The economic foundation of US communities has experienced dramatic changes over the past two decades. These changes have made it increasingly important for rural businesses to use e-commerce strategies to strengthen their economic health and stability, improve their market share and catapult the efficiency of their products and services.
In response to these changes, the National E-Commerce Extension Initiative was launched in 2003, and is addressing various factors that will dictate the adoption and diffusion of e-commerce innovations in rural areas. These factors include such topics as whether communities have the technology in place to embrace e-commerce applications, whether businesses understand how e-commerce can benefit their operations, and whether Extension educators have the resources to provide adequate educational support to small businesses.
This session is for all extension educators who want to increase their ability to deliver programming that increases the adoption of information technologies. An exciting variety of new e-commerce related Extension educational curricula will be reviewed.
Thursday 9:15 -10:45AM
Presenters - Christina Selvek, Russ Martin, Rod Howe

No more “Extension is the best-kept secret in our county!� This 90-minute program will break down the basic, important components of promotion into simple steps that can be applied to any Association activity to increase public awareness of CCE. A Ten Step Planning Worksheet takes participants through the process with the facilitator. Learn how to produce better press releases, web and broadcast communications, brochures, ads – in an organized and time-saving manner. Designed to assist educators and administrative staff without backgrounds in advertising and public relations. Accompanying workbook and cd with samples, templates, forms and PowerPoint presentation will provide valuable take-home information for participants to use again and share with their Association.
Thursday 11:15AM - 12:45PM
Presenter - Nancy Karp

"Marketing and Public Relations both have one major thing in common, the need for clear and concise communication. Since communication is a factor that affects our quality of life, this course will begin with an introduction to theory, research and practice on how to get your message across to different audiences and in a variety of situations. As someone once told me, public speaking is about “/being comfortable and being yourself/.�
The goal of this course is to provide business professionals, from all backgrounds and experiences, the information, theory, tools and techniques to effectively market their services clearly, succinctly, and with some degree of persuasiveness. Participants will also learn about value creation and the development, implementation and control of the strategic plan.* *Whether on a shoe-string budget or short on staff, participants will learn how to think creatively to develop a marketing plan that can get their service noticed."
Friday 8:30 -10:00AM
Presenter - Joe Pillittere

What makes 4-H Youth Development a unique youth serving organization? If we could all answer that question succinctly and intentionally, with pride and power, our clientele and our communities, too, would understand what we do and why. How do we communicate that niche with our audiences, colleagues, funding/program partners and our university?
Communication is an integral part of what we do within Cornell Cooperative Extension, yet there are many who are not clear about the unique function that 4-H has in connecting youth across NYS to our land grant university. How do we help others to know the real benefits of
4-H Youth Development?
Tools to hightlight: Why 4-H Series, NYS4-H Resource Directory, Website
Friday 10:30 - Noon
Presenter - Celeste Carmichael, Barb Schirmer, George Preston, Steve Hamilton, Cathy Sheils, Cathann Kress

What do you do when you want to “get the word out"? to the media about your organization or project? Who do you talk to and what do you tell them? The old “who, what, why, where, and when"? are tried and true guidelines and really do work. How you write your story, and who you talk to makes all the difference. Attend this workshop, get your “press pass,"? and don’t change that dial: this workshop will provide participants with the tools they need to achieve their media goals.
Friday - 10:30AM-Noon
Presenters - Bruce Robertson, Theresa Mayhew