"This
is the best conference for marketing professionals in the
software and services industries. It's an excellent mix
of strategic advice and real-life case studies from companies
that have done it right."
Possibility pulses through marketing in a way it never has before.
As the tech industry matures in a post-bust world and hunts for its next
wave of growth, the locus of innovation is shifting toward the marketing
department. Indeed, marketing leaders are on the verge of three dramatic
transformations.
Putting the Customer Front and Center
First is marketing's role in changing corporate culture from product-out
to customer-in. Marketing's job today is to immerse itself in customer
needs so that it can use customer input and insight to guide the research
and development process.
"[The] goal is
to have the customers so involved in the business they feel they
are important players in the enterprise's success, which of course
they are."
Second is marketing's elevated role in the
business. Historically relegated to the supporting cast, tech marketers
in the enterprise are stepping up to provide guidance around corporate strategy,
partnership alliances, and M&A,
as well as shaping the company's overall agenda regarding investors, employees,
and customers.
"No more sitting in the
back and saying, 'Oh, I know how I'll help: we'll do a new brochure!'
This is a great opportunity; step up and lead your company. It can't
just be your CEO."
Third is the transformation of marketing communications from one-way broadcasting
about features and functions to interactive dialogue about business solutions.
For marketers, this means abandoning the command-and-control mentality and
tapping new communication channels that let customers speak for themselves.
"It's an epidemic, how
insincere and obscure business communications have become. But, at the
same time, look at how quickly blogging has taken off. Blogs are an extension
of normal, open, honest conversation—the opposite of corporate-speak."
—Brian
Fugere, Partner and former Chief Marketing Officer, Deloitte Consulting;
co-author, Why Business People Speak Like Idiots
Marketing on the Verge provides an opportunity to network with senior
services and solutions executives, industry thought leaders, and seasoned marketing
practitioners all invested in exploring the new possibilities for marketing
success.
For the specific topics we'll explore at the conference, please see the agenda
below.
"The speakers at ITSMA's
2004 Annual Conference provided great data and insight into coming trends.
I took a lot of useful information back to my job."
Join the ITSMA EventConnect Community. After registering for Marketing
on the Verge, you can connect with other attendees
in advance of the conference thanks to a powerful networking tool called ITSMA
EventConnect. This online service is especially useful for scheduling meetings
with people you don't want to miss at the conference in November.
How It Works.
When you register for the conference, you will be added
to ITSMA EventConnect, and you will receive an email to setup your complimentary
account.
In order to get the most out of Marketing on the Verge, complete your profile
to match, search, connect, share, converse, and schedule meetings with others.
Start the learning early! Experts from ITSMA and MediaLive International
will lead two half-day workshops on Monday, November 7.
Mining Markets of One: Growing Your Business with Account-Based
Marketing (1:00 - 5:00 pm)
Dive into the specific information, resources, and commitment you'll
need to ensure that your account-based marketing program leads to new
business and stronger relationships with key accounts. More
Info
Invigorating Live Marketing: New Approaches to Connecting with Communities (1:00
- 5:00 pm)
Join
representatives from Avaya, Cisco, and Wingate Studios to learn how to
get the biggest bang for your buck at public conferences and trade shows,
user groups and internal events, and smaller events such as seminars.
More
Info
The conference is designed especially for marketing leaders responsible
for developing, managing, marketing, and selling technology-related services
and solutions.
Anyone involved with the following activities will gain inspiration
and insight:
Strategy
Planning
Branding
Communications
Business development
Customer relations
Partner relations
Services or product management
Most of all, the conference is designed for marketers with an open mind
and a drive to succeed in the collaborative future.
"This is always
the best conference of the year. It provokes new ideas and take-aways
that enhance my ability to improve our services marketing organization
and communicate with our management."
—Matthew
Irwin, Diebold
*Please note: Group discounts are available. Contact ITSMA for
details.
Eat, drink, and be merry. Sponsored by MediaLive, the Welcome
Reception will be held on Monday evening, November 7, from 5:00-7:00
pm.
Join us after your long day of business or travel to relax, enjoy complimentary
hors d’oeuvres and beverages, and meet with old friends and new
acquaintances in the elegant setting of The Charles Hotel. All conference
participants are invited to register, pick up conference materials, and
enjoy a casual networking activity to socialize and meet other attendees.
