On Feb. 29, the first annual Gathering of Eagles symposium focused exclusively on agribusiness will be held at Charles Harris Learning Center on the Ben Hill-Irwin campus of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.  The half-day leadership symposium features Georgia's Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, who will offer practical advice on how to create value-added manufacturing by processing the crops grown in southern Georgia, how to create co-ops and become more innovative, and will share success stories from across the state.

"Our Gathering of Eagles symposiums have been so successful among the business community that we wanted to expand and we saw tremendous opportunity for economic development in the agricultural sector," said Angela Crance, special assistant to the president of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and organizer of the symposium.  "We want to inspire people to think about how to use our natural resources to create value and jobs in southern Georgia." 

Following remarks from Gary Black, successful business leaders from Thompson Farms, Langdale Industries, Georgia Olive Farms and Muscadine Products Corporation will share their success stories and key learnings.  USDA Rural Development State Director Quinton Robinson will provide the closing remarks.

Crance has enlisted Whole Foods, Wal-Mart and Harvey's to participate with booths at the event to sign up growers as direct suppliers.  She has asked the companies to make the process seamless and easy for participants.  Crance is hoping "Make It in South Georgia" – the title of the Gathering of Eagles for 2012 – will attract 50 attendees.  Admission to the half-day event is $25.  For more information or to register, call (229) 333-2121 or visit www.wiregrass.edu.

Leadership symposium for general business community
Following the agricultural symposium, the Gathering of Eagles symposium for the general business community will be held on March 1 at Brooks Hall Conference Center on the Valdosta campus of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.  The one-day leadership symposium features Bob Prosen, bestselling author of Kiss Theory Good Bye, corporate management consultant for USA Today, and monthly columnist for Jim Cramer’s TheStreet.com, who will offer practical advice on how to become a determined and actionable leader.

"Our focus is always on practical application – it is the main area we ask our speakers to cover," Crance said.  "We want to ensure participants take what they learned back to the office and apply it to the appropriate situations.  We want leaders to grow both personally and professionally."

"Make It in South Georgia" – the title of the Gathering of Eagles for 2012 – will be limited to 200 attendees.  Crance believes that keeping the event small allows participants to truly engage by asking questions and have face time with speakers.

Following remarks from Bob Prosen in the morning session, the afternoon session will offer presentations from many of the same business leaders presenting at the Feb. 29 event.  Regular admission to the symposium costs $199 and VIP admission, which includes dinner with the speakers the night before the event, costs $250.  All money goes to the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College foundation to be used for direct student assistance or program equipment.  Valdosta State University is the key sponsor of the event.  For more information or to register, call (229) 333-2121 or visit www.wiregrass.edu.

Keeping leadership standards high
According to Crance, the idea for a local leadership symposium was developed six years ago by a committee of community leaders who were looking for a "go to" provider of leadership and business growth training.  The goal is to empower and inspire local leaders to perform at higher levels.

One of the most valuable aspects to attending the symposium is the ongoing connections and contacts participants make during the event, according to Crance.  For example, many attendees participate during the year in a leadership book club.

"Over the years, I think we have kept each other accountable and held our leadership standards high," Crance said.

"Companies are coming back year after year – relationships are richer, opportunities for partnership have developed… a lot of good character has connected with good character. That is what we hope to do in the agricultural community."

About Barbara Keiker

Barbara Kieker is a freelance writer who writes on business-related topics for a number of web-based properties. She also provides communications services to Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

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