Year-End Note from Columbus AMA President, Jessica Hamlin
This year was special. Looking back, we realize how pivotal it has been for the Columbus chapter. We focused on our strength that makes the Columbus AMA unique – that our chapter truly Connects. As reflected in our new logo, a core desire to Connect: People, Resources & Knowledge has shaped our efforts throughout the past year. You, the membership and guests, are what bring the MarComm community together. It is your experience, your curiosity and your willingness to share with others that creates our chapter’s rich tapestry. We are grateful to have hosted, met and collaborated with all of you throughout the year.
Thanks to Shelli Welch , VP of Membership and her volunteer Bob Sanford of Halo Marketing, we are nearing an all-time high in membership. This fall drive, our chapter was a close second in the entire Midwest division in new members.
Under President Elect/VP of SIGs Debra Pack, we are introducing new Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for2015. As segments of marketing converge, we will offer you stronger and more comprehensive programming through the SIG channels of Interactive Marketing, Innovative Ideas, and Entrepreneurial Spirit.
Columbus has always been well ahead of its time with its spirit of innovation and entrepreneurism growing in parallel to national companies that call central Ohio home. Programming, led by VP Michelle Garrett, has offered us intimate conversations with large companies like Bob Evans and the Susan G. Komen Foundation to home-grown celebrities including Dr. Roger Blackwell and Brad Circone. This January 29, be sure not to miss national speaker Joe Pulizzi of Content Marketing World as he keynotes our Achievement In Marketing awards.
This year, we also began a new collegiate relations initiative led by VP Susan Wagner. Central Ohio has a multitude of top-tier universities, a unique asset for our area. We believe that by building deep relationships with our collegiate AMA chapters that offers personalized career value, we will in turn build a stronger chapter for years to come. We are seeking to charter two new collegiate chapters, strengthen connections with existing chapters and build a network of accessible professional knowledge and experience to all types of student. Our own chapter events are very accessible to students (and professionals!) with pricing ranging from free to $20.
Many thanks to ALL the leadership team for their continued dedication to the AMA. For the daunting task of Communications, Edward McGinnis ; for Community Outreach and facilitation with Franklin University, Christine Allen; for continued guidance, Past President Joel Kohler; and for fiscal fortitude, many thanks to our treasurer Michael O’Brien.
A very special thank you for many years of service to Karen Kaiser – our chapter administrator who keeps us all in line. If you would like to volunteer and become a leader of the Columbus AMA, please email me at president@columbusama.org
Many warm wishes to you and yours. May your new year see new personal marketing milestones and many new AMA friendships!
Jessica M. Hamlin
President