To Chicago Again

It has been a crazy week. I am appreciating more and more the marketing team of UREC. All I did was come up with ideas, ok proofs and let them know how well things were attended. I really was quite spoiled having someone else figure out the marketing plan, finding promo items, getting things printed, branding with look and coming up with the out of the box ideas to stand out. Yeah – I was spoiled. Now I am doing it.

For our first run: a conference buyer’s packet. When we personally talk to people at conferences and they are really interested in Detroit, we give them this packet. It contains: 1) a 4 page letter explaining how UDW can benefit them in a VERY out of the box way (we call it a “Did he just say that?” approach) with several fonts, text sizes, colors, etc. 2) A NICE writing pen (med black ball point) with our name and website. The pen is real metal, weighted well, writes well, is individually packaged. 3) A Magnet with our logo is our beautiful colors for branding) 4) Business card 5) Testimonial/information CD (not in this run but in future ones) 6) Envelope, large with our logo across the WHOLE thing. I am very happy with the packet but not so happy with the process. It took too long and required way too much of my time. I need a marketing team.

Off to Chicago again. We are on the train. I have one LARGE suitcase full of the Conference Buyer Packets (I had to stuff yesterday – I need a marketing team), my computer bag and one tiny satchel with clothes. It was quite the ordeal to get to the train this morning. It snowed all night. Jeremy got up at 4am to shovel the drive so the car would not get stuck when Jared picked us up. Then the freeway was horrid – people sliding everywhere. There is no chains or studded tires allowed here. That is fine – IT IS FLAT! It was like they had never driven in snow before – even though we have had snow since December. The fun one was the lady in front of us on the off ramp – it was a slight incline and she made the mistake of hitting her brakes. No go – she couldn’t pick it back up again enough to make it up this VERY small hill. Oh well. Jared is an GREAT driver in the snow. We did just fine.

I really like riding the train. I can not see why these went out of fashion. It is perfect for commuting – maybe a bit expensive for everyday but better than flying or driving distances that are in that awkward 4-7 hour drive range. The train is faster than driving and cheaper too (at least to Chicago with all the toll roads). Plus – I can look out the window, talk, eat, work (the train has outlets!), nap, etc whenever I want! I guess I should work a bit…….