The executive committees of the North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP) and the National Meat Association (NMA) met last week in Washington, DC, for two days to continue working out the logistics of bringing together the two organizations under the banner of the North American Meat Association (NAMA). They agreed everything is on track to complete the consolidation by the target date of July 1, 2012.
The group confirmed this new logo for NAMA:
The map image emphasizes that its membership and scope of work is North American. The three-word tag line highlights what it offers members.
Barry Carpenter, who will become the CEO of NAMA, and Phil Kimball, who will become the Executive Director of NAMA, joined in the productive discussions.
One of the first tangible results will be a new NAMA Membership Directory delivered to all members by the start date. There will be a strategic planning session during the summer months, and the combined committees from the two associations will continue working on critical issues for the industry and the new association.
The two executive committees also confirmed a first year of major events for the new association and other events popular with each group over the years including:
- The NAMA Outlook Conference, Oct. 24 – 27, in San Antonio, TX, which will host the Meat Industry Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner on Oct. 27.
- The NAMA Annual Convention and MEATXPO’13, Feb. 10 – 13, 2013, in Las Vegas, NV.
- The continuation of a wide array of education programs including the very popular Center of the Plate Training® program.
There are plans for a major all-member orientation at the Outlook Conference, and a new weekly newsletter distributed to all current NMA and NAMP members well before the July 1 startup date.
NAMA will be one of the largest meat industry trade associations in the world, with approximately 700 member companies in the United States, Canada, Mexico and other countries.
Source: North American Meat Association, National Meat Association
