June 28, 2006

As a marketer, I'm constantly being pitched to have Marqui sponsor events:

"Janet, it's the only event to cover blah blah blah, Janet, blah blah blah... and our attendees are the decision makers... blah blah blah... real ROI!"

And we all know (when push comes to shove) that our partners in sales would much rather have selling time than booth duty time, so we're prepared to shoulder that delightful responsibility ourselves. 

It's a rare day that I actually look forward to sponsoring an event at which we're only exhibiting.  Give me a speaking engagement and the attendee list, and I will much more likely fork over for a sponsorship. 

Once in a while, though, I am excited to sponsor an event or an organization that really fills a need.  In my opinion, the Internet Strategy Forum works.  The brainchild of Steve Gehlen (also from Portland, Oregon), the ISF is a nonprofit association for managers responsible for driving Internet strategy and implementation for mid- to large-size organizations (members come from such diverse organizations as American Express to Reser's Fine Foods).  In fact, I like the organization so much, I'm also a member.

Here's why:  one of their objectives is to "help bridge the gap between Marketing and IT professionals to improve the chances for success of Internet initiatives."  They have meetings once a month which are available to participate in online. 

We all know marketers and IT folks have much in common (those pesky Internet initiatives), and we at Marqui have built a whole company around freeing Marketers from dependence on IT or other technical resources...  but (as the ISF has admitted) there's a gap to be bridged. 

Frankly, I'd recommend ISF membership to anyone interested in extending an olive branch to their favorite IT person (or Marketer) by understanding them just a little more.

Their annual conference is coming up in a couple of weeks, and they've been able to bring in some stellar speakers.  We happen to be sponsoring the event.  Proudly.  Hope they have internet access there, so I can blog about it "live."  Stay tuned - an olive branch just may be on its way to you.

Posted by at June 28, 2006

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