It's time to start thinking about how you can participate!  We are only 10 weeks away from May 1 !
   
What Can You Do?
 
National Emu Week (N.E.W.) is an annual event that is held over a 9-day period starting the first Saturday in May through the second Sunday in May.  N.E.W. is a time to educate the public about the emu industry.  "National Emu Week (N.E.W.) - 2010" will be observed from Saturday, May 1st thru Sunday, May 9th.  This is not that far away!
 
National Emu Week started in 1999 as "Emu Awareness Week" (EAW).  In 2001
at the St. Joseph, MO convention, it was decided to change the name to National Emu Week with the acronym N.E.W.
 
Even though N.E.W. will be held after Easter, it will still be a perfect time to showcase your emu egg art.  A local "egg art" contest with entries in the painted, carved and decorated categories is one possibility.  You need to start thinking about advertising your emu egg contest early so that contestants will have enough time to create their "work of art".  A new supply of emu eggs should also be readily available at this time of year.  
 
Displays in a store front window or a showcase at your local library, school or area business, would draw interest to the emu industry.  Other ideas are... an open house; farm tours; library or mall displays; restaurant specials; community dinners; newspaper advertisements; press releases and articles; talks given to schools, organizations, nursing homes or other groups; product "specials"; samplings; booths in area promotional events; etc.  These are all excellent ways to educate people and make them aware of the many benefits the emu industry has to offer.
 
Each state should appoint a member to apply for an "Emu Week" proclamation from your state governor.  If a state proclamation is not possible, a city, county, township, or any other area leader, can proclaim May 1 - 9, 2010 as "Emu Week".
 
Call your state president to find out more information on what your state association has planned for N.E.W and ask if a N.E.W. proclamation has been applied for.  Find out how you can become involved in the N.E.W. activities in your area.  
 
Information on how you can get the most out of National Emu Week will be posted in the coming weeks.  Fill-in-the-blanks press releases and other press releases will be posted for you to use.  When you add your information to these press releases, they create FREE advertising for your farm when they are printed.  And don't forget to send along a picture if you have one.  If you need something in particular, let me know.  Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.     
 
Each and every AEA member needs to become involved in promoting "their" industry.  
 
Remember, if YOU don't promote your industry... who will?
 
All future N.E.W. information will be posted to the AEA members list, AEA Yahoo 'members'   members-aea@yahoogroups.com .  Send an e-mail to the AEA members list and let us know what YOU are planning for N.E.W.  
 
Wisconsin's WIEA members have already set most of their events for N.E.W.  To see what will be happening in Wisconsin, go to the Wisconsin Emu Association (WIEA) website,  www.wiea-emu.org  , and scroll to the bottom of the home page.  Most have chosen to give farm tours by appointment, weather permitting, during National Emu Week.  You don't need to host a major event to participate in N.E.W.
 
It is time to start thinking about having brochures made, ordering extra products and supplies and making arrangements for advertising your event.
 
Look for the upcoming schedule to help you get ready for your events.