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Over a number of conferences I have been at lately, one of the hallmarks of all of them was what could I do for them rather than what I would learn from the conference. Once the marketing folks realized that I would not provide them with anything, it is like we no longer exist. Reminder to marketing folks – there is always next year and I have budget control.

The worst mistakes that I have seen with conference marketing folks is that as long as they think they can get something from you, they want to be your best friend. When the reality sets in that I really can’t sponsor the conference this year and I am lucky to attend because times are tough and I paid my own way to your conference that these same marketing people seem to forget all about you. I have standing invites to meet with marketing folks from two different conferences now that we have budgeted to help sponsor next year, but try to get them on via e-mail, social networking, or even carrier pigeon, POTS, or anything else it is like we just simply do not exist anymore.

Marke