ST. LOUIS - February 4, 2009 - In an effort to provide clients with a productive work environment designed to fit their business needs, Osborn & Barr (O&B) again will host the O&B Business Center at this year’s World Ag Expo (WAE), the world’s largest annual farm equipment and agriculture technology exhibition.

Introduced at WAE in 2003, the O&B Business Center provides O&B’s clients, associates and business partners the comfort and amenities of a great workspace. Unique to outdoor shows like WAE, the Business Center is a climate-controlled home base, offering an array of services, including a media center, meeting rooms, access to high-speed Internet, food and refreshments. The goal of the Business Center is to provide the opportunity to re-connect with friends in the industry, to re-energize during the Expo and to keep up on deadlines and work responsibilities.

“O&B consistently strives to anticipate and exceed client needs. The O&B Business Center hopefully provides value beyond the expectations of our business partners,” said O&B Business Development Manager Jared Spader. “The Business Center is a way for us to augment the marketing counsel, public relations guidance, account management, media relations and experiential marketing support that we provide clients during the World Ag Expo.”

As a firm that participates in dozens of tradeshows each year, O&B understands the challenges clients face in keeping up with work during such events, particularly outdoor shows like World Ag Expo. After attending WAE several years ago, Spader said it became evident to O&B that its clients were in need of a warm, dry and quiet environment for business.

In addition to providing a business resource, the Business Center gives O&B associates the chance to spend time with clients outside of the hectic environment of the tradeshow.
Another advantage of O&B’s presence at WAE is the firm’s opportunity to conduct market research with both clients and show attendees.

“It is a unique opportunity for us to keep our finger on the pulse of these markets that we focus on – agriculture, rural America and food production,” Spader said. “Our goal is to constantly stay abreast of our marketplaces and transfer this insight into the kind of business counsel that really moves the needle for our clients.”

The 2009 WAE will take place February 10-12 in Tulare, California. A number of O&B clients will attend this year’s event, including Monsanto, the Propane Education & Research Council, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and McCormick Tractor International USA. 

Osborn & Barr is the leading marketing and communications firm in North America, focused on the industries of agriculture, food production and rural America. Its staff of 127 professionals provides brand management, strategic planning, event planning and marketing, creative services, public relations, media services, digital marketing and channel marketing. Founded in 1988, Osborn & Barr is headquartered in St. Louis and has additional U.S. offices in Kansas City and Des Moines. Osborn & Barr can be contacted via phone at 1-888-235-4332 or at www.osborn-barr.com.

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