MEET OUR SPEAKERS


​Pete Brand has a passion for digital marketing and for teaching others how digital marketing can help them to start, run, and grow a successful business. His thought leadership on Inbound Marketing has helped many companies not only create and execute strategic marketing plans but also set goals and achieve marketing success (with a significant return on investment). With nearly 20 years of experience, Pete is an expert in the areas of; content strategy, SEO, blogging, social media, and Inbound Marketing methodology.   ​

​Meet John Utter, the Senior Vice President at Constellation Brands in the Beer Division. He is responsible for the revenue and profit in the 15 State Central Area. He has worked in the beer industry for over 20 years with multiple companies including Beck’s Brewery, Barton Beers, Crown Imports, and Constellation Brands. He will be speaking about what marketing tactics Corona has chosen and why. ​
​Kate Lieto is the Director of Marketing at Experience Grand Rapids, the Destination Marketing Organization for Kent County, MI. Nicknamed the “Collaboration Queen” she leads the organization’s collaborative efforts, as well as brand promotions and partnerships. Kate will be presenting on how Grand Rapids came to be Beer City USA and Experience Grand Rapids marketing role in that process.

​
​Steve VanWagoner is the Director of Marketing and Media Relations for the West Michigan Whitecaps. Prior to the Whitecaps, Steve spent 12 years with Celebration! Cinema as Vice President of Marketing Public Relations. He began his career with Meijer stores where for 23 years he was a leader in Operations, Human Resources, Marketing, and Consumer Affairs. He will be speaking about defining your mission: what your audience should know about you.

These are our competitions 


At our regional conference we will have three different competitions.
​
Perfect Pitch: The AMA-Enterprise Perfect Pitch competition is a 90-second interview-style role-play competition in which you position yourself as being "right for the job." Like an elevator pitch competition, your goal is to provide 2-3 key selling points on why you'd fit in Enterprise, and then support these qualifications with examples. There is one round of this competition, and afterward you may get asked a question or two about yourself! There will be cash prizes available for the first place winner.
Click here for more information about Enterprise

Marketing Strategy: Come prepared to think on your feet and wow the judges with your marketing acumen and presentation skills. Like the Marketing Strategy Competition at the AMA International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans, this is a competition where a team of two individuals receive a 1-page mini-case based upon a new brand.  You will have 20 minutes to create a strategy to solve the problem within the case before going in front of a judging panel to present your ideas. The oral presentation will be seven minutes max with no visual aids.  You will also be expected to answer two questions on your strategy. The best presentations will advance to a second round. Prizes and certificates will be awarded.


Sales: There will be two rounds to the sales competition. The rounds will be 8 minutes long. At this time unfortunately we do not have more information, but as soon as we get more we will be sending out direct emails.

CHECK OUT THE AGENDA

Thank you to our sponsors