ITSMA will present the winners of the Eighth Annual ITSMA Marketing
Excellence Awards at a special awards dinner on Tuesday evening,
November
8. Award categories for 2005 include:
Workshop B:
Invigorating Live Marketing: New Approaches to Connecting with Communities
Moderated by: Bev Burgess, Vice President & Managing Director, ITSMA Europe
Leslie Brand, Vice President, Marketing, MediaLive International
Guest Speakers: Julie McCan, Director,
Services Marketing, Avaya
Kathy Sulgit, Senior Manager, Event Marketing,
Cisco
Tom Karren, General Manager & Vice President, Technology,
Wingate Studios, a division of MediaLive International
5:00-7:00
Conference Welcome
Reception & Pre-Registration
Sponsored by
Tuesday, November 8, 2005
7:30 am
Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30
Conference Opening:
Marketing on the Verge Dave Munn, President & CEO, ITSMA
Steve Hurley, Vice President,
Learning & Performance Excellence,
ITSMA
9:30
Defying Gravity: Avoiding Irrelevance
in a World of Idiot-Speak Brian Fugere, Partner & former Chief Marketing Officer, Deloitte
Consulting; co-author, Why Business People Speak Like Idiots
10:15
Networking Break
10:45
Does Your Mother Know What You Do For
A Living? Confessions of a Career Marketer
Gail Rigler, Vice President, Global Marketing,
EDS
11:30
Tackling the Leadership
Challenge: Marketing Transformation at Mercury Carole Gum, Senior Director, Corporate Marketing, Mercury
12:15 pm
Lunch
1:30
Understanding the Buying Cycle: Mapping
Marketing to the Decision Process Julie Schwartz, Senior Vice President & Chief Research Officer,
ITSMA
2:15
Break
2:40
Marketing’s Top Challenges: Breakout
Groups
Account-Based Marketing: Aligning
Marketing and Sales to Grow Top Accounts Bev Burgess, Vice President & Managing Director, ITSMA Europe
Relationship-Based Marketing: Focusing
Marketing on Long-Term Loyalty Steve Hurley, Vice President, Learning & Performance Excellence,
ITSMA
Idea-Based Marketing: Organizing Marketing
Around Ideas and Innovation Rob Leavitt, Vice President, Marketing & Member Advocacy, ITSMA
3:40
Refreshments and Networking Break
4:00
Panel Discussion: Maximizing Return on
Live Events
Moderated by: Eric Faurot, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Technology
Media Group, MediaLive International
Managing the Total Customer Experience:
Integrating Marketing for End-to-End Satisfaction Sami Hero, Vice President, CMO Operations, SAP
5:30
Day One Wrap-up Dave Munn, President & CEO,
ITSMA
5:45
Personal Time
6:30
Networking Reception
7:00
Dinner
8:00
Presentation of ITSMA's 2005 Marketing
Excellence Awards
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
7:30 am
Continental Breakfast
8:30
Opening Remarks: Marketing
on the Verge, Part II
Dave Munn, President & CEO, ITSMA
8:45
Pandemonium and the Rise of Digital
Influence Larry Weber, Founder & Chairman, W2Group; Founder, Weber Shandwick
Worldwide
9:30
Panel Discussion:
New Tools for Connecting with Customers
Moderated by:
Rob
O’Regan,
Editor, CMO Magazine
Guest Speakers: Lisa Arthur, CMO, Akamai Technologies Ed Brill, Business Unit
Executive, Worldwide Notes/Domino Sales, IBM;
blog publisher, EdBrill.com
Brenda Crawford, Director, AT&T Marketing Positioning,
AT&T
10:15
Networking Break
10:45
Integrated Customer
Management: From Concept to Category to Culture
Charles Born, Vice President, Global Marketing, Amdocs
11:30
Connecting with Customers: Targeting
Business Needs Through 1:1 Marketing Karen Walker, Vice President, HP Services Marketing
12:15 pm
Lunch
1:45
Outsourcing Marketing: Keep the Core
and Outsource the Rest
Jessie Paul, Chief Marketing Officer, Wipro Technologies
2:30
Sharpening Competitive Differentiation:
Keeping It Simple Philip Oliver, Acting Group Marketing Director for Fujitsu Services;
Vice President, ITSMA
3:15
Closing Remarks and Conference Wrap-up Dave Munn, President & CEO, ITSMA
3:30
Conference Ends
Please note: ITSMA reserves
the right to make changes or substitutions to this event.
Hotel accommodations are the responsibility
of the registrant. A block of rooms has been reserved on a first-come,
first-served basis at The Charles Hotel. We encourage making arrangements
as soon as possible to ensure room availability.
Room Rates:
Please contact the hotel directly for room
reservations. Indicate that you are attending ITSMA's Annual
Conference to receive the special rate of $249 per night (Single/Double),
available until October 21, 2005. For other area hotels, please
contact the concierge at The Charles Hotel.
Hotel Information:
Known
as Boston's most original luxury hotel, The Charles Hotel is
simple, stylish, and smart. Located in Harvard Square, Cambridge,
the heart of the nation's intellectual and cultural center, The
Charles offers unobtrusive service, award-winning restaurants,
and contemporary décor in a historic yet energetic setting.
Blending tradition, education, and international diversity, Harvard
Square's dynamic offerings are just outside the hotel's front
door. World-class performances at The American Repertory Theatre,
Harvard's prestigious collection of museums, the best in ethnic
dining and erudite cafes, and unique shops all contribute to
the area's legendary appeal.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Any cancellations or substitutions must be in writing and forwarded to
ITSMA, 420 Bedford Street, Suite 110, Lexington, MA 02420 or via email
to cjefferson@itsma.com. Nonattendance without written cancellation
prior to the event will incur the full event fee. No refunds will be
made for cancellations received less than 15 days before the event.
You may cancel your enrollment up to 30 days before the start of the
event and receive a full refund or apply the full fee toward a future
event. Cancellations received less than 30 days before the event are
subject to a $250 cancellation fee. You may request a refund of the
remaining balance or apply it toward a future event.
Satisfaction Guarantee
ITSMA guarantees your complete satisfaction with this event. If you are not
satisfied, we will provide you with a full refund of your money or provide
a credit towards another offering.
About ITSMA
ITSMA specializes in helping companies market and sell services and solutions.
As a membership organization, we work with the world's leading technology,
communications, and professional services firms to generate new business, strengthen
customer loyalty, and increase brand differentiation. Through research, consulting,
training, and community we provide the insight companies need to improve marketing
impact, sales performance, and business results. ITSMA is based in Lexington,
Massachusetts, and has offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, and
Japan. Learn more at www.itsma.com.