Every September, when my AMA membership expires, I have to evaluate or make a decision on whether to renew my membership. Since my employer doesn’t pick up the tab, I have to decide: is my membership is worth $250/year of my own money? When I’m feeling analytical, I’ll go check out the Triangle AMA web site’s “Calendar of Events.”

Here’s what I saw coming up…

The American Marketing Association’s Marketing Research Boot Camp scheduled for December 6-8, at the Solution Center off Page Road and I-40 in Durham.

The AMA Boot Camp will provide you and your team with applicable, immediately usable marketing skills, including:

• A solid understanding of what marketing is and how it works
• How to differentiate your products or services from competitors
• What information is necessary to analyze marketing opportunities and select the most promising market segments
• How to organize for, implement, and evaluate a marketing effort

This outstanding program will be facilitated by AMA select faculty, and includes interactive discussions, case studies, and extensive learning opportunities. You can register online here

The Triangle AMA October Social will be held on Tuesday, October 23 from 6-8 pm at Ragazzi’s of Cary. The event is free to attend. There will be soft drinks and appetizers provided and a cash bar. Ragazzi’s is located at 802 Cary Towne Boulevard in Cary (near the Cary Towne Center Mall).

If your job entails managing, working at, and/or justifying tradeshows, you won’t want to miss our monthly meeting on Thursday, October 18 where Eric Burg, President and CEO of Apple Rock Displays, an Inc 500 and Fast 50 Company, will speak to the Triangle AMA about tradeshow marketing and ROI. Apple Rock has worked with over 12,000 customers worldwide, including Lowe's Home Improvements, Tanger Factory Outlets, B/E Aerospace, and American LaFrance. Mr. Burg will speak on the practical aspects of working a tradeshow; including display arrangement, staffing, and closing the sale. He will also discuss face-to-face marketing and the secrets of successful branding.

Well, surely I can’t eat $250 worth of soft drinks and appetizers at Ragazzi’s October social, but if I attend 9 more socials at $25 each, I’ve consumed my membership. If I decide to attend the Marketing Boot Camp as a member, I will save $240, versus the non-member rate. Is this a coincidence or what? ($240 vs. $250 membership cost)