NASHVILLE– More than 6,200 cattlemen and women from across the country are registered to attend the 2014 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef AssociationTrade Show, which kicked off today at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. The convention, which will run through Feb. 7, is the largest annual gathering of the beef industry.

NCBA President Scott George said Nashville is always one of the best-attended locations and this convention will be no exception.
“Nashville is a legendary city known for its rural roots and country music scene and this week America’s cattlemen and women are taking the city by storm. We’re here to highlight some of the successes of the past year while also setting goals and priorities for what lies ahead,” George said. “From today’s Cattlemen’s College sessions to the many other educational events that will take place over the next three days, cattlemen and women will have the opportunity to hear directly from the experts about how to sustain and improve their operations.”
This year the Trade Show will not only be larger, but will feature more educational and entertainment opportunities for attendees. On the Trade Show floor will be two education areas, including a demonstration area with live animals to provide hands-on instruction. New this year is the NCBA Learning Lounge, which will feature 30-minute educational sessions to provide attendees valuable educational tips from industry experts in informal, face-to-face, technology-friendly classroom settings.
Following Cattlemen’s College, exciting keynote speeches at the general sessions, and a record-breaking Trade Show, convention goers will have the opportunity to attend committee meetings and take part in the grassroots policy development.
“The grassroots policy process is the backbone and the strength of NCBA. It’s important our producers voice is heard and this week cattlemen will come together to discuss policy priorities that will lay the groundwork for the next year,” said George. “From cattle health and the environment, to marketing and tax policy issues, there will be many critical issues addressed this week.”
With so many events taking place during the convention all attendees are encouraged to download the 2014 Cattle Industry Convention app to their smart phones to see the schedule of events, locations, maps and receive alerts before, during and after the event. Visit www.beefusa.org for more information about the convention, and follow NCBA on Facebook and Twitter.