President's Annual Letter
23 May 2007
Dear BMA Members,
June 30th marks the end of Fiscal Year 2007– 2008 for the Northern California Chapter of the Business Marketing Association. Because the Board of Directors is busy completing projects and preparing the transition to a new Board (new board members step into their roles on the first of July) this is a good time to review the business of the past year.
Programs
Every month, NorCal BMA hosts one luncheon and several roundtables for a total of four to six programs every 30 days. This is a major feat, considering that in the same time period, Silicon Valley is the venue for a substantial volume of trade shows, exhibitions, corporate conferences and organizational meetings. Against this kind of competition, NorCal BMA has continued to feature business-to-business (B2B) experts from the Bay Area and beyond every month of the year. Identifying speakers and hosting these events requires extraordinary time and talent from our dedicated Board of Directors and Roundtable Managers.
With this number of activities, the BMA monthly luncheon continues to be our centerpiece. We view this meeting as the premier event for B2B marketers to network, establish business relationships, socialize and learn. In the last year, besides presenting several innovators in Web 2.0 technologies in our monthly luncheons, we heard from top companies like Google, Forrester Research, Inc. and Crimson Consulting. In the coming year, monthly luncheon meetings will continue to present some of the major voices in Bay Area B2B Marketing.
Roundtables
Several years ago, NorCal BMA instituted Roundtables as a forum for discussions on specific topics of interest to the B2B marketing community. We now have four monthly roundtables covering e-Marketing, Product Marketing, Branding, and PR. The International Marketing Roundtable will return in September after a six month hiatus.
Membership
NorCal BMA serves a base of well over 1,000 Bay Area-based B2B marketers. Most are not members, but support BMA through attendance at our events. This is an important population for us to serve, and from whom to seek tangible support through their membership.
In the past year, we have seen a slight downtick in NorCal BMA membership. This trend is consistent with the decrease we’ve observed in other organizations. It appears that B2B marketers attend only those events with a direct interest or need in their jobs. We know the services and programs we offer meet the needs of a broad base of clients. Increasing membership in NorCal BMA is one of our chief goals for the coming fiscal year.
Communications & Web
I believe NorCal BMA has one of the most effective communications links of any B2B organization locally. Our website, which receives a consistently high number of visitors, is routinely updated to offer access to a wealth of information. We are presently seeking to expand the breadth and depth of our website offerings. I invite you to check in from time to time to see what’s new.
On the Horizon
Although our major goal continues to be increasing our membership, the companion goal is to meet the needs of that membership. In other words—you. As I complete my term as President, I am proud of the accomplishments of NorCal BMA. The talent of the two Boards I’ve worked with reaffirms that our profession and the organization are in good hands.
The new Board is fortunate to have many returning members. This will ensure consistency of our policies, procedures and programs. Meanwhile, new Board members will bring fresh perspectives to the chapter leadership. I will continue to serve on the Board of Directors as chairperson and I am looking forward to year of growth and continued evolution. We want above all to bring you programs, speakers and educational opportunities that will help you in your careers and advance the knowledge of B2B marketing.
For those of you who attend BMA events, please take the time to thank your Board members and RT managers, because the flawless execution of the organization is all due to their time and energy. It’s tough to manage an organization event, and make it all look easy!
It takes time, talent and YOU to make NorCal BMA remain a vibrant organization. I know BMA can count on your continued support!
Regards,
Carole Coleman
Chairman, Business Marketing Association – Northern California