The 1st Annual Columbia Business School Marketing Conference and Cocktail

Phew! So it is finally over. The 1st Annual Columbia Business Schbool Marketing Conference and Cocktail: Marketing in a World if Increasing Consumer Power took place on October 28th, 2005. So far, we have heard almost nothing but positive feedback about the outcome of the Conference! So Stephanie and I are thrilled!

Here are some things we learned:

Lesson #1: If the Conference topic is interesting and the speaker line-up impressive, the people will come.
Attendance was amazing. While we had expected a crowd of 150 to 200, we got over 300 attendees overall. And this was the one part of the Conference that we were so incredibly worried about. The key to the success in attendance is to not depend on students. This Conference really became a professional event, for alumni and marketing professionals to learn and to network. The line up of speakers were so impressive that even industry specialists wanted to attend. Hence, we had great turnout from professionals who figured they'd take the afternoon off. Students are flakey and often overcommited.

Lesson #2: Go for the big guns.
They actually will come of you give them enough notice. Columbia Business School is no dinky institution. Not only do we have some of the most talented students in the world, we also have a strong alumni network and an Ivy League brand. If the speaking engagment fits in their schedule, even the biggest CEO's are happy to attend. Big guns draw big crowds, don't be afraid to invite them!

Lesson #3: Get everything in writing!
Columbia catering, print services, facilites, etc. are by far the most unreliable services in all of Manhattan. To avoid crazy price increases, have everything in black and white.

Overall, the Conference was a great success. We are now working on sending out a feedback survey to get ideas for improvement for next year's survey. We also want to send out formal thank yous to our keynote speakers and panelists. Then we are ready to start planning next year's Conference.

We took our AVPs, Annie and Jessica out to dinner the other night. First of all to thank them for doing such an amazing job. We really could not have pulled the event off without them. Lime Leaf, yummy thai food! Very excited. The dessert was excellent! But on a more serious note, we also told them that if they do not want to take on the Conference next year, they should decide by January. If they don't want to be VPs of Conference, we need to traning someone else, so it's important they let us know.

As VPs of Conference, I have received the most notable exposure to company contacts and faculty and administration. I introduced the Dean and shook his and as I walked off stage and he walked on. I introduced the CMO of Amex, who thanked ME for the "generous introduction". Marketing companies who recruit all know me because I asked them for money, and was the key contact for them in relation to the Conference. In the future, I can say, hey, remember I organized the Conference and spoke to you before? All in all, the process was sometimes frustrating and painful, and looooonnnngggg, but the outcome was very rewarding. I do not regret for one moment that I took this project on and I would recommend it to anyone, without hesitation. That said...boy am I glad its over! :)