On September 3, 2019, twenty-four dedicated All West/Select Sires team members traveled to Columbus, Ohio for the Select Sires Inc. National Sales Conference. This conference, which takes place every two years, gathers nearly 500 of the most extraordinary people in the A.I. industry from across our nation and around the world for three jam-packed days of learning, networking, and celebrating.
This year’s conference theme “ALL IN” reminded the Select Sires federation to be all in when it comes to serving our customers. There was also much discussion about staying relevant in a constantly changing industry. All West’s Greg Collins commented, “The talent that was present at the conference is incredible. The challenge to be relevant in a fast-paced ever-changing market is real, but with the talent we have I think we are up for the challenge.”
The week kicked off with a special tour of the Certified Angus Beef Culinary Center (CAB) for our beef-focused team members. All West Large Herd Specialist Clint Sexson commented, “The CAB tour was outstanding with impressive demonstrations and learning opportunities. Their hospitality was second to none.” This year, the conference also featured both general and breakout sessions specifically for our beef team.
Clint concluded, “National Sales Conference was professional and educational. Capturing our like-minded people from throughout the federation in one setting fostered great conversations, reinforced long-term vision, and even further aligned the beef team toward opportunities to better allow our customers to succeed.”
The conference continued with general sessions relating to our current sire lineups, beef-on-dairy strategies, and planning for the future. Besides 24 All West team members, customer Tony Lopes also traveled from the West Coast to join us as a guest speaker at the conference. Tony shared his future goals as the next generation of his family’s successful dairy operation, as well as how All West/Select Sires is assisting him in reaching these goals as his genetic partner.
Breakout session topics covered a wide variety of our products, programs and services from CowManager, to Breeding to Feeding, to the latest ProfitMAX program. Our own team members, Greg Collins and Brad Barham teamed up with Premier Select Sires Carli Woodward to present herd inventory planning tools, including our Optimal Genetic Pathways Calculator. Greg said, “Providing useful, relevant material is the key. The services under the umbrella of ProfitMAX are truly value-added services. We are hopeful that we gave everyone a better understanding of the Optimal Genetic Pathways calculator so they can implement it in their cooperatives.”
Aside from the informational sessions, attendees from the Select Sires federation, Select Sires GenerVations, and World Wide Sires were able to connect, share ideas, and learn from each other. Their hard work was recognized at the Super Achievers Awards Banquet. All West Super Achievers included; 2018: Marvin Correia, Allan Cossentine, Jennifer Gonzalez, Jerome Reidman, Ken Rowley, Jake Van Vliet, 2019: Angie Kennedy and Kit Watson. Our 2019 President’s Club members were also recognized including Marvin Correia, Denis Curtin, Allan Hanselman, Angie Kennedy, Rodney Paulo, Greg Silva, and Kit Watson.
A special “ALL IN” award was given to six team members from across the federation who have went all in to make a difference this year. Congratulations to Greg Collins and the other award recipients. Their hard work has truly impacted so many throughout the Select Sires Inc. federation and beyond! Greg humbly shared, “It was certainly touching to receive the award in front of my peers. I appreciate the training and opportunities to utilize my talents for the good of others. Whether it’s work, personnel or spiritual, there are many in the Select Sires federation who are ‘ALL IN’.”
The week concluded with the event most attendees anxiously await, the Select Sires Bull Parade at the company headquarters in Plain City, Ohio. On display this year were several customer favorites including 7JE1038 VALENTINO, 7JE5004 CHROME, 7HO12344 RAGER-RED, 7HO10999 BRADNICK, and more, and even one of the new NxGEN program sires, 7HO14734 EISAKU. All West A.I. Technician and first-time NSC attendee Jorge Mendoza commented, “The bull parade was my favorite part of the trip. It was pretty awesome to see the bulls I use in customer’s herds up close and personal and really made the value of these bulls come full circle for me. It was also comforting to see that the Select Sires barn employees are so diligent in providing care for our studs.” Attendees even had the privilege of singing “Happy 10th Birthday” to 7HO10920 GOLD CHIP! You can get a glimpse of the bull parade in a short video on our YouTube channel.
While at Select Sires Inc. headquarters, members of our team took time to acknowledge several new bricks added to the entrance of the Kellgren Heritage Center in the past two years. In 2017, Select Sires honored more than 400 employees with a brick paver at the building’s entrance. The bricks were engraved with employee names to recognize individuals with at least 30 years of service. Since the original installment, 25 employees have surpassed the milestone to earn this lasting recognition and their personalized pavers have been added to the entrance. Two new bricks were added for All West team members: one for All West Sales Representative Ken Rowley and one for former All West Sales Representative Greg Schafer. To date, there are 456 names displayed in the patio.
Keynote speaker Gian Paul Gonzalez followed the bull parade with the inspiring story of how his slogan “ALL IN” changed the 2011 season for the New York Giants, as well as his life. All West’s Jorge Mendoza commented, “His presentation focused on being ‘ALL IN’ in any facet of life. It really encouraged me to think about how I can do my part to better my client’s herds, along with providing exceptional service and communication. I can confidently say this ‘ALL IN’ mentality directly portrays anyone who works for and with All West/Select Sires.”
All West/Select Sires is no longer simply your quality semen provider, but also your genetic partner to bring you and your herd all of the products, programs and services you need to be profitable. We are “ALL IN” because Your Success is Our Passion. Thank you to Select Sires Inc. for another inspiring National Sales Conference!
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