I just got back from the Global Rodeo Conference in Omaha, Nebraska and I’m so excited to tell you about the great experiences I had on September 22-23. I attended the conference to give a presentation called “Is Your Website All Hat and No Cattle?”
It focused on the importance of Google being able to find websites, the benefits of using social media and how web design can help increase revenue online. I was especially happy to see that our friends from Rodeo Austin, were in Omaha for the conference! I really appreciated their support for my presentation and it was great to see them.
Although my presentation went well, my trip ended up being about so much more! I was thrilled to learn as much as I could about rodeo from the other speakers. One of the presentations was given by the Vice President and COO of Rodeo Houston, Leroy Shafer.
He gave the history of the rodeo from the time it was established in 1931 and how they now run the biggest rodeo in America. It was great listening to their story of success over the years from someone who has actually been there through it all. He mentioned how the current rodeo audience is growing older and it made me realize the necessity and relevance of the work we do here at Saffire. Online marketing reaches a younger crowd and will help keep rodeo relevant.
I was also thrilled to meet so many great people in attendance at the conference. After working with Rodeo Austin, one of my favorite things to do is to listen to how different committees make their rodeos tick and how each of them are unique in their own way. By the end of my time in Omaha, I felt like I knew so much more about how rodeo works, and I really enjoyed meeting a lot of new friends.
Finally, since the conference was going on at the same time as the 2011 Justin Boots Championship Rodeo & the Ak-Sar-Ben 4H Stock Show, I had to go see some of the action! (You all know I’m a rodeo girl at heart!) I had the chance to see some of the animals out back behind the conference center and some of the cattle in the livestock show. At the end of the two day conference, I felt that the Global Rodeo Conference was not only fun but also such a learning experience.
I want to personally thank the members of the Association of Rodeo Committees for allowing me to participate! I had a wonderful time and can’t wait until next year!