LMA Chicago Request For 2009 Presenters

LMA Chicago is one of the largest chapters in the country with approximately 300 members in metropolitan Chicago and now providing programming for Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Southeast Michigan. Our monthly programs consistently attract a wide range of law firm professionals from small to large firms, including CMOs, marketing and business development directors and managers, marketing coordinators, and other professional service marketers in addition to attorneys, marketing consultants, vendors, and media representatives.

LMA Chicago is seeking speakers to present educational programs that provide conceptual, tactical, and applicable advice for its members to take back to their firms and put into practice. Programs are held monthly in Chicago and Indianapolis and quarterly in Milwaukee and Southeast Michigan. We request that proposals include programs for both Chicago and Indianapolis, which can be scheduled on consecutive days and give consideration to presenting in Milwaukee and Southeast Michigan.

What LMA Chicago Offers Presenters

Our programs offer presenters a platform to showcase their expertise before the nation’s most highly respected legal marketing organization. This is a great opportunity for presenters to gain wider exposure, share best practices and network and with the legal marketing community. LMA Chicago offers you direct access to and contact with marketing decision makers, future marketing leaders, attorneys, and others from leading law firms in the Midwest as well as smaller law firms looking to take their marketing initiatives to the next level.

What LMA Chicago Programs Offer Members

New Voices & Diverse Perspectives

LMA Chicago is committed to bringing dynamic speakers and innovative programming to the legal marketing communities. To create opportunities for introducing new voices and diverse perspectives, we give speakers the opportunity to interact with a lively, enthusiastic, and intelligent group of legal marketing practitioners, marketing partners, consultants, vendors, and often, media representatives. In addition, LMA Chicago welcomes veteran marketing professionals who are constantly updating and developing new, state-of-the-art materials.

Presenter Requirements

Fresh Topics & Original Spins

LMA Chicago is looking for new, innovative topics and presentations to bring to our members. Below is a broad general list of topics that are of interest to our members:

• Alternative Billing Strategies
• Alumni Programs
• Budget Planning
• Business Development
• Client Service Initiatives
• Competitive Intelligence
• Cross-Selling
• Effects of a Down Economy in a Law Firm Context
• Firm Finances
• Internal Communication Strategies
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Lead Generation and Recognizing Opportunities for Law Firms
• Management Skills (Employees, Departments)
• Marketing and Leveraging Firm Diversity
• Practice/Industry Group Marketing
• Preparing RFPs and Presentations for Impact
• Professional or Personal Development
• Public Relations and Crisis Communications
• Sales Training / Coaching
• Sales Management in a Law Firm Context
• Strategic Planning at the Firm or Marketing Department Level
• Web site Strategies and Content

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

Contact Information

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

Program Information

Submissions must include: title of program, detailed overview of program content, educational concepts that proposed program will cover, and the program goal and format (e.g., panel, interactive workshop, multi-media, co-presenters, etc.) and the city groups to which you are willing to present. The following should be included:

• Describe why your proposed program will be of benefit to our members.
• Detail the take-away(s) that members will receive from attending your session.
• Provide three to five practical learning objectives and clearly explain how your session answers the questions (a) so what? (i.e. "so what - I have heard this information before; what’s unique about your presentation?") and/or (b) now what? (i.e. "now that I’ve learned/know this what do I do?")
• Specify the level of audience experience for which you believe your program is best suited (senior/significant experience, mid-level or entry-level).

Proposal Requirements

Biography

Include a brief resume or biographical sketch for all of the proposed presenters.

References

Include three references of recent speaking engagements.

Length of Program

Monthly programs consist of about 30 minutes for networking. Programs run approximately one hour and 15 minutes. However, there may be opportunities for longer, more in-depth sessions, half-day workshops or full-day programs. Please note in your submission e-mail if your proposed program exceeds one hour in length or could be suitable in an expanded format.

PowerPoint Presentation

In order to cover a topic in depth and leave time for questions and answers, PowerPoint presentations should consist of no more than 20 slides. If you are notified that we have accepted your proposal, your PowerPoint presentation must be sent via email to the LMA Chicago Program Chair no later than one (1) week prior to the program date. The Program Chair reserves the right to make recommendations about the presentation content and to request that changes be made to better suit the chapter’s needs. LMA Chicago will photocopy your handout materials.

Handouts and Practical Take-Aways

LMA Chicago members want skills and tools they can use immediately. The LMA audience understands the practical theories and issues facing the legal marketing industry and is looking for you to present SOLUTIONS. The ideal program will include practical advice, tips, shortcuts, and real world examples. In addition, programs must include value-added reference take-aways such as checklists, outlines, copies of PowerPoint presentations, articles, or lists of suggested further reading that support the presentation and can help attendees implement the concepts presented.

As stated, handouts and other materials must be received at least one (1) week prior to the program date and LMA Chicago reserves the right to request that changes in the presentation be made before distribution to attendees at the time of the program. LMA Chicago will be responsible for duplicating handout materials for distribution. LMA Chicago is NOT responsible for copying or other expenses incurred for speaker material preparation by the speaker or by outside services.

Fees and Expenses

LMA Chicago is a member-sponsored organization. As such, we do not offer honorariums or speaker fees. LMA Chicago will reimburse speakers for transportation expenses only to include direct coach airfare, ground transportation, and lodging expenses (subject to pre-approval.) There is a cap on travel reimbursements so please contact the LMA Chicago Program Chair for the monetary allowances for each city and for hotel discounts and recommendations.

Proposal Delivery

E-mail your proposal (Word document or PDF format) to:

Megan Wilroy
2009 President and 2008 Program Chair,  LMA Chicago
mwilroy@foley.com

Please include the words “Response to 2009 RFP” in the subject line of your e-mail.

Proposal Due Date

The deadline for submission is Monday, Nov. 3, 2008. We may choose not to consider proposals for the 2009 program year received after this date.

Other Important Information

LMA Chicago programs are non-commercial forums. Under NO circumstances will an LMA podium be used for direct promotion of a presenter’s product, service or monetary self-interest. Sales pitches disguised as presentations will be immediately eliminated.

Selection Notification

The LMA Chicago Program Committee will select the 2009 presenters and will notify all submitters of their decisions as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you.