I'm just back from the 2010 MarketingProfs B2B Forum in Boston and am, once again, in awe over the intensity of the experience.The intensity comes from a confluence of marketing forces.
One: intellectual. Inevitably, MarketingProfs keynote presentations stretch my mind and imagination, have me reconsidering paradigms and dreaming of the impossible. David Weinberger and Mitch Joel both delivered!
Two: practical. MarketingProfs puts together some of the best quality, most relevant and practical case studies and presentations that I've experienced. [Check out the program schedule for this B2B Forum.] They do so consistently. New this year were pre-conference workshops and I had the honor to sit in on Christina (CK) Kerley's session on Integrating social media into your marketing plan to improve ROI. It was outstanding! Patrick Prothe has a terrific writeup in Showing the ROI in Social Media. What I learned at the Marketing Profs B2B Conference.
Three: social. MarketingProfs events offer so many natural opportunities for participants to have meaningful conversations, interact, learn from one another and deepen relationships developed online. I got to spend time with Sharon Mostyn and Donna Tocci, both Twitter friends, finally met Ron Ploof in person [the firetruck in the picture below is what interrupted his fantastic Video Hot Seat Lab session], reconnected with favorite conversationalists such as CK and Allen Weiss, didn't get enough time with Ann Handley, Deirdre Breakenridge, Beth Harte, Lee Odden and Aneta Hall, and also met new friends.
Four: serendipity. I was unexpectedly invited to offer One on One Twitter Therapy on May 4th. I had the time of my life meeting with four B2B Forum attendees and offering perspective, advice and ideas on how best to use Twitter for business. Thank you, Kathy Bushman!I'll be covering in more detail several of the sessions I attended.
In the meantime, here are a few links that will give you a taste for this event:
+ Definitely read through Ann Handley's recap of the 2010 MarketingProfs B2B Forum: Overheard at the Forum: 30 Lessons for B2B Marketers.
+ Laurie Kinsman writes Why MarketingProfs and #mpb2b need to get their act together*.
+ Peg Mulligan offers MarketingProfs Cinco de Mayo Fiesta: A Case Study on Being Memorable.
+ Christopher S. Penn describes The State of B2B Social Media from MarketingProfs B2B Forum
+ David B. Thomas summarizes B2B case studies in MarketingProfs B2B: Proven Success Stories Integrating Social Media into Overall Strategy.
MarketingProfs, you rock!
