Call for Presentations - LMA Technology Program

LMA Bay Area Chapter 2008 Technology Program -

Back to the Future

Call for Presentations

Program Overview
"Now, the Web is enabling the market to converse again, as people tell one another the truth about products and companies and their own desires" – The Cluetrain Manifesto

Ten years ago, four authors came together to start a new conversation about marketing.  The result was a book called The Cluetrain Manifesto that challenged us all to wake up to a transformation underway in how companies and people engage in the marketplace.  Looking back over the past ten years we have learned a lot about how the web and the Internet have transformed the concepts of marketing, public relations and client service, especially in the legal arena.  What have we learned and what should we be thinking about for the next ten years?

The 10th anniversary of the LMA - Bay Area Chapter Technology Program – 2008 – is coinciding with the emergence of an even newer set of marketing strategies, beyond those introduced by the Cluetrain visionaries.  These new ideas – the New Rules of Marketing – are again challenging the traditional models of marketing and PR, and may possibly change how marketing is done in the years to come.  If you have an interest in talking about some of these exciting trends, in legal marketing areas such as social networking, CRM, business development, PR, event management, business intelligence, IM/VOIP, analytics, graphics, websites, extranets and blogs, we encourage you to submit a proposal to present at this year’s event.

The 10th Anniversary Program, titled "Back to the Future", will (briefly) focus upon the principals of marketing technologies in our law firms over the past ten years, and reviewing emerging marketing technologies for our firms for the next ten years.  We hope to add value to our members by providing them with the most up-to-date knowledge and tools that will aid them in creating long-lasting marketing strategies, so their attorneys can stay ahead of the competition, better serve their clients and have some fun in the process.

This year’s Technology Program is being held on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, at the brand new InterContinental Hotel in San Francisco.   About 100-150 of the Bay Area's top legal marketing and technology professionals attend this day-long event to discuss recent trends in the legal marketing and technology field, showcase new and existing products and share practical strategies on why and how to use the technology.

Presentations are assumed to be substantive (not a sales pitch), and diverse panels reflecting both industry and in-house are encouraged.

LMA - Bay Area Chapter

At the National LMA's Annual Conference in March 2006, the Bay Area Chapter received the "National Your Honor Awards Chapter of the Year" award, and it was due, in part, to the success of the annual Tech Program.  With about 200 local LMA members spread out over San Francisco, Silicon Valley and the East Bay, Bay Area law firms are right in the heart of one of the world's most dynamic and technologically-advanced metropolitan areas.  Members include marketing professionals from law firms and other professional services firms, attorneys, law firm administrators, and providers to the legal profession such as marketing and public relations consultants.

Proposal Requirements

To submit a proposal, please follow the directions outlined below.

Contact Information
Submissions must include: Presenter name(s), presenter(s) title, firm/company, mailing address, phone and fax numbers, e-mail address and company web site address.

Program Information
Submissions must include: Title of program, 150 word description of program content, educational concepts that proposed program will cover, and the program goal and format (e.g., PowerPoint, panel presentation, etc.).  Please expect to present for 60 minutes with 15 minutes Q&A.  The following should be included:

-  Explain how the topic or proposal is unique and differs from that of competitors or from traditional approaches.
-  Describe why the proposed program will be of interest to conference attendees.
-  Detail the handouts (articles, tips, checklists) that members will receive from attending the proposed session.  The handouts should assist the members in implementing the concepts presented.
-  Provide three to five practical learning objectives.
-  Specify the level of audience experience for which the program is best suited (i.e., entry level overview, mid-level, senior/experienced or all levels).

Biography
Please include a brief resume or bio for all of the proposed presenters. If applicable, please include references of recent speaking engagements.

Proposal Delivery
E-mail the proposal to Jonathan Metcalf, Tech Program Co-Chair, at jon@legalcrm.com.

Proposal Due Date
The deadline for submission is Monday, April 21, 2008, and all submitters will be notified no later than Friday, May 9, 2008.

Thank you!  We look forward to hearing from you!

Amanda Stipe
astipe@gibsondunn.com