Three years ago, a colleague invited me to attend a National AgriMarketing Association (NAMA) meeting. She explained the event would last about an hour and included lunch. Free lunch? I'm in!
When I arrived, I was surprised to see a small conference room filled with local up-and-comers in the Ag industry. I wondered what they knew about the trends and challenges facing the market that I didn't. It turns out, they knew a lot because they met each month to discuss issues and share strategies. Then it dawned on me...I wasn't leading the next generation of marketing professionals, they were. Unacceptable!
Three years ago, I was given the opportunity to get involved and I took it. Sure, monthly meetings give you a great excuse to sneak away from the office for a few hours, but it turns out there are lots of benefits to professional associations. Case in point:
- Getting involved provides networking opportunities with other professionals who share like interests and face similar challenges on a daily basis. Your peers can be sounding-boards and wonderful sources of inspiration. Your next big idea may come from a quick brainstorming session over lunch.
- You can raise awareness about your company and generate new business prospects. At the next meeting, introduce yourself to your fellow tablemates. Tell them where you work and prepare a 30-second "elevator speech" about your company. You never know who may need your services. On that note: be a good ambassador for your company.
- Marketing strategies are always changing and evolving. Pursuing continuing education opportunities is the only way to stay on top of the game. A "Lunch and Learn" has more to offer than a three-course meal. For one hour, you can listen to an expert discuss strategies that helped their business gain market share and reach their target audience. In a tough economy, who can afford to miss that kind of advice?
There are a plethora of professional associations that give you the opportunity to learn from the experts in your industry. Visit the American Advertising Federation, American Marketing Association (AMA), Art Directors Association of Iowa, International Association of Business Communicators, National AgriMarketing Association (NAMA) and Public Relations Society of America Web sites to view upcoming meetings in the Des Moines area. This is your chance to get involved! Will you take it?