As usual, Emma’s got big plans across these United States to participate in conferences, sponsor events, and share email marketing tips & best practices. And the fall’s no different — from Chicago to Denver, Scottsdale to Dallas, Emma staffers are braving bag-check fees and peanut allergies and that guy who insists on putting his seat back and all sorts of other travel perils to make an appearance at a town near you. Here’s what’s on our itinerary — say hello if you’ll be there, too, or check out some of the discounts we’re able to offer through our sponsorships. Cheers!

MarketingProfs Digital Marketing Mixer
October 21-22 :: Chicago, IL

Our good friends over at MarketingProfs have put together another solid event with great content that will help you generate new ideas for your business. If you’re in the Chicago area and want to swing by and say hello, click here to register and take advantage of the $200 discount they’re still offering. Also, don’t forget to come by our booth and say hello to Emma’s Sara McManigal and Megan Feltes, who will be representing our gal at the conference.

Texas eMarketing Summit @ Innotech
October 29 :: Austin, TX

Emma’s latest satellite office recently opened in Austin, so we’re thrilled to be a part of this event for the technology and marketing community in Texas. Our very own Jim Hitch will be giving a presentation on elements of stylish email design at 9 AM, so be sure to sign up for that if you can. You can also say hello to Jonathan Gesinger, who’s heading up our efforts in Austin. If you are interested in attending, use the discount code PR9EMS for the special full-day discounted price of $65.

Building B-Schools Symposium
Nov 2-4 :: Scottsdale, AZ

If you work for a business school and are interested in learning new skills and strategies to grow your school, this workshop-style event may be right up your alley. Emma’s Steve Turney and Megan Feltes will be around to answer any questions that you might have. Be sure to click here and use the event code BSDC09 for an early registration discount.

TechJournal South’s Internet Summit
Nov 4-5 :: Raleigh, NC

This event in lovely Raleigh helps marketers and entrepreneurs hear the latest trends in internet marketing. Annie Williams, Emma’s Director of Business Development, will be participating on a panel about best practices in the email marketing realm. If you are interested in attending, we’ve got five tickets to share and we can also offer the VIP code “emma50”, which is worth $50 off your registration. If you’re interested, please drop me a line. You can also register and learn more about the Internet Summit by clicking here.

Rocky Mountain DMA Workshop
Nov 4 :: Denver, CO

Join Emma’s Gina LaMar and Suzanne Norman for a morning workshop sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Direct Marketing Association filled with great tips and advice for creating your next email marketing masterpiece. If you are in the Denver area and are interested in attending, click here to register and get directions.

Enterprise LAMP Summit & BIG LAMP CAMP
Nov 6-7 :: Nashville, TN

Enterprise LAMP is an event unique to Emma’s hometown of Nashville, TN. The event is being organized by Marcus Whitney, part of the Emma emeritus team and air hockey champion extraordinaire. Nashville’s ever-growing technology community has expressed a need for an event like this one, so we are thrilled that we can help sponsor. The first day of the event will focus on the overall impact that Enterprise LAMP has had on CTOs from around the country, while day two’s BIG LAMP CAMP will focus on teaching many developers the ins and outs of LAMP. If you are a part of the Nashville Technology community and want to attend, please be sure to use our special discount offer when registering. Use the code 2009EMMA and you will receive $75 off of your registration or $25 off your BIG LAMP CAMP ticket.

If you have any questions about these upcoming events or want to know how you can get more info about the types of sponsorships we do, please feel free to let me know.  Happy trails!

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:: The Better Late Than Never Edition ::

Emma and Adobe recently co-presented AIGA’s Think Tank Conference in Nashville. This conference may have been just a one-day event, but boy, did it a pack a punch. With 4 main sessions, the speakers included the dynamic duo, Jennifer and Ken Visocky O’ Grady, Dave Werner, Ian Dapot, and the lovely Paula Scher, who closed the day out.

Here at the Emma office, we were especially floored about this event, as it was the first design conference that our entire design team has been able to attend. Everyone on our team had such inspired and varying feedback, that it seemed only appropriate to share the love:

Lauren Johnston: The part that particularly stuck out to me was emphasis on process work, brainstorming, and research to initially organize design ideas. Usually, I mess around with my design on the computer until I get something I like. A lot of the speakers chatted about the importance of  sketching and mindmapping to really hone in on a particular thought. Then, taking your process work to the client helps to communicate the design direction more clearly.

