreach strategies."

Dr. Martey is an assistant professor in the department of Journalism & Technical Communication at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on online information-seeking and social interaction through digital technologies with a focus on gender, identity, and social norms. Current research includes includes a study of perceptions of social norms and politics on Facebook, and research on game design and applying game principles in university instruction.

Dr. Marty is also currently examining identity and group dynamics in Second Life and World of Warcraft as part of a large federally funded research project.

Prior to her graduate work, Dr. Martey did corporate and community research in advertising and non-profit organizations, as well as strategic planning and website design. She teaches courses in computer-mediated communication, digital research methods and the social impact of digital technologies.

View news about Dr. Martey as well as her recent publications:

The Denver Post:
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_17355091

New Media & Society:
http://nms.sagepub.com/content/11/6/1041.abstract

Information, Communication & Society:
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a927233035~tab=content~order=page

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

You’re Invited…Research You Can Use

Advocating for agriculture using Facebook.

The harsh reality of consumer perceptions of agricultural messages.

Agricultural stories through the eyes of a television journalist.

Career aspirations of agriculture students.


Sound interesting? These are just a few of the topics you can expect to hear about during the Research SIG research presentations at the ACE/NETC Version 2.011 Conference.


The ACE Research SIG invites you to attend the presentations of the winning papers from the faculty and graduate student research competition. Eight papers will be presented from 2:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 10.


Attendees of the Research SIG presentations will receive a CD-ROM with copies of the presented research. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback with presenters during a moderated discussion following the presentations of the last session.


Whether you are looking for best practices for social media or an understanding of how to respond in a crisis situation, you don’t wait to miss the latest and greatest research coming out of the Research SIG.


Looking forward to seeing you in Denver!


Amanda Ruth-McSwain

Chair, Research SIG

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Another year, another ACE/NETC annual meeting!

I'm a veteran of at least 20 annual meetings, so I sometimes wonder why I keep going to them. It's expensive, takes a lot of time and I keep seeing the same people. How much could I possibly miss if I just skip this year?

A lot!

Consider this:

In just the past few years, the social media have exploded.

At the present rate of change, there is something new to learn every week. If I step out of the loop for one year, it would be awfully hard to catch up.


Sure, I could stay home and try to keep up to date through mass media and online resources. But I’d be missing out on the real value of the annual meetings—the opportunity to hear how my clever colleagues are applying exciting new technologies, communication strategies and management ideas in their work. It’s all about ideas and connections.


Even though I’m retired and working only part time now, you won’t catch me sitting home when I can be at an ACE meeting, learning new stuff and stealing great ideas from my friends!


I hope to see you in Denver doing the same.


Tom Knecht

ACE Retiree Director