3MSC

Ya no hay vuelta atrás,lo sientes. Y justo entonces intentas recordar en que momento comenzó todo, y descubres que todo empezó antes de lo que pensabas. Y es ahí, justo en ese momento, cuando te das cuenta de que las cosas solo ocurren una vez. Y por mucho que te esfuerces ya nunca volverás a sentir lo mismo. Ya no tendrás la sensacion de estar a... 3 metros sobre el cielo.

34th AMA International Collegiate Conference

Sheraton Hotel

New Orleans, LA

3/22/2012 8:00 AM  - 3/24/2012 10:00 PM

Joining the American Marketing Association and attending AMA International Collegiate Conference two years in a row, was one of my best investments during college, money wise and time wise. The theme of the 34th Annual International Collegiate Conference was “Marketing: Always Evolving.” The main purpose of the conference and the workshops was to demonstrate students how marketing the 4 P’s has evolved and changed over the years. For example: products are more advanced, prices are cheaper, placement is now online, and promotion is done through social media. For this reason, new tools for marketing are changing the way marketers do business, and this conference was helpful to teach students how to keep up with social media and new technology tools that are extremely important now a days for the success of a business. Speakers that presented ranged from McDonald's, YouTube, Google, Pearson, Carnaval Cruise Lines, Enterprise, Macy's, Harrah's, to Northwestern Mutual. Topics ranged from social media, to landing a career in marketing, to the changing landscape of marketing.

On Thursday, March 22^nd, we started the conference by going to the T-Shirt Social Scramble where students from all the participating AMA chapters had to wear the t-shirt from their university, socialize with other students and sign their names in little cards with dots of different colors in order to submit that card and participate in the raffle of an iPad. However, the real main purpose of this event was to socialize with students from other universities and learn from them in order to expand our network. Then we went to the “Parade of Chapters Line-Up;” this was the official kick-off event where a representative of each university had to walk on stage and cheer for their chapter. Then, the keynote speaker, John Militello, Head of Creative Innovation at Google/YouTube, showed us videos in YouTube that demonstrated how the advertising behavior has changed, and how the traditional advertising does not work anymore due to the fact that everything is moving faster in the digital revolution. Nevertheless, Google/YouTube is using this as an opportunity to fuel innovation in the digital world. Then, we went to the “Collegiate Chapter Exhibits” where some of the AMA Collegiate Chapters had the chance to be creative and present in a tradeshow fashion style all of their accomplishments of the past year. After looking at their exhibits we had to vote for our favorite booth on a ballot card that came in our badge holder.

On Friday, March 23^rd, we woke up early to pick up the official AMA Collegiate Conference t-shirt. At 10:00am I attended the Carnival Cruise Lines workshop, the theme was “Evolution at Carnival: Fun Ship 2.0” and was presented by their Vice President of Customer Marketing, Rob Borden. He explained how Carnival’s approached changed over the years. They realized that Carnival needed to update and modernize. One of their decisions included hiring George Lopez and had him choose the comedians that would work on their cruises. At 11:00 am I attended the “Beyond Green Marketing: Why Today’s Environmental and Social Challenges Demand More” workshop presented by Rich Bruer, President of his own company, R. Bruer Company. This was my favorite workshop because he introduced a new concept of green marketing that made more sense than the one given by the American Marketing Association. He mentioned that marketers sometimes mislead consumers by making them believe that consuming environmentally friendly products is enough to become “green” but in reality it is not because at the end of the day, you are still consuming, and that is the main issue. The new concept of green marketing includes sustainability; he explained that sustainability is not a market but a way of doing business. Some early green leader companies include Nokia, Nike, and Patagonia. All of these workshops were helpful because marketing professionals shared with us their wisdom and experience about the way they achieved success in marketing and this would help us to prepare for careers in specific marketing fields. Then, we went to the career fair luncheon, and at 1:00p we attended Jim Reed’s workshop called “Maintain Your Chapter Synergy!” where we learned about improving our teamwork skills and build a spirit of cooperation in our chapter. At 3:00pm I attended Nate Riggs’ workshop called “12 Disruptive Technology Trends that are Changing How Marketing Works.” Nate Riggs is the Director of Social Business from The Karcher Group, Inc. He taught us how to use new social media tools for brand communication and how to use disruptive technology to our advantage. At 4:00pm I went to the workshop called “Marketing to the New General Market – How the Changing Demographics of America Are Challenging Everything We Knew About Marketing” presented by Carol E. Koepke, Senior Marketing Director of McDonald’s USA. Carol explained us how McDonald’s has changed its marketing strategies in order to stay relevant to today’s consumers. In the United States only, McDonald’s has 59 million consumers, for this reason it is important for them to know very well the market that they serve, lead with ethnic insights, and grow the business by being better instead of bigger. In order to reinvigorate the brand, McDonald’s decided to introduce a modern menu with healthier options, and they launched the global campaign “I’m loving it” translated to all the languages where they operate. What I found interesting about this workshop was that McDonald’s tried to do a joint venture with Starbucks because they wanted to offer their coffee to its customers. But, Starbucks rejected McDonald’s so they launched McCafe. In addition, Carol taught us the things winning brands have in common: to listen carefully, move emotions, speak honestly, and tell authentic stories.

