MSA Next Meeting

The MSA Winter Meeting will expand your understanding of social media and how social media can help you increase your sign sales. You will learn how to determine which social sites are right for your company and how to grow your network. Speaker Kathy Sipple will discuss social media in general and LinkedIn specifically: LinkedIn - Increase Sales & Develop New Business.

The meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons, Perrysburg, Ohio, February 16-17. Plan to enjoy the MSA Meeting and then explore Levis Commons, an upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment center with easy access to I-80, I-90, I-75, and I-475. Levis Commons is anchored by such stores as Talbots, J. Jill, Coldwater Creek, and a 12-screen Rave Motion Pictures. Levis Commons restaurants include Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, Poco Piatti, and the Blue Pacific Grill. And when you're not attending MSA events you and your family can enjoy the nearby historic district, Ft. Meigs State Memorial, Three Meadows Pond, or Ft. Imagination at Woodlands Park.

In addition to the great educational programs, the two-day MSA program gives you several opportunities to network with the fine sign people of the Midwest. On Thursday there will be a reception and banquet, after the 2:00 pm MSA Board Meeting (open to all attendees). Friday morning begins with breakfast and an update on what MSA is doing for you and your company. The schedule continues with the social media seminar followed by a working lunch, Making LinkedIn Work For You. You will get online and utilize what you learned during the morning session. Bring your internet access device.

Special ECONOMICAL opportunity for your employees (in Bold on Schedule of Events): We've planned a 9:30 am to 2:30 pm Friday program, so you can have your employees attend the social media seminar and working lunch, without making a commitment to the full meeting.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, February 16
2:00 pm	MSA Board Meeting
6:00 pm	Reception & Banquet
Friday, February 17
8:00 am	Breakfast & MSA Winter Meeting
9:30 am	Seminar: LinkedIn: Increase Sales & Develop New Business Kathy Sipple
12:30 pm	Working Lunch: Making LinkedIn Work For You Kathy Sipple
2:30 pm	Meeting Concludes

Seminars

The seminar LinkedIn - Increase Sales & Develop New Business will give you an overview of the role and importance of social media in building your business. Speaker Kathy Sipple, My Social Media Coach, will share an overview of most of the top social media sites - LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc. - and how they can be best used for business development. The seminar begins at 9:30 am., Friday, February 17.

With over 100 million professionals using LinkedIn for business networking, LinkedIn currently is a top choice for sales professionals looking for new business development opportunities. Our program will therefore focus particularly on how LinkedIn is used for Sales as well as for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) integration.

MSA members will receive an easy-to-complete survey in early January to determine MSA member companies' current social media usage. We will use the survey results to inform program content, adjusting level of complexity or even area of focus, if survey results suggest a change in direction.

The keynote session will include an overview of social media's development and current role in business, how to synergize online efforts with face-to-face networking and meetings, best practices for selecting content to share, and time management techniques for highest return on investment for time spent.

After attending this session, you will know how to:
   Choose which social sites are right for you.
   Share content your network finds valuable and informative and create top of mind awareness.
   Create an effective, optimized LinkedIn profile. Be relevant and easy for your potential clients to find!
   Build your network using some common sense as well as some very creative strategies.

Making LinkedIn Work For You is the working lunch/roundtable session following the morning seminar. All attendees are encouraged to bring their internet access device and to reply to Kathy Sipple as she shows us how to build on the basics covered in the morning session. Advanced techniques covered in the afternoon session will include information on how to:
   Implement advanced network building techniques. Join key LinkedIn groups to grow your network exponentially.
   Activate proven appointment setting techniques to get new business via LinkedIn.
   Manage your time for best results! Build a custom plan that works with your schedule and delivers the highest ROI.

Area Attractions

The MSA Winter Meeting offers the perfect opportunity to visit the shops and restaurants of Levis Commons surrounding the Hilton Garden Inn. For more information, visit www.shopleviscommons.com. Or tour the stately homes and businesses in the Historic District near Louisiana Avenue and Front Street along the Maumee River, www.historicperrysburg.org.

Hotel Reservations

The Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons is a flagship design for Hilton Hotels. The hotel features complimentary internet access throughout the hotel and free parking (6165 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg, OH 43551). Each room has a refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, and large work desk. Visit www.toledoperrysburg.stayhgi.com. Make your reservations at the Hilton Garden Inn by calling 419-873-0700. MSA's special room rate is $99, plus tax, single or double. The MSA room block will be released January 31.

Meeting Registration Fees

	Early Registration(By 1/31/12)	Late Registration(After 1/31/12)
Full Meeting All meals & seminars 2/16-17)	$170	$205
Reception & Banquet - Thursday	$80	$95
Breakfast & MSA General Meeting - Friday	$20	$25
Social Media Seminar & Working Lunch - Friday	$85	$100
Child's Meal at Banquet (Contact office for more information)	$8

How to Register

Click on the link below to download a meeting registration form. Complete the registration form, and mail it with your check to: MSA, 4128 Woodsly Dr., Batavia, OH 45103. Make your check payable to MSA. Note: Registrations must be received by MSA no later than January 31 to qualify for the early registration fee.