Sheep Industry News December 2023

Make Plans to Attend Your First Annual Convention

C onsidering attending ASI’s Annual Convention for the first time in 2024? Here’s some things you should know before the convention begins on Jan. 10 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Of course, anyone with an interest in the American sheep industry is welcome to attend, whether it’s your first time or 40th time. Register at bit.ly/ASI2024. Early bird registration discounts end on Dec. 8, and all online registrations must be completed by Dec. 18. Any registrations after that date must be completed in person in Denver. There’s no doubt attending the convention for the first time can be a bit intimidating. With more than 400 attendees and 50 plus meetings, there is a lot going on and a lot to take part in at the annual convention. First-time attendees should look through the tentative schedule before leaving home. This will give you a glimpse of sessions you might like to attend. Once you’ve arrived in Denver, you’ll receive a convention book with the official schedule, meeting agendas and a list of speakers for each meet ing. Take time to look through the agendas and see if that has an impact on which meetings you’d like to attend. All meetings listed on the official schedule of events are open to registered convention attendees. Each of the tours offered during the convention require a separate ticket in addition to convention registration. Tours should be booked as early as possible as space is limited. If a tour is listed as sold out when you register, check with the registration desk at the convention, as spots sometimes open up at the last minute.

Many of the meals provided during the convention are in cluded in the registration fee. A full registration provides access to the Industry Welcome Reception on Thursday evening, the Awards Lunch on Friday, the Speaker Lunch on Saturday and the Make It With Wool Reception and Fashion Show on Saturday evening. If you’re booking a two-day registration, the meals listed above are included for the days you’re registered to attend. The Wool Recognition Lunch on Thursday and the RAMPAC Reception on Friday evening each require a separate ticket in ad dition to your registration fees. Networking is one of the most important benefits of attending the annual convention. Visiting with producers, lamb feeders, lamb companies and participants in the vendor fair between meeting sessions are some great ways to meet new people. Seat ing at meals is generally open and also allows opportunities to have conversations with people from all across the United States. First-time attendees are encouraged to attend meetings of the Young & Emerging Entrepreneurs Committee – scheduled for Thursday evening (mostly a meet and greet session) and all day on Friday. In addition to presentations from industry insiders, the group is planning a lamb cooking competition this year. During the annual convention, the Whova app is also a great place to check in digitally. The app includes valuable information – such as the schedule, list of speakers, etc. – and provides an opportunity to interact with other attendees. In the past, it’s been used to plan carpools to/from the airport, dinner outings and more. The app is the place to share photos from the convention, as well. It’s available for download from your app store.

8 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org