On Saturday, March 24^th, I had to attend the 9:00am mandatory meeting for all the participants of the Northwestern Mutual Sales Competition. I competed at 9:20am. The product I was selling was a “laptop support” and the slogan was “thin, flexible, and mobile.” My customer was Alexandra Sankey and the scenario took place at her office, where I met her after scheduling a meeting. I was selling my last 10 laptop supports, and I was giving her a 66% discount on the retail price. The main advantages of the device were that it was ergonomic so it helped improved the posture of her employees, saving them time and money since they were going to take less breaks to rest; it helped the laptops to have a natural airflow since the device did not let the laptop get in touch with the desk, making it last longer due to the reduced heat; and it was mobile so employees could work from their office, home or other places if they travel. I got a very positive feedback from the judge; she really loved my presentation and the product, and asked me if that product really existed. I told her it is in the market but not too many people know about it. Also, she liked that I told the customer that I would come back with a new product and give it to her at a cheaper price if she referred me to her clients. I did not make it to the top five, but a friend of mine from Florida International University did. At 9:30am I attended the workshop “Tips for Hosting a Regional Conference” presented by Ferris State University, SUNY New Paltz, and San Marcos University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. At 10:30 I attended the “Enhancing Your Programming to Maximize Your Chapter” presented by Ferris State University and SUNY New Paltz. At 11:30am I attended the “Social Media 101” workshop presented by Jeff Zelaya, Florida International University alumni, and previous winner of the Northwestern Mutual Sales Competition. Jeff is an AMA Young Professional Member and Social Media Marketing Consultant. At 12:30pm I attended the workshop called “Tips for New/Revitalized Chapters” presented by our college, SUNY New Paltz, and Western Connecticut State University. After that, I finally had time to rest and walk around the French Quarter, so I went for lunch with Kristin and Alexandra to the French Market and ate crawfish. At 6:00pm we attended the Awards Banquet where our chapter, SUNY New Paltz, made it to the Sweet Sixteen, and won the Bronze Collegiate Chapter Award out of 152 universities.

This was an amazing experience, it was great to see people that I met a year ago in the same conference, it was great to work so hard on the Northwestern Mutual Sales Competition, it was great to network with students from other universities and learn about their chapters, it was great to attend the workshops given by marketing professionals and be reminded of how technology is advancing so fast, and the importance of keeping up with those changes in order to be successful at the workplace. It was just great to be part of the 34^th American Marketing Association International Collegiate Conference and share those moments with my peers, faulty advisor, Dean of the School of Business, and their wives. I feel privileged to have attended this event at New Orleans.

My itinerary for the American Marketing Association conference

34th Annual International Collegiate Conference 

Sheraton Hotel  
New Orleans , LA    
3/22/2012 8:00 AM  - 3/24/2012 10:00 PM  

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

 

T-shirt Competition

» 6:00–10:00 pm
» Outside Napoleon CD123, 3rd Floor

Stop by to look at all the creative shirts entered
in the T-shirt Competition. Use the blue ballot card in your name badge holder to vote on your favorite. You will be required to list your name and school – then the school you are voting for. This makes it fair for the schools that bring 4 members or 40 members! Drop the ballots off during the Exhibit session. (Deadline: 10:00 pm). Winners will be announced at Friday’s Competitions Ceremony and will get reserved seating at Saturday’s Awards Banquet.

Parade of Chapters Line-Up

» 6:00-6:15 pm
» Outside Napoleon D123, 3rd Floor

To participate in the opening Parade of Chapters which kicks off the 7pm Opening Kickoff and Keynote, send one representative from your chapter in order to get in line. Students arriving after 6:15pm will not be allowed to participate in the parade. You are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing to represent your chapter or school.

Opening Kickoff and Keynote

» 7:00–8:30 pm
» Napoleon AB123, 3rd Floor

Hosts and Conference Co-Chairs:
 

Tim Birrittella, Florida International University

Lauren Skinner Beitelspacher, Portland State University

Welcome: Gail Zank, Collegiate Chapters Council President, Texas State University- San Marcos

Keynote Address

Systematic Chaos Fueling Innovation in a Digital World
 

John Militello, Google/YouTube, Head of Creative Innovation/the ZOO

Advertising behavior has changed, and traditional advertising no longer works. Google and YouTube are partly responsible for this change and perfectly positioned to create the new model. However, everything is moving faster in the digital revolution. Learn how Google/YouTube is using the chaos to fuel innovation in a digital world.

