Sep 17 2009

First Time Marketing Technology Summit Rocks Phoenix

Published by Al Maag under Uncategorized

 

The Business Marketing Association (BMA) Phoenix and the Arizona Technology Council held the first ever Marketing Technology Summit 2009 on September 15th at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. More than 375 marketing and technology professionals attended the conference, which featured a keynote presentation, two panel discussions and a networking and technology showcase with 50 exhibition booths. MY fav was our own Michelle Gorel with Cisco’s Brad Whitworth. Marketing experts shared real-life perspectives on what’s working, what’s not, and how to measure success in the emerging world of digital and social marketing.

The overwhelming response to this event points to an underlying need in the Arizona business community for more information about technology that can enhance productivity, creativity and ultimately the brand of companies. The Marketing Technology Summit connected marketing professionals with people and businesses versus just luncheon speakers that most associations put on. Rumor has it no BMA chapter has done this before, and based on the success of the program we will do it again here. This is what makes me tick, doing things not done before…BUT our BMA PHX Chapter board made it happen…a board that works, wanted to make a difference and helped educate seemed to really resonant with everyone. What also kicked butt was the smiles on the faces of the exhibitors who were getting quality leads…many had ever done anything like this before.

Emceed by Steven Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, the conference revealed how marketers must contend with the radical changes that technology is driving in their field…like search optimization. Marketing executives discussed strategies for implementing technology to advance their brand and demand generation efforts and shared insights on measuring returns on investment for the C-Suite…which of course no one knows.

The coolest thing was BMA National president and big kahuna Gary Slack and B to B magazine’s editor Ellis Booker both flew in from Chicago to be at the program. They were kind to be on a panel with me for just our local members…they were the pros that know everything…wish we had them on for longer! One question i wanted to hear is my hometown Chicago getting the Olympics? They know there are hurdles but we have a good chance.

I’m the local president of BMA…could not be prouder.

 

 

To view photos, videos, and presentations from the event, please visit http://www.bmaphoenix.org/events.asp

To view feedback from attendees via Twitter, search #PhxMTS here: http://search.twitter.com/

The Business Marketing Association, Phoenix
Begun in 1922 as the National Industrial Advertising Association, today’s Business Marketing Association represents a lifetime of expertise in business-to-business marketing and communications strategy and tactics. The Phoenix chapter was established in 2008. They meet every third Tuesday afternoon with workshops and programs that enhance members’ marketing knowledge and careers.

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Jun 10 2009

SRO Crowd at BMA National Conference

Published by Al Maag under Uncategorized

Sweet home Chicago, in town at the Drake for the national Business Marketing Assoc (BMA) UNlearn conference with a crowd of approx 400 members. The theme is about how marketers must think differently…

The event started with the old famous McGraw Hill ad with the old man saying I do not know you” etc…came alive with an actor and a contemporay actor saying the samething, brillant start by Ralph Oliva.

The meeting speakers have been great…lead by one the best speakers I have seen, David Meerman Scott about a the new rules for marketing and PR …and leaders from salesforce.com, LinkedIn, and Siemens. I was impressed by the IBM Smart Planet agenda prseneted by our largest supplier’s Matt Preschen.

If you are b2b marketer you should not miss this event in future…join up.

Our past chair, and someone I truly respect Kodak’s Jeff Hayzlett was named the prestigous Crain award winner. Accenture was marketer of the year. Even the awards program comedian was good.

A few more days to go. But new chair Gary Slack is kicking off his new term in style. They only made one mistake, they voted me back as a board member.

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May 28 2009

Business Marketing Assocation National Event is June 10-12

Published by Al Maag under Uncategorized

Do yourself a favor if you want to impact your career and businesss efforts the national conference is coming up in Chi-town at the Drake Hotel. Last year the program was superb…if going would love to meet any peers who want to network. www.marketing.org

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Feb 20 2009

How to grow your business in a recession/BMA panel

Published by Al Maag under Uncategorized

Executives from Microsoft, Blimpie, Wells Fargo, and Humana will head a panel on 2/25 on the topic we are all stuck with for awhile not just playing defense in this market. Join us.

 
February 25th, 2009
Jobing.com
4747 North 22nd St, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85016
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Come join us for a panel discussion on how your company can thrive in today’s economy. Hear from some of the best marketing minds on how businesses can take advantage of the environment to grow. You’ll receive practical ideas for handling today’s business challenges and you’ll walk away with new and emerging tools for addressing some of your pressing business problems. Finally, learn how to leverage communities (internal and external) to enhance your personal and professional growth.

