As the end of 2003 approaches, things get hopping at CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council (CMBDC). Here's all the latest news from your friends at CMBDC.

Get involved on a national level! Throw your hat into the ring and run for election to the CMBDC Executive Committee as the call for nominations is on. We have several openings for terms beginning in 2004 and we need enthusiastic marketing and business development professionals to contribute to the spirit and energy for which the CMBDC is known! Read more.

Shine the spotlight on yourself, or someone else. Nominate a superb marketing or business development professional (like yourself, for example!) for the prestigious honor of Marketing Professional of the Year or Business Development Professional of the Year. Submit your nomination(s) no later than 12/12/2003. Wondering what it takes to earn this honor? Read about last year's winners.

Award yourself in Miami. Step into the spotlight with the industry's premier marketing recognition event - the Diamond Awards - at the 2004 CMBDC Conference in Miami, Florida March 10-13, 2004. Two new categories have been added: Electronic Marketing and E-Mail Marketing. What will the judges be looking for in these and other categories? Read about it here. Be an Early Bird and enter before 1/5/2004 to save on entry fees.

Have a success story to tell? Soak up some of the spotlight by entering your success story in Best Practices Forum. Categories include Business Development, MCIF Strategies, Name change/Identity/Branding and Sales Culture Development/Incentive Programs. Read more. Winners will be honored at the CMBDC Conference in Miami. Deadline to enter is 1/5/2004.

Need help selling the boss on why you should attend the conference? There are as many reasons to attend the conference, as there are grains of sand on the beach at the Fountainbleau Resort in Miami Beach! Convince your boss to budget for you to attend the conference with just a few of the reasons to attend. Be an Early Bird and register by 2/17/2004 to save.

Why You Should Attend the CMBDC Conference

We probably don't have to convince you that attending the 2004 CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council Conference in Miami Beach, Florida, March 10-13, 2004 will help develop your career, give you great new insight and keep you in touch with the latest and greatest trends. But, we know that sometimes you need to sell your boss on the idea too. The best way to convince your boss it to demonstrate how your attendance at the conference will benefit your credit union with a few great reasons like these:

1) The agenda topics match your credit union's strategic goals. What's on your credit union's strategic plan? Chances are, more than a few of the topics addressed at the conference will help your credit union achieve its goals. Below are just a few of the topics. Check out the complete conference agenda.

• Lending: Will lending be a big focus in 2004? Attend the session "Feel like makin' loans" presented by Patrick Adams, EVP of St. Louis Community CU of St. Louis, Mo.
• Electronic Marketing: Getting your feet wet in electronic marketing? Pick up some helpful guidance at the Pre-Conference session presented by expert Mark Arnold, Sr. Vice President of Neighborhood CU of Dallas, Tx.
• Ambassador Programs: Building a business development ambassador program? Attend the Pre-Conference session presented by Cathy Long, Business Development Manager for GTE Federal CU, Tampa, FL.
• Outsourcing: If you have a small department you probably rely on outsourcing. Hear some tips and techniques from Molly Hevia, Vice President of Growth By Design, a division of Georgia CU Affiliates of Duluth, GA.
• Hispanic Marketing: Many credit unions are starting to focus on this quickly growing market. What are the issues you'll need to know? Find out from Don Casselman, EVP, Financial Marketing Group of Birmingham, AL.

2) You'll bring home new ideas. You'll be networking nearly non-stop - your chance to hear practical ideas that have been proven successful by other attendees you'll meet -- ideas that you can put to use at your credit union.

3) You'll gain insight to overcome challenges. If your credit union is facing a particular challenge, tell your boss that you'll make it your mission to find another credit union professional that has overcome that challenge, and promise a report with details on how the credit union conquered the challenge.

4) You'll develop a network of resources. With all the new friends you'll make, you'll come home with a network of people you can turn to when you need to "pick the brains" of some creative professionals who are in the same boat as you.

5) Let testimonials sell it for you. Show your boss what the attendees had to say [link to conference evaluations page] about last year's conference.

6) Save money when you register by February 17, 2004. The early bird registration is just $725 for members and $995 for nonmembers. Register today.