Reflections on ICMG 2011

As 2011 swept into action, it did not appear as though the Inter-Company Marketing Group conference (ICMG) was going to make the cut for the busy line-up that was materializing. Then, a conversation with one of our networking partners convinced me to sign up to support some initiatives we had underway. Shortly thereafter I received a call from another networking partner who had several prospective customers lined up at the conference and asked whether I could join in on those meetings as well. I must add, it was not difficult to leave three feet of snow behind and head to Miami either.

The meeting was a great success by all standards from attendance to networking opportunities. Par for the course for ICMG. The true test now is what will come of the meetings and introductions that started in sunny Florida. Now, two weeks later I can start to discern the value of this year's meeting.

First, I was able to field-test the co-marketing story that Disability Insurance Specialists shares with our respective networking partners and was further convinced of the efficacy for each value proposition. Second, our mutual relationships with existing customers and prospective clients were solidified. Third, and most importantly, the meetings at ICMG have led to action steps and several real, new opportunities have been added to the pipeline.

All in all, my assessment is an A+ for ICMG 2011. I suppose it is assured that I will be getting the early registration discount for 2012!