Question

Topic: Other

Out Of The Box Thinking For An It Marketing Event

Posted by Anonymous on 2/6/2009 at 11:00 PM ET 250 Points
I work for an IT company and have been challenged with putting together a plan for a marketing event. We already attend tradeshows, do webinars, lunch & learns, etc., I need something really different. Not cheezy or corny, but something that will really make people want to leave their offices to attend. I have a budget of $5K. I have an idea or 2, but thought I'd turn to the brilliant minds of MarketingProfs.com members for some input. Thanks for your help!!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 2/7/2009 at 8:07 AM Accepted
    What specifically does your company do?
    Who specifically are your target customers?
    Does the event need to be physical or can it be virtual (teleseminar, webinar, etc.)?
    Why would someone want to spend an hour at an event that you sponsor?
  • Posted on 2/7/2009 at 10:23 AM Accepted
    You're up early, Jay.....

    Cathy,
    Jay has great questions that really need a couple basic answers before any of us can realistically wrap our brains around what you need.

    That said, you have $5k for one event, but you also apparently perform regular marketing activities throughout the year. I'll suggest that whatever the one event ends up being, it should not be stand alone. Don't make each event different from the last. Make your company different from all the others. An integrated marketing campaign based on a strong brand will help make any single event much more successful.
  • Posted by telemoxie on 2/7/2009 at 3:05 PM Accepted
    If I were putting on such a seminar, I would focus on the specific technology or problem rather than the general benefits of outsourcing.

    For example, you could do a seminar on disaster recovery planning, and you could invite CFOs as well as CEOs.

    I believe that there are only five or so things which a CEO is personally liable for, despite the protections offered by incorporation. For example, I believe the CEO is personally responsible and therefore legally liable for payroll taxes. I believe they are also legally liable for enforcement of sexual restaurant issues and environmental protection issues (but you should check with an attorney on this).

    I have also heard that CEOs are personally responsible and legally liable to ensure that computers are properly backed up. This gives them a strong incentive to either attend your event or to have a representative attend your event.
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 2/7/2009 at 3:09 PM Accepted
    Telemoxie is right on track. Instead of conducting an "answers for all" meeting, be lazar sharp in your focus and go after specific niches and industry specific issues. The group will also like meeting with their peers, and the brainstorming and cumulative knowledge of the group will only make your session better.
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