ARA Rising Stars
2025 Rising Stars Nominations Open!
NOMINATION LINK HERE
This year's award program theme is Leading the Climb to the Summit of Success.
About ARA Rising Stars:
The purpose of the ARA Rising Stars program, sponsored by Atticus, is to provide a way for member organizations to reward top performers through unique professional development and networking.
Why Participate?
When you invest in your team's professional development journey, you increase the likelihood of retaining that top talent for years to come.
- Hone skills tailored to your company with the ARA NAVIGATOR 360° online assessment, completed by Rising Stars at no cost;
- Attend the ARA Conference & Expo at a reduced rate;
- Create a video to share on social media and compete in the Fan Favorite Video Contest for a chance to win a trip to the Atticus headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., and experience another side of ag retail;
- Gain industry-wide recognition beyond the 600+ ag professionals cheering on Rising Stars as they take the main stage at ARA Conference;
- Display an award at your company's facility for customers & communities to appreciate;
- Harvest applicable takeaways from Conference sessions;
- Explore a first-class Expo with the latest innovations;
- Expand their network among industry thought leaders at Conference receptions; and
- Get more involved with ARA as the association representing your needs in Washington.
As one of the first programs in the ARA Professional Development Pathway, the Rising Stars program introduces emerging leaders to ARA, shows them you value their contributions to the team, and prepares them to become future leaders at your company.
Important Details
- Rising Stars must submit a video to participate in the award program.
- Rising Stars will be invited to a dinner with ARA Board members Tuesday evening during the ARA Conference to receive their awards; spouses will not be invited in order to encourage networking among Rising Stars and ARA Board Members.
- The 2025 ARA Conference & Expo will be held Dec. 2-4 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Rising Stars will be announced via an ARA news release prior to the Conference; Rising Star companies will be encouraged to send their own announcements at this time.
- Accepted Rising Stars will be notified by early October.
Nomination Requirements
- A limit of two individuals from the same company may be nominated;
- Nominee(s) must have 10 years of experience or less in the ag sector; and
- Nominee(s) must be employed by an ARA member company in good standing.
- Nomination forms are due by COB, September 19, 2025.
Fan Favorite Video Contest
Prepare to showcase your video! Once posted, promote your video on your social media platforms. Be sure to tag ARA’s social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram), and on Atticus LLC’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and X) so your network can view your video submission and explore other entries.
The Fan Favorite Video Contest starts on October 6, 2025, and ends on November 7, 2025. Rising Stars nominees will be notified individually with further details and instructions to participate in this contest.
Encourage your audience to vote for their favorite videos, as the entry with the most votes will receive an exclusive additional prize!
If you are ready to submit your nomination and video at the same time, please upload your video below. Each accepted Rising Star must submit a video related to the theme in order to participate in the award program.
Video Requirements and Guidance:
Videos must be submitted by September 30, 2025.
Videos should be around 1 minute, no longer than 2 minutes.
Guiding questions:
- What company are you with?
- What is your position within your company?
- How have you been empowered in your career?
- How do you empower leadership with others and what does that mean to you?
- What are some examples of how you display a leadership role in your day to day?
- What would you say to encourage future generations to join in the ag industry?
Contact Alex Enlow at alex@aradc.org with questions.