Researching seemed to be a key part of the process as well. Paula spoke about researching particular environments and spaces before designing it. Ken and Jenn chatted about the importance of researching the clients company and style to have a more successful outcome. I really enjoyed the conference overall. It really inspired me to get moving on some projects and to revisit my portfolio.

Daniel Brown: There was a lot that really stood out but I think one of the main things for me was the IDEO guy [Ian Dapot] saying that he only likes 1 thing out of 10 that he does. So, DO a lot. I can be inclined to not do something if I don’t think it will turn out well but that’s a bad way to look at it. You never know when something will take a turn for the awesome, so the more you do, the better your chances are of making something great.

Jennifer Crigger Kasdorf:
• As designers, we generally take criticism about our work more than the average person. Use the criticism as a way to grow and to see your designs in a new light. - Jenn & Ken Visocky O’Grady
• Problem-solve in creative ways. Sometimes we do need breaks, so take them! You might be surprised with the results. - Jenn & Ken Visocky O’Grady
• “The Harder I work, the luckier I get.” - Thomas Jefferson (Dave Werner)
• Self-promote. Be honest. Be yourself! - Dave Werner
• Be inspired by your work. - Ian Dapot
• Sometimes you have to design through the problem to see the solution. - Ian Dapot
• Find new ways to create, new ways to be passionate about your work. -Paula Scher
• Create for you. - Paula Scher
• Surprise yourself. - Paula Scher

Jessica Saling: I really liked Paula Scher when she discussed creating a distinct style. At one point, her brand identity for the Public Theatre was ultra-successful. People liked it so much they actually starting mocking the style all around the city. While this was a compliment to Paula, it destroyed the brand. After the style caught on to many designs around town, the Public Theatre lost its presence.

This really spoke to me to always think about the context your work is displayed. Design can change its effect with the time or place. Designers need to always see the whole picture and not just the design. Also, while design can be effective at one time, it can quickly lose its effect if we don’t pay attention to what changes around us.

Elizabeth Williams: I was really impressed with the varied perspectives of each speaker. They each brought something different and thoughtful to the table without too much overlap.

I feel that the motivation to take risks is what I really took away from the conference. A couple of quotes I enjoyed: one from Ian Dapot who encouraged us to start, “exploring what you don’t know, NOT exploiting what you have”, and one from Albert Einstein via Jen and Ken reminding us that, “Imagination is more important than knowledge”. It’s easy to fall into the same routines and tricks that you feel comfortable with, but it takes much more courage and gumption to build upon the ideas stored in the “probably absurd zone” of your brain. So, three cheers for risk taking motivation!!!

Kelly McClain: During the Q&A discussion, someone asked all the speakers to share a piece of advice that’s stuck with them, and one of the panelists said how one of his instructors once told him that “everyone has the same 24 hours.” It’s a nice reminder that if you manage your time properly, you can complete even the most daunting projects – that as long as it’s humanly possible, you have the same amount of time within each day that any other human capable of completing the task would have.

Taylor Schena: I liked with Ken and Jenn’s speech where they talk about how what you contribute is more than just the final piece and with OkayDave’s, where he talked about doing interesting things that aren’t related to your portfolio/body of work. Also, I enjoyed Paula Scher where she talked about how she did work to pay the bills and the work she loved on the side. I think it helps to keep a designer fresh and not burn out.

Jimmy Thorn: I think the thing that sticks out the most was Paula telling me to work the jobs to make money to afford the luxury of doing the projects you really feel strongly about, and to never let a project that you feel passionately about go by the wayside. She said that she would design 135 record covers a year, and be truly happy with five, but those five were her passion projects. I like that.

As for me, one topic that seemed to come up in one form or another, is the fact that a good designer usually spends the least amount of their time on the actual design. I was reminded how many other variables are so important to the design process and when one covers all these other bases, the design usually just flows right out. I believe it was Jenn & Ken who mentioned the phrase, “Design the system, not just the product.” I look forward to focusing more energy on this way of design thinking.

