Networking Group Day 2014

50 members made the cold, snowy trek to join MSAE for our second annual Networking Group Day on January 30th, 2014. It was a great way to kick off 2014, showcase and participate in six of MSAE's networking groups, connect with members and share ideas. Here are the top takeaways from each Networking Group discussion:

Allied Networking Group

Making Meaningful Connections

• Send more personalized cards. Check out www.sendoutcards.com. It is a great tool to utilize.
• Be prepared -- do your homework and know your audience.  What makes you unique. 
• Be allies -- refer to your competition, use them as a resource.

Working with Third Party Planners

• Building trust/relationships between third party planners, CVB's and vendors. 
• Third party planners save (vendors) clients time!

Communications Networking Group

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM)

• Use Google tools: Google +, Google Reviews, Google Authorship, etc. They exist to help you.  
• Make sure you know the difference between SEO and SEM.
• Have specific goals for your website defined by Google Academy.

Communicating to a Dual Audience: Members and the Public

• Sell the experience! Put an emphasis on photography.
• Evaluate your Resource section. Typically this turns into your website's "junk drawer." Make sure it is actually resourceful. 
• Entice. Don't put up barriers. Make non-members want to become a member. Give sneak peeks. Tease.

Financial & Accounting Networking Group

MN State Compliance Issues

• Webinar Sales Tax - think about it, call your congressperson!
• 1099 reporting - make sure any new vendor is issued a W-9.
• Dealing with various states / Nexus sales tax issues - every state is different, research what is required.

Ask Your Financial Questions

• Audits - IRS, MN sales tax, unemployment. You know they exist, so know how to be prepared.
• Positive pay service - helps protect organization from fraud.
• From 990 changes in 2013. Get familiar with the updated form.

Meeting Management & Education Networking Group

Taking Meeting Risks that Benefit Attendees

• Innovative engagement - before, during and after events.
• Let attendees guide the agenda. 
• Rethink your Annual Meeting. Use different methods to "get through" the business portion of the meeting.

Creating Successful Awards Programs

• Use technology to make it personal for the winner.
• Garnering nominations - when is the best time to ask for them? Use technology.
• Partner with a similar organization to review the nominations to decide on the winners. Could be within your state, or with a different chapter in another state!
  

Membership Networking Group

Customizing the Membership Experience for the Generations

• Use social media with mission to delight. Don't forget logos.
• Current and relevant fonts and facts.
• Keep message short and sweet. Add infographics!
• Find out what members will get out of it right now. Tailor message to calling vs. paycheck.

Competing with Free, Members for Life

• Keep up with and update technology. Do you have a mobile app?
• Be proactive. Show why you are a resource for your members - interact with your members.
• You are your members. Who is your website for?

Young Professionals Networking Group

Redefining the Term Young Professional

• Define first - is a young professional based on age or experience or something in between?
• Have current members or young professionals help recruit new young professionals
• When you don't think you are a young professional anymore, it's your choice to opt out.

How to Have Difficult Conversations

• Take emotion out of the conversation
• Be prepared - plan ahead of time for your conversation. Practice what you are going to say.
• In person, on phone or e-mail? Consider how the person prefers to be communicated with and what will be most effective. 

For more information on MSAE's Networking Groups, visit www.msae.com/networking.