May 2010 (updated 5/13/10)

We've had a few exciting weeks here at BMA Chicago.  We just wrapped up our program year at The Standard Club with my boss, Eduardo Conrado, who is the b-to-b CMO at Motorola.  Hopefully you attended but just in case you didn't make it, here's a little synopsis of what Eduardo spoke about from the man himself.

 

EDUARDO CONRADO: It was good to see you at the Chicago BMA luncheon. I hope you were energized by my talk on purpose and the impact that it can have on your own company. I look forward to seeing you at the national conference, where I will expand on the topic. I’ll be speaking along with the Siegel + Gale president on the impact that purpose can have and I’ll show some examples from some other companies around the world. See you there.

 

Now we also just announce winners at the 2010 Tower Awards celebration, and Best in Show went to a new entrant, Oneupweb. Congratulations! Other big winners included GyroHSR, Slack Barshinger, Gerard Design and Symmetri Marketing Group. And I’m so proud to say that Motorola took home a few, too. Great job, team. A special thanks to Ellis Booker, BtoB magazine’s editor, for being a great emcee, and to our sponsors: Schneider Electric, Freeman, BtoB magazine, Getty Images and Draftfcb.

 

Our April Young Professionals Month was a great success and we’re extending the membership offer through the end of June 2010. So for those of you under 30 who sign up during this period, we will waive the $25 processing fee and also include three events—that’s luncheons or breakfasts—for free through December 2010. It’s great deal.

 

Two of the most exciting and fun events are yet to come in early June. The BMA annual conference returns to Chicago June 2-4 at the Swissotel. And it’s not too late to register, so sign up at www.marketing.org. And check out the fun video that Second City created for us for the conference by clicking on the social media link on the Web site. It’s really great. You’ve got to check it out.

 

On the second night of the conference, which is Thursday, June 3, we will hold our annual fund raiser, media auction and gala at the Windy City Biz Bash. We have some great media deals from The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Fortune, Forbes, The Economist as well as many others. And we have some fun auction items, too, including a whitewater rafting trip, a suite at the United Center for a Bulls game, and lots of restaurant and hotel gift certificates. And what would an auction be without a karaoke machine. That will be a lot of fun at your summer barbecues. So register now to attend through the Web site and experience the fun.

 

I would also like to extend a big thank-you to our platinum sponsor, Microsoft, and our other sponsors: CareerBuilder, Google and SES (Search Engine Strategies).

 

So thanks again in general for your support. And if you aren’t a member yet, you can join at any time at www.marketing.org. And if you’re planning to go to the conference, this is a great time to join because there is a $200 savings for members.

 

So keep up with all the BMA Chicago activities and discussions by joining our LinkedIn group, Business Marketing Association of Chicago, and following us on Twitter, @BMAChicago, and on Facebook and YouTube.

Best regards,

 
Suzanne Martin, President, BMA Chicago