Collegiate Chapter Exhibits

» 8:30–10:00 pm
» Napoleon CD123, 3rd Floor

Presented in trade show fashion, the exhibits offer AMA Collegiate Chapters the chance to be creative and show off accomplishments of the past year. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend and interact with exhibiting chapters. Vote for your favorite booth with your yellow Student Choice ballot card (located in your badge holder).

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2012

Conference T-shirt Pick-Up

» 8:30–10:00 am » 3rd Floor Foyer

Pick up your official AMA Collegiate Conference T-shirt! Don’t forget your T-shirt ticket (located in your badge holder) in order to receive your T-shirt.

Experience Speaks!

» 10:00–10:45 am (Concurrent sessions) » 11:00–11:45 am (Sessions repeated)

Established marketing professionals share their wisdom and experience with students. Learn how these individuals have achieved success
in marketing, the realities of the profession, and what you can do to prepare for careers in specific marketing fields.

Marketing the Bacardi Trademark in Today’s World

» Maurepas, 3rd Floor
Gordon Chisholm, Brand Director, Bacardi USA

Learn how the iconic Bacardi brand has evolved to continue bringing people together for over 150 years.

Beyond Green Marketing: Why Today’s Environmental and Social Challenges Demand More
» Nottoway, 4th Floor
Rich Bruer, President, R. Bruer Company

Many companies talk about green marketing, but few companies are actually doing it well. This presentation will discuss some of the ways that marketers can become more involved in social and environmental issues, as well as highlight opportunities for career paths in this field.

Career Fair Luncheon

» 12:00–3:00pm
(Lunch will be available from 12:00 – 1:00pm)

» Napoleon Ballroom, 3rd Floor

You need a job, right? We’ll have corporate recruiters who can’t wait to talk to you about their available career opportunities—so don’t miss this chance to get your career started!

Maintain Your Chapter Synergy!

» 1:00–2:45 pm
» Gallery, 1st Floor

Jim Reed, CEO, Jim Reed Consulting

Members of a chapter’s leadership team are invited to attend this session, designed to build a spirit of cooperation and teamwork within your chapter. It’s one of the most popular conference sessions from recent years. Participants must pre-register onsite at Jim Reed’s table, by the Third Floor registration area. Sign up early— space is limited.

Experience Speaks!

» 3:00–3:45 pm (Concurrent sessions) » 4:00–4:45 pm (Sessions repeated)

12 Disruptive Technology Trends that are Changing How Marketing Works
» Grand Couteau, 5th Floor
Nate Riggs, Director of Social Business, The Karcher Group, Inc.

In this fast-paced talk, you’ll gain firsthand knowledge of how these new social media
tools apply to brand communication, customer experience and creating buzz that will help you position yourself as a young professional ahead of the curve. It’s time to take your marketing career to the next level, and learn how to use disruptive technology to your advantage.

Marketing to the New General Market- How the Changing Demographics of America Are Challenging Everything We Knew About Marketing

» Borgne, 3rd Floor
Carol E. Koepke, Senior Marketing Director, McDonald’s USA, LLC

McDonald’s is the leader in the food service industry. How do they keep on top even during these tough economic times and remain relevant to an ever changing consumer? During this fast paced and dynamic session, learn about how one leadership brand has evolved it’s marketing to stay relevant to today’s consumer. With plenty of real world examples, this session will demonstrate how integral marketing is to any company’s vision for the future. There will also be plenty of time for Q & A, to ask a seasoned marketing professional directly about the career path you are looking to embark on!

SATURDAY MARCH 24, 2012

Northwestern Mutual Sales Competition

» 9 am–1:30 pm
(9:00 – 9:15 mandatory for all participants) » Gallier A/B, 4th Floor

Note: This session is open only to attendees who pre-registered for the Sales Competition and received confirmation prior to the Conference. Winners will be announced at the Awards Banquet.

Leading Your Chapter to Success

» 9:30–10:15 am

Benefit from the insights of peers and advisors, and learn the Best Practices other chapters have used to gain success! (Presenters, please arrive 15 minutes prior, to set up.)

Tips for Hosting a Regional Conference

» Bayside A, 4th Floor
Moderator: Florida International University Ferris State University
SUNY New Paltz
Texas State University – San Marcos University of Wisconsin – Whitewater

Leading Your Chapter to Success

» 10:30–11:15 am

Presenters, please arrive 15 minutes prior, to set up.

Enhancing Your Programming to Maximize Your Chapter
» Nottoway, 4th Floor
Moderators: Ron Drozdenko, Faculty Advisor Bowling Green State University

Ferris State University SUNY New Paltz

Leading Your Chapter to Success

» 11:30–12:15 pm (Concurrent sessions)

Presenters, please arrive 15 minutes prior to set up.

