Arts Reach National Arts Marketing and Development Conference

	Thursday, October 8, 2009 Patron Technology's E-marketing E-mersion E-vent – Arts Reach Edition Online marketing is getting more interesting every day -- here's your chance to immerse yourself in the world of technology and learn the most important things you can do to maximize your success. In this challenging economic time, getting your e-marketing right can make a huge impact in your organization's bottom line. With best practices for e-mail marketing campaigns and Web site planning, clever uses of Facebook and Twitter, and an introduction to new operations-enhancing Web-based CRM systems, this full-day workshop will provide you with real data and tools to make substantive improvements to the way you're currently operating and marketing your organization. *Level: intermediate to advanced knowledge of e-marketing.*

9:30-10:15 a.m.	Opening Session: State of the Online Patron PRESENTER: Steve Brock, founder and president of Blue Bear LLC Your arts patrons and their online behaviors are changing -- at a faster pace than ever before. In this kick-off session, we'll share key results from the 2009 Patron Technology Arts Patron Tracking Study, which focuses on arts patrons' Internet usage and their attitudes toward online promotion and marketing. We'll compare this year's results with three previous years to point out the latest trends. You'll get a sense of where arts marketing has been and where it's going, and you'll be able to generate new ideas to drive your mission forward more effectively and at a lower cost.
10:20-11:20 a.m.	E-mail Marketing: The Least Sexy (but Most Effective) E-marketing Tool Out There PRESENTER: Eugene Carr, President, Patron Technology If you are doing e-mail marketing now, you know it wins hands down when it comes to motivating site visits, e-commerce transactions, and donations. But all too often, marketers now take e-mail for granted and don't keep up with the latest tips and techniques to build lists, target campaigns, and get the best open rates. This advanced e-mail marketing session offers up case studies and specific how-to tips you can use right away to make sure you're getting the best results. We'll also remind you about the basics of the CAN-SPAM law so you can make sure your organization is following all e-marketing laws and best practices.
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Keynote Session: The Internet Revolution (You Don't Know About) and the Future of Arts Management PRESENTER: Eugene Carr, President, Patron Technology There's a technology revolution going which will change how your organization manages its relationships with patrons, ticket buyers, and donors. This forward-thinking session will describe why the golden age of technology for non-profits is nearly here.
12:30-1:30 p.m.	Lunch on Your Own
1:30-2:45 p.m.	Seven Characteristics of Breakthrough Arts Web Sites PRESENTER: Steve Brock, founder and president of Blue Bear LLC Patrons have spoken up about what they love -- and hate -- about arts organization Web sites. It's time for your Web site to be more than a calendar of upcoming events or a box office window. When done right, it can be the ultimate "power tool" that reflects your organization's essence, inspiring your patrons and attracting a new audience. We'll share what real patrons had to say about a wide variety of arts sites, and we'll discuss pitfalls to avoid and best practices that you can put to work on your own site.
2:45 -4:00 p.m.	Fans, Friends, and Followers: Facebook & Social Media PRESENTER: Michelle Paul, Business Development Manager, Patron Technology The growing popularity of social networking and social media is inescapable, and more and more of your patrons are joining in. These communication channels can be a fantastic new way for arts organizations to connect with audiences, but just like any other marketing technique, there's a right way and a wrong way to go about it. With all the generalized information and advice out there, it can be hard to find tips that are relevant to the arts, and that's what this session will provide. We'll focus particularly on Facebook and Twitter, providing essential tips about what you should be doing -- and what common mistakes you need to watch out for.
4:00-4:30 p.m.	Open Mic Q & A Patron Technology's E-marketing E-mersion E-vent will also be held in New York on Thursday, September 12th. For more information: www.patrontechnology.com
	Eugene Carr, founder and president of Patron Technology, has for the past two decades been an innovator in the management of arts organizations, and a pioneer in marketing them on the Internet. His unique combination of non-profit and corporate management experience provides him with a distinct insight into the needs of cultural organizations and their audiences—and how these translate into new online products and services. Mr. Carr founded Patron Technology in 2001. Patron Technology, an online marketing software and consulting company, serves the arts and not-for-profit industries with cutting-edge technology and e-marketing expertise. The company’s main product, PatronMail, is a Web-based e-mail marketing system used by over 1,600 institutions in all 50 states and nine countries. Mr. Carr is the author of three books on e-marketing: Wired for Culture: How E-mail is Revolutionizing Arts Marketing (Third Edition) (2007), Sign-Up for Culture: The Arts Marketer’s Guide to Building an Effective E-mail List (Second Edition) (2007), and Web Sites for Culture: Essential Principles for Great Arts Web Sites (2005). Carr was also published in the 2006 DM News Essential Guide to E-Mail Marketing.
	Stephen Brock is founder and president of Blue Bear LLC, a marketing research company focused exclusively on website marketability and usability. Since 1999, Blue Bear has provided clients such as American Express, Procter & Gamble, Ford Motor Company, Discovery Communications and Lowes Home Improvement with key insights into their online visitors' needs, frustrations and aspirations, using Blue Bear's patented technology and methodology. Steve's arts interest stems from his MFA in opera performance, arts administration and arts board leadership roles in Cincinnati, where he is based.
	Michelle Paul, Business Development Manager for Patron Technology, manages the development of Patron Technology's new products and services. Most recently she led the team that handled the conceptualization, development, and launch of Patron’s arts-oriented Facebook application "i'll go!." She now serves in a similar capacity for PatronManager, a product now in development. Michelle has a BA in Classics from Wesleyan University, where she was a stage manager for many productions and served on the board of Second Stage, the school’s student theatre organization.