12 replies to this topic

[Jill]

The Search Marketing Association of North America (SMA-NA) will be having a meeting on Wed March 2 in the Sutton Room of the Hilton New York (Same venue as SES)between 6:30 and 7:30PM.

There will also be representatives from:

SMA-UK (United Kingdom)
SMA-EU (European Union)
SMA-LA (Latin America)

and the SMA-JP (Japan) and SMA-ANZ(Australia / New Zealand) are rumoured to be planning attendance, as well...

[randfish]

I will see you there Jill, I hope to start on a path that will lead to greater cohesiveness for our industry. We're such a friendly bunch, it makes sense for us to be friendly together

[Jill]

Actually I won't be there. I'm leaving earlier that day. I was just posting it here because Ian has posted it in the other thread about the conference, but I figured it deserved a nice spot in this category!

But I WILL see you in the bar...probably tomorrow night?

[randfish]

Yes, see you in the bar tomorrow night Does everyone hang out in the Bridges bar, or do they use the lobby lounge? Also, I tried wirelessly connecting and they want $0.25/minute... Seems a bit unreasonable for a Hilton (to me).

Oh, I also apologize for not being nearly as handsome nor as humorous as my erstwhile Avatar. I always try to get tickets to see him when I come into town, but you have to call 6-9 months in advance

PM me if you're there tonight, BTW

[Scottie]

We seem to end up in both... Bridges is dark and gets a little noisy, the lobby bar is good if you actually want to see and hear the people you are with. And if one is full, try the other!

Too bad on the Hilton cashing in on Internet service... that was a nice feature last year.

See ya tomorrow!

[GregOne]

I'm going, hopefully see you guys there.

[mcanerin]

I'll see everyone there - any HR folk can feel free to wave me over and introduce yourself - I'll see what I can do about introducing you to others in turn

I look mostly like my avatar except I was healthy when that picture was taken

Thanks for moving the SMA post to another thread, Jill! It's easier to find now

Ian

[randfish]

Ian - Great job running the meeting and organizing the SMA-NA. I think there are some exciting places this organization can go. The crowd was a lot of great people and I was generally happy with the organizations direction. I hope to see the press pick up (on blogs, forums, etc.). I'll probably be making my personal decision about joining in the next 4-5 days.

Ian put a phenomenal amount of work into this, and whichever way it goes, he is to be commended - great job buddy!

[Bill Slawski]

I'll second that.

Ian did a wonderful job in organizing, and presenting information about the SMA-NA.

One major announcement made at the meeting was that the SMA-NA now exists legally as an actual incorporated body. Again, that's largely due to Ian's efforts.

There was a wonderful showing of support for the organization from Andy Atkins-Kruger and Mike Grehan of SMA-UK, and Mikkel deMib Svendsen of SMA-EU, and many other excited and enthusiastic folks who attended.

One point that was raised at the meeting is that it is the members of the organization that will ultimately define the goals of the SMA-NA, and not the working group members who have joined together to create the Association.

Getting involved at this point will enable you to help set the goals of the SMA-NA, and enable you to help build something that will benefit the industry, and the members of the organization. The first person to join officially as a member at the meeting raised the point that he wanted to be involved in this initial step so that he could someday point back to the moment to his children and grandchildren with pride at what he had helped set forth into motion.

Another topic raised was on educational efforts of the organization, and the creation of a special interest group that involved academics and students, and educational opportunities for members of the association.

I expect that Ian will be along at some point to provide more information, but I wanted to also extend my kudos for his efforts so far to bring this group from an idea into an actual organization.

If you have questions about the organization, I'm sure that they will be addressed here if you raise them, but you can also register at the SMA-NA site without first becoming a member, and ask questions there, also.

[Jill]

Thanks for the update on the meeting, guys!

Ian, congrats on what sounds like a job well done!

[DianeV]

I would have liked to hear the presentation, and look forward to hearing more.

[Craig B]

I would have liked to hear the presentation, and look forward to hearing more.

Ian,

Please keep us updated on any SMA-NA anouncements and events!

Thanks,
Craig

[Googlewhacked]

Definitely sounds like a solid success! I wish I could have made it. I'm dashing off to the SMA-NA site right now...

I do have one burning question though: did anyone sing the "sma-na, sma-na" song?

(I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself, what with it being Friday afternoon & all...)