NCBA’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON COOPERATIVES AS THE BETTER BUSINESS MODEL DURING COOPERATIVE WEEK IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

May 1 event spotlights how cooperatives can improve their business position through marketing strategies, accounting procedures and strategic partnerships.

(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 24, 2008 ) Washington, D.C. — Business leaders and personnel across all sectors of cooperative business will converge on the nation’s capital for the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) Cooperative Conference. Taking place at the Marvin Center on the campus of The George Washington University on May 1 – as part of Cooperative Week in Washington – the event features renowned speakers on topics such as co-op governance, global accounting standards, public policy and implementing innovative marketing strategies. The Cooperative Conference also provides the ability for cooperative personnel to network with representatives from the full spectrum of cooperatives in the United States.

“The Annual Conference is a keystone event for NCBA and for our members,” said Paul Hazen, NCBA president and CEO. “Our members from all over the country come to D.C. to engage with cooperative-minded leaders, educate themselves and others on the critical issues pertaining to cooperatives, and also build relationships that foster a greater awareness of the value of cooperative business.”

NCBA, the only national cross-sector member association for all cooperative sectors, features members such as large cooperatives like Cabot Creamery, Organic Valley and the Navy Federal Credit Union and smaller cooperatives such as the Common Market—a grocer in Frederick, Maryland; Bay Linen Inc.-a laundry service provider for hospitals in Florida, and Thanexus Inc. – a purchasing cooperative in New Jersey. NCBA encourages all cooperatives and interested individuals wanting to learn more about cooperative business to attend.

This year’s featured speaker for the Cooperative Conference is Steven Van Yoder, a nationally recognized marketing guru and author of Get Slightly Famous: Become a Celebrity in Your Field and Attract More Business With Less Effort. Yoder will take the audience through an interactive session teaching them how to build visibility and credibility by positioning themselves effectively through the use of new media, cause marketing, corporate social responsibility and thought leadership branding.

The Cooperative Conference also offers sessions on cooperative governance, the impact on global accounting standards and how building relationships between cooperatives can create sustained growth and a stronger brand identity for cooperatives in today’s global marketplace. The Honorable Dan Mica, president and CEO of Credit Union National Association will lead a session on public policy and advocacy for cooperative concerns

NCBA has been extremely active in addressing the accounting standards that the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) will soon put in place. FASB Board Member George Batavick, in addition to Elizabeth Figgy of IASB; will explain to attendees which of the standards, as cooperative leaders, will impact them most significantly.

In addition to the Cooperative Conference, NCBA will also host its Annual Meeting for its membership on April 30. During this time, members will vote on five open seats for NCBA’s Board of Directors. Other Co-op Week events include the Cooperative Hall of Fame and Induction Ceremony and NCB’s Annual Meeting

For more information on NCBA’s Cooperative Conference or to register for this event, go to www.ncba.coop/solution, but interested registrants can also contact NCBA Member Services directly at 202.638.6222.

To learn more about NCBA and the cooperative business model, go to www.ncba.coop.

About NCBA

Headquartered in Washington, the National Cooperative Business Association represents cooperatives across all sectors of the economy, including agriculture, food distribution and retailing, childcare, credit unions, housing, healthcare, energy, purchasing, worker and telecommunications. In addition, NCBA’s CLUSA International Program has helped develop cooperatives and other sustainable businesses in over 50 countries since 1953. CLUSA currently runs projects in 13 countries.