Social Media 101– Jeff Zelaya NEW!
» Oak Alley, 4th Floor
Moderator: Florida International University

Special Guest: Jeff Zelaya, AMA Young Professional Member, and Social Media Marketing Consultant

Tips for New/Revitalized Chapters NEW!

» Oak Alley, 4th Floor
» 12:30–1:45 pm
Florida International University
SUNY New Paltz
Western Connecticut State University

Awards Banquet

» 6:00–8:30 pm
» Napoleon Ballroom, 3rd Floor

Business attire or appropriate cocktail attire required! (Suits, including ties and jackets for men, dress shirts, slacks, nice shoes, business suits for women, or appropriate cocktail dresses and shoes.)

Join the Collegiate Chapters Council as they present awards to the AMA Collegiate Chapters for excellent work completed during the year. The recipients of the Platinum Chapter of the Year, AMA Student Marketer of the Year (Sponsored by Macy’s), Northwestern Mutual Sales Competition, Hugh G. Wales Faculty Advisor of the Year Award, and Lifetime Achievement will also be announced. Dinner will be served buffet-style. Buffet closes at 7:25 pm.

Recipes!

Peach Cobbler

Ingredients

• 4 cups peeled, sliced peaches
• 2 cups sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• Ground cinnamon, optional

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/peach-cobbler-recipe/index.html

Chocolate Cupcakes and 

Peanut Butter Icing

Ingredients

• 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk, shaken, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons brewed coffee
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup good cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Kathleen's Peanut Butter Icing, recipe follows
• Chopped salted peanuts, to decorate, optional

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chocolate-cupcakes-and-peanut-butter-icing-recipe/index.html

Chicken Piccata

Ingredients

• 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• All-purpose flour, for dredging
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-piccata-recipe2/index.html

 

 

 

Favorite Grey's Anatomy quote!

"A couple of hundred years ago, Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success. Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which you can do today. This is the man who discovered electricity. You think more people would listen to what he had to say. I don't know why we put things off, but if I had to guess, I'd have to say it has a lot to do with fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just of making a decision, because what if you're wrong? What if you're making a mistake you can't undo? The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine. He who hesitates is lost. We can't pretend we hadn't been told. We've all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about wasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day. Still sometimes we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore. Until we finally understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant. That knowing is better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping, and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beat the hell out of never trying."

Summer 2011 in NYC

Sometimes we think that if we prepare ourselves psychologically, we would be ready for what is coming up next... whether it's a moment of happiness or sadness. Some people think that when a loved one is about to leave... they would be ready to say good-bye. But truth be told, we never are. 

We are never ready to say good-bye to the people that we love. You may get used to having people coming in and out of your lives. There is that saying "people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime." I have met so many people that have made an impact in my life, specially since I came to study to New York. And this is how I will get to my point of how this summer began. 

In the fall 2006 when I first came to NY as an exchage student, I had the blessing of meeting an amazing group of people who eventually turned into my family during that semester and we are still in touch. I have met with few of them recently in NY and last Thursday one of them came to Manhattan. She was one of my best friends and she still is, even thought we don't talk too often. She is the type of friend that no matter what, when you see her it is like the time never passed by and everything is the same. 

Deborah, my brazilean friend, who lives and works in London, came to NY for vacations with other friends of her from Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. After spending two days with her, walking through Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum, Upper East Side, Soho, South Street Seaport, West Village, and Time Square, I realized I wanted to become fluent in Portuguese so I could visit her after she goes back to Brazil and be able to hang out with her exactly like we did in NY. This time when I said bye to her on Memorial Day at the Seaport, for the first time I wasn't sad. I was actually very excited because I got this feeling that I would see her very soon, whether it is in NY, London, Rio de Janeiro, or Guayaquil. 

At the same time, during that weekend I spent all Friday and Sunday night with Elin. She is my friend from Malmo - Sweden and she came to NY this semester for an exchange program called the International Institute of Business (IIB). She is two years older than me but has the energy of someone so much younger than me. It's funny because she is always complimenting me and telling me that I am an amazing girl who is always happy and with a lot of energy. What she doesn't realize is that she's the one who gives me all this energy. She's a party girl and a trooper! I came to love all the IIB students from Mexico and Sweden so much, and thank God for technology because now I know I won't lose contact with them. On Sunday night when Elin and other friends were with me at the 230 fifth avenue rooftop, I got a little bit emotional, I was about to cry when I hugged her to say good-bye. But then I stopped myself from crying and told her not to cry because we would be roomates in NYC after I finish my MBA and she comes back to work. So at the end, this was not a good-bye but a see you soon!

This is how I spent my Memorial Day holiday in the city that never sleeps. I love New York Ciry so much, and I love all the great people I have met so far in New Paltz and NY in general. There is so much history; and there are so many stories and memories that I will always keep in my heart. Forever.