BMA’s 2009-2010 Breakfast Roundtable series got under way Wednesday, Sept. 16, with the first of four presentations on social media. Leading this first session was Alex Kepnes, Fleishman-Hillard’s B2B Digital Practice Group leader, and Allan Schoenberg, director of corporate communications at CME Group. The panelists shared best practices for getting business-to-business companies off the ground using social media, and included insights on how to get started and how to manage the program, including risks and rewards.

 

You can register for the three remaining sessions for $50 by going to the events section of our Web site.

 

Just a reminder that the second annual BMA Chicago-BMA Milwaukee Cubs-Brewers game takes place Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Miller Park in Milwaukee, and there is still time to register. This fun networking event will begin with a presentation on event and venue sponsorship as a b-to-b marketing strategy. It will feature John Boler, vice president of sales and marketing for Milwaukee’s annual Summerfest event; Tom Hecht, vice president of corporate marketing for the Milwaukee Brewers; and a representative from MillerCoors. And then, of course, there’s the game, too! Go here for details.

 

Mark your calendars for Thursday, Oct. 1, for what we hope will be a landmark day for our chapter. We are trying something new this year: Our first-ever BMA Chicago Day, which includes several events. The day begins with our second MarketingMasters Luncheon Seminar of the year, featuring Steve Liguori, executive director of global marketing at GE. That will be followed by a tour of Google’s Chicago headquarters and a presentation on “networking in the digital age.” The day wraps up with mini-golf and more networking at The Green at Grant Park.

 

We are trying this format for a couple of reasons.

 

First, we want to provide a combination of networking opportunities for all to enjoy and take advantage of. One thing we have learned from our surveys over and over again is that BMA Chicago needs to improve on those opportunities for new members, current members and prospective members alike. I hope you’ll see by the lineup that there is something for everyone, but it is also great value as an entire package.

 

Second, we see this as an opportunity for senior BMA members and marketers to introduce their teams to BMA Chicago. One of my goals is to reach out to the millennial marketer and share what BMA has to offer and what a profession in business-to-business marketing can mean for them. So I encourage all of you not only to attend, but also to send your teams to the day of activities combining professional development, networking and fun. (For groups of five or more, everyone pays the $99 member rate.) More details can be found in the events section of our Web site.

 

I hope that you have all seen our BMA/Chicago LinkedIn Group. It is a great resource for b-to-b marketers. With more than 1,600 members (and growing daily), it’s the largest BMA LinkedIn Group in the nation. Membership in the group is open to both members and non-members, so visit and engage often, since there are always new posts. Go here to join the BMA/Chicago LinkedIn Group.

 

Speaking of non-members, I encourage you to join today. Go here to see all the benefits that come with membership for only $270 a year! Be a part of the Business Marketing Association’s single largest chapter, serving nearly 500 businessmarketing professionals through professional development, networking events and programs.

 

You can also stay updated on the latest news about all BMA Chicago activities and events by subscribing to our BMAIL electronic newsletter. You can join, register for BMA programs and subscribe to the BMAIL through the BMA Web site.

 

As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in BMA, and I look forward to seeing you all at many of our events!
 

Suzanne Martin, President, BMA/Chicago