2009 ARA Retailer of the Year Award
Sponsored by the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), Monsanto Company & AgProfessional Magazine

Winner Receives

• Two round-trip airline tickets to the ARA Conference & Exposition, December 1 - 3.
• Two-night accommodations at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
• VIP Dinner with Monsanto representatives and ARA officers.
• Two-page article in Ag Professional magazine spotlighting retail facility.
• Special award presentation at the ARA Conference & Exposition.
• A beautifully cut lead crystal award to display at retail facility.
• Bonus: A round-trip flight to St. Louis for a tour of Monsanto’s biotech research facility and a meeting with senior executives.

Nomination Deadline: September 15, 2009

ARA Retailer of the Year Criteria

Do you know someone who consistently outperforms other retailers? Someone who exceeds
customers’ expectations? Someone who successfully leads by outstanding and innovative
business practices? Then you know someone who should be nominated for the “ARA
Retailer of the Year Award.” Specific criteria are outlined below. Nominations must be received by
September 15, 2009.

Criteria:

1. Effective Employee Relations

• Hires, trains and retains highly skilled, professional employees
• Competitive compensation & benefits plan
• Commits resources for employees to participate in professional certification and/or self
  improvement programs

2. Environmental Stewardship

• Respect for the environment beyond compliance
• Implements daily practices that improve the environment and the image of our industry

3. Reliability

• Meets customer expectations, especially during the busiest time of the year
• Implements practices to reduce downtime (fleet management, preventive maintenance, etc.)

4. Community & Industry Leadership

• Civic involvement
• Local, state and national industry association involvement
• Must be an ARA member

5. Relationship Building

• Continually refines strategic alliances with customers, suppliers, employees and state and local
  governments
• Manages insurance coverage in today’s environment

6. Technology Utilization

• Embraces a business philosophy that maximizes revenue service streams by focusing on
  profitable customer services
• Turns raw customer data into more profitable crop production decisions

7. Innovative Business Practices

• Optimizes changing markets by providing personalized services (value added)
• Strives to diversify business strategies
• Implements cutting-edge management tools in all facets of retail business
  

Help us to recognize the “Best of the Best” — nominate the retailer you most highly regard for “ARA Retailer of the Year” today! Nominations MUST be received by September 15, 2009!