We hope you all enjoy our moments of inspiration and if you’re able to attend Think Tank: 2010, I highly encourage it.

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The Emma crew took a trip to Austin, TX last week for the HOW Design Conference, one of the largest gatherings of design professionals each year. Jessica and Allison went to represent our design team, Steve and Kendrick came to chat with the attendees about Emma and I led a breakout session about designing emails with clear goals (and revenue) in mind. After the conference, I sat down to summarize the ideas that will stick with me for a while. Here are the top five…

1. Creativity transforms the common into the extraordinary. Even the wrist watch has outer limits that are still being explored. Speaker: Rob Walker

2. Pretend like your email’s on the retail shelf. The same elements of humor, the unexpected, the obvious and the quirky are keys to success in the inbox and the store aisle. Speaker: Mitch Nash of Blue Q.

3. Powerpoint gets a bad rap, but it may be for bad reasons. Nancy, from Duarte Design, posed the question ‘Is Powerpoint broken? Or is the way we use it broken?’ It made me think of email marketers that aren’t quite happy with their results. It’s a hard question, but is email what’s broken? Or is it the way it’s being used? Speaker: Nancy Duarte

4. Good copy can (and should) come from bad. Wayne recommends writing the boring version of your headline first, and then creatively translating the idea from there. Speaker: Wayne Geyer

5. Wayne is a cilantro hater. For a good laugh, check out his anti-cilantro website experience.

Did you make it to HOW, too? What ideas will still inspire you long after the shock of 106-degree heat wears off?

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We’re having a great time in Austin at the HOW Design Conference. This week has so much to offer, so we’re doing our best to take it all in - the food, the live music and of course the inspiring conference events. Yesterday I got a chance to do a breakout session about designing emails with clear goals in mind, so I thought I’d share a few links to statistics and stories I told during the presentation.

+ It depends on the industry, but about 50% of folks surveyed by Epsilon said they were more likely to buy in the future if you have an email strategy. Click here to read more.

+ MarketingSherpa and SmartBrief told the story of how adding social networking links to emails can give a big boost to your traffic from those sites. (subscription required) Click here to read more.

+ Hollis Brand Culture and The Sofia, my favorite hotel in San Diego, helped me tell the story of a boutique hotel trying to boost the bottom line by sharing discounts with guests. The team described email as their 12th man. (Thanks for all your help, Amy!)

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Back in March, we told you about an awesome local event we are sponsoring called Ellie’s Run for Africa. Well, consider this your reminder that the event is this Saturday. It’s too late to register online, but if you want to lace up your running shoes for a good cause, stop by and sign up Saturday morning beginning at 6:30 a.m. at Percy Warner Park in Nashville.

Ellie’s Run for Africa all began in 2004 with the dreams of Ellie Ambrose, then a 10-year-old girl from Nashville who had a vision to help families and children in Africa. Her goal was to raise awareness and funding for Africans who need health care, food, water, shelter, education and clothing. Five years into the program, Ellie’s Run has raised over $155,000, helped put more than 420 kids in school, helped build classrooms in Kenya and more.

It is really amazing to me that Ellie’s dedication to her dream has accomplished so much, especially at such a young age. To learn more about Ellie’s Run for Africa and how to get involved with the race itself, visit www.elliesrun.org.

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You may ask yourself on occasion, “I wonder what the folks at Emma are up to this month?” or “I wonder if any of them will be in my town soon?” or perhaps, “I wonder what they’re having for lunch today?” Well, if you are one of those people who ask these questions, or one that talks to themselves, this is for you, question-asking-friend.

If we are coming to your town or you are traveling to one of the events we are sponsoring, please come by and say hello. You may even walk away with some sweet Emma flair (or chotchkies). Below is a list of events that Emma will be sponsoring in May and June with special offers that might help your decision on whether to attend. We will be posting another blog the first week of May for the events that are less time sensitive for registration.

BarCamp Portland
May 1 :: Portland, OR

Barcamp Portland is an unconference put together by folks in the Portland technology community that offers demos, group discussions & networking opportunities with peers.  To learn more about how you can get involved with BarCamp Portland, you can click here for more information.

