Joining the Calgary Marketing Association Board of Directors

In November 2016, the Calgary Marketing Association (CMA) asked me to attend a cocktail mixer. Since I cannot pass up free food and drink, especially when it’s at a renowned chophouse, I obviously attended.

The Calgary Marketing Association, not to be confused with the Canadian Marketing Association, is the hub for Calgary’s vibrant and growing marketing community. Now, to take a step back, before my boss introduced me to it, I didn’t even really know it existed. I’ll chalk it up partly to being new to Calgary, and the CMA’s low profile in digital promotion of itself.

Fast forward to January 2017, and I was ecstatic when CMA President Cidnee Stephen reached out to me with an invite to join the CMA Board of Directors. Didn’t take me long to say yes!!!

Here are some reasons why.

5 Reasons Why I Joined the CMA Board of Directors

1. I love the marketing industry, and I love to see communities within marketing thriving. I also want to help develop talent in any way I can. The quicker our industry moves forward (think innovation, data-driven insights, and pure marketing leadership), the more respect that marketing will demand. And that means we all win.

2. I think one of the reasons Cidnee and team asked me to join was because of my Digital Marketing and Ecommerce experience. If we’re looking to attract millennials (i.e. students and young professionals) we need a solid digital strategy and a sound tactical roadmap. This is right up my alley.

3. Vision, Mission and Values: How often in your professional career do you get to put an imprint on defining those critical aspects for an important non-profit organization like the CMA. Sitting in a room with 10 other highly skilled, dynamic, and respected marketing professionals, while hammering out what the CMA will stand for in the next few years and beyond is quite an honour. After 2 sessions and 8 hours of brainstorming and strategizing, we came up with the underlying reasons for the existence of the CMA. And that is pretty cool.

4. Networking and Talent Acquisition: I love networking and thought this would be an amazing opportunity to develop a network in Calgary, much like I’ve done in Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. So far, so good. Also, I am always looking to scout out good talent for a potential current or future hire to join the growing Mark’s team. I am hoping to meet some interesting people, and quite possibly work beside them one day.

5. Personal Brand: Anytime I can be associated with a respected organization like the CMA, it no doubt helps my personal brand as well. Through my blog and social medial channels, the CMA will provide an outlet for me to share my own brand and experience in helping to create a marketing hub in Calgary. And for that, I am thankful.

 

Have you attended a Calgary Marketing Association Event? Do you plan on attending in 2017? If so, check out the CMA Events Calendar.