2008 BWCC Features Theme of “Orchestrate Your Opportunities”

MEMPHIS – “Orchestrate Your Opportunities” is the theme of the 2008 Beltwide Cotton Conferences (BWCC) set for January 8-11 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. The National Cotton Council (NCC) is the conferences’ primary coordinator.

Bill Robertson, the NCC’s manager, Agronomy, Soils and Physiology and coordinator of Beltwide Cotton Production Conference programming, said program ideas will be gleaned from the NCC’s American Cotton Producers, the BWCC Steering Committee, the BWCC Technical Conference chairmen and NCC staff.

“We’re also making a greater effort to get ideas from crop consultants and encourage their attendance because they are playing an ever increasing role in producers’ farming decisions,” Robertson said. “In fact, we would like to gear some of the Production Conference workshops specifically toward consultants.”

The two-day Production Conference will focus on a wide range of timely topics -- from the 2007 farm bill to insect/weed resistance management.

Robertson said that past and potential BWCC attendees will be mailed a flyer that includes basic information about the 2008 BWCC. The traditional information booklets will not be printed and distributed this year but made available in early October at the BWCC web site, http://www.cotton.org/beltwide. Specific details concerning the conferences and instructions for making room reservations also will be online.

The Gaylord Opryland should prove to be an outstanding venue for the 2008 BWCC as a three-year upgrade will have been completed, including renovation of all its rooms and suites; improvement of its convention services facilities; and the addition of more restaurants. For more information, visit www.gaylordopryland.com.

The property has been awarded the coveted Gold Key Elite award for the fifth straight year and the Gold Platter Elite award for the third consecutive year by Meetings & Conventions magazine, given to the top five meeting properties in the world. 

The Beltwide Cotton Conferences’ overall objective is sharing information among those with a stake in a healthy U.S. cotton production sector, including industry members, university and USDA researchers, Extension personnel, consultants and service providers. The forum’s programming is designed to inform U.S. cotton producers about innovative and effective technology and methods that can promote viability in both the upcoming growing season and long-term.

The BWCC’s objective is in accord with the National Cotton Council’s mission of -- ensuring the ability of all industry segments to compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured product markets at home and abroad.

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Editors/Broadcasters: Please include the following information in your publication’s meeting calendar listing or your station’s public service announcement slots:

2008 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 8-11, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Nashville, Tenn. For more information, contact:  National Cotton Council, P.O. Box 820285, Memphis, TN 38182 (901) 274-9030 FX (901) 725-0510 email: beltwide@cotton.org

Editors:  Please note Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center images can be downloaded from their press gallery at http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordopryland/press/gallery.cfm