NAMA’s AIM Awards
May 6 :: Nashville, TN

The Nashville American Marketing Association is holding their “Stand By Your Brand” Awards event at the Wildhorse Saloon in Downtown Nashville. If you are interested in learning more about some of Nashville’s most successful marketing campaigns, click here.

National Restaurant Association Show

May 16-19 :: Chicago, IL

We will be located at booth #5961 on Level 3 of McCormick Place North Hall, so please swing by and say hello.

We also have the opportunity to give away two event registrations that will give attendees access to the exhibit hall and educational sessions. Please contact us to inquire about the special offer.

MarketingProfs B2B Marketing Forum

June 8-9 :: Boston, MA

The theme of June’s event is to “re:charge, re:invent, re:engage” and that is exactly what we hope  everyone in attendance will do. As a sponsor of the B2B forum, we are able to pass along a $200 discount to anyone interested in attending.

If you are going to be in Boston and want to take advantage of this discount, click here and make sure to remember to use the discount code is ESPN7.

Open Source Bridge
June 17-19 :: Portland, OR

If you are a developer interested in open source technologies and plan on being in Portland June 17-19, this event may be right up your alley (literally).

As a sponsor, we can offer a special discount of $100 off of the $250 conference price. Register here and use the code osbemma.

HOW Design Conference

June 24-27 :: Austin, TX

We are heading over to Austin at the end of June for the HOW Design Conference. Be sure to join Jim Hitch, Emma’s Agency Relations Manager on Thursday the 25th at 3:45 to learn how email design and strategy can have a significant impact on boosting your company’s and/or client’s success.

If you are interested in attending the HOW Conference, please remember that you can save $100 by registering here before May 1st.

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Every time a new customer joins the Emma community, Emma plants 5 trees. Our tree-planting parter, Plant-It 2020, does the actual planting. And usually you, blog reader, do the actual deciding where the trees should go. But this this time around, we’re taking matters into our own hands. Somehow or another, March zipped  right past us, before we had a chance to ask folks to vote on where that month’s trees should go. So we’re just going to award the trees to Oregon.

Why Oregon? Well, we like Oregon. We like it so much we have a 4-person office in Portland, all of them working hard for the Emma community on the West Coast.

There were 431 new customers who joined Emma in March, so that means 2,155 new trees to plant. Half will go to Oregon, while the rest go to an equatorial region.

Plant-It 2020 keeps a list of states where they plant, and the only ones that haven’t gotten trees from Emma are Rhode Island and Vermont. This month, something’s gotta give.

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Emma recently made a new friend in Ellie. Ellie is a young girl who, five years ago, was inspired to host a family fun day and 5k to raise money to help meet the needs of people on the other side of the world in Africa. She named it Ellie’s Run for Africa. Well, her dream became a reality and this year has a goal of raising $100,000 by having 1,000 runners participate. 

We’re proud to be a sponsor, but I’m sure you’ll also see some Emma staffers at the event - both as runners and volunteers. If you’re close by, or looking for a reason to visit Nashville, please join us! 

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We at Emma have been working with Donors Choose to help fund teachers’ education proposals that fall outside of regular school budgets. Here’s your chance to  help us, and all you have to give is about 5 seconds.

Emma is trying to help 40 classrooms during 4 days of SXSWi, a festival in Austin, Texas that celebrates all things new media. We’ve placed a not-so-secret message on their lanyards that shows them where to vote. Care to join them?  Vote today for the region and academic subject areas mean the most to you, and we’ll use the results to guide where we send our funding. You’ll be helping kids in no time at all.

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There are all kinds of things to look forward to in October. Cooler weather, of course. Halloween, obviously. Columbus Day, maybe not so much. But we’re also eagerly awaiting the MarketingProfs Digital Marketing Mixer in Scottsdale on October 22-23, where lots of marketers are going to be gathering to talk about email, search and social media. We’re sponsoring the event, but we’re also looking forward to all the sessions, presented in the stylish way that the ‘Profs pull off so well.

If you’re thinking about going, you can save $200 on your registration just because you know Emma and you’re reading this right now. Get more details and register here, or sign up elsewhere and use the code ESPNA08.

And perhaps the $200 you save might be a nice starter fund for a certain Columbus Day party you were hoping to throw?

Technorati Tags: MarketingProfs, Digital Marketing Mixer, myemma.com, Emma

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