February Speakers:

Kate Unger

Vice President of Marketing for The Kahala Corporation (owners of the Blimpie brand) will talk about how she is able to manage successful franchises and how key vendors play an important role in supporting growth goals. She has overseen national promotions and advertising for dozens of franchise brands, and is most recently responsible for over 1,200 Blimpie franchise stores across the country. Prior to joining Kahala, Kate served as an Account Executive in public relations at Phoenix based Riester Advertising. Kate has also managed marketing operations for 20 McDonald’s stores in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. Kate serves many charities benefiting “high-risk” teens and children in Africa such as Golf FORE Africa and Project Cure. She is a graduate of University of Kansas where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English.

Lorenzo Sierra

An award-wining author and accredited regional marketing consultant for Humana – a Fortune 200 health insurance company. Lorenzo is also a member of the Commercial Sales leadership team which makes him uniquely qualified to provide guidance and strategic advice on today’s marketing and business development issues. He will also share what obstacles he’s helped our State overcome by serving on the Governor’s Commission on Services and Volunteerism where he was recently appointed by former Governor Janet Napolitano. As a board member of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce he is also concerned with setting the pace for business growth in today’s highly diversified market. Lorenzo is a graduate from ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Dan Willis

A Strategy Advisor in Microsoft’s Platform Evangelism organization. His work experience includes stints at 3M, Hewlett Packard, The Sullivan Group and other organizations. At Microsoft, he helps customers leverage the breadth of technologies and resources at Microsoft for business success. He works with startups, the Fortune 100 and any organization in between that has an interesting business problem where emerging Microsoft technology and resources can help. In addition, Dan has volunteered considerable time to many community and educational organizations including the Twin Cities Housing and Development Corp., The St. Paul Public Schools, Boys & Girls Clubs of Phoenix and the Arizona Tech Council Technical Workforce Development Committee.

Lydia Aranda

Lydia Aranda is Vice President & Regional Director of Diverse Segments for Wells Fargo, overseeing strategic growth and business development in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Oregon. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Ms. Aranda served under Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano for several years as Governor’s Small Business Advocate, Executive Director of the Governor’s Small Business Council, and as Director of Small Business Services for the Arizona Department of Commerce. In her current role with Wells Fargo, Ms. Aranda works closely with business and community leaders, focusing on the emerging and diverse markets throughout the southwest. Ms. Aranda has over 23 years in national and global marketing, business development and client relations with strengths in creating exceptional client relationships; developing and maintaining strong business/community alliances; launching e-business / IT start-ups; and significant experience in strategic development. Her list of employers range from industry-leading corporations to woman- and minority-owned entrepreneurships in the telecom, finance, education, law, public relations and fashion industries, including home-based enterprises. She has also lived and worked abroad in political and administrative roles, including an extensive term in the US Embassy to Uruguay. Ms. Aranda enjoys music, traveling, books, films and art, and remains active in the community.


Register now for the February event!
  
     
 

About BMA Phoenix
The Phoenix Chapter of the Business Marketing Association is the leading association for BtoB Marketers and Communicators in Arizona. BMA Phoenix hosts monthly events for business marketers in Arizona. For more information, visit http://www.BMAPhoenix.org.

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Jan 18 2009

Firsts…TBird and Cardinals

Published by Al Maag under Uncategorized

Just got back from the fab Barrett Jackson car auction in Scottsdale…if you have not been at their annual event here ya gotta go. Even if u do not like cars…it is awesome to see so many cars from early 1900’s to 2010 new models. Ya need about 4-5 hours to see the displays, booths, eat, watch the people, see all the cars and the auction. Saturday night is the biggest day…saw the first Tbird every made…the car as they said started rock and roll…the black “55 beauty went for $500,000. They sold a Ford airplane for $1,100,000. whoa     Also saw Richard Petty, very cool.

I got to meet Angela Morse from Philly here for the auction (thanks to Phil Neri at BJ for her tickets)…she wants to start the first Business Marketing Assoc.  chapter in Philadelphia. Gave her all the pros and a couple of cons on how we started our BMA chapter here…good luck !!!!

It’s only 14 hours before the NFC Championship…Cards vs Philly. The first title game for AZ Cardinals…should be wild.  Home field advantage will be key to any Cardinal victory aganist such a good team. Only bad news is the Cards were on the cover of SI again. 

Our Americas leader at Electronics Marketing had a meeting with his team Friday…Phil Gallagher is from Philly…God bless him, he showed his real colors and showed up in his Eagles jersey…the red clad employees booed him. Gotta love the passion of sports fans, booing their boss.

We were also booed by one Philly customer by having the Cardinal logo on our website. Hopefully we get booed for having it up two more weeks (Super Bowl).

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