Annual conference offers exhibitors and sponsors the chance to shine; 24th Annual LMA Conference: recover ... refocus ... reunite.

• Author: Stickel, Amy I.
• Position: Conference notes

During LMA's Annual Conference in Denver, along with educational and networking opportunities, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with sponsors, exhibitors and service providers that will be offering insights into industry trends and showcasing new products and services.

"The LMA Annual Conference is one of two large events we sponsor each year," says David Adams, founder and principal of Clear Impact and one of the sponsors of this year's conference. "It has consistently proven to be an excellent opportunity for us to connect with key people within law firms, raise our brand and visibility and, frankly, have a good time hanging out with friends."

This year, the American Conference Institute has been working with LMA to develop a first-class conference experience for everyone involved. "We're working closely with ACI to make this an optimal experience for exhibitors and sponsors," says Chris Hummel, co-chair of LMA's Service Provider Advisory (SPA) Committee and marketing director for Banner & Witcoff.

As they did at last year's conference in Washington, D.C., service providers will have their own programming track in Denver, according to Keith N. Wewe, SPA Committee co-chair and director of client service and growth for Content Pilot (see sidebar next page, "Service Side Focus at the Annual Conference"). "We want to help service providers better align their services with the 2010 law firm budget," says Wewe.

Another part of the renewed focus at this year's annual conference includes helping exhibitors and sponsors think differently about what they want to achieve. ACI has been working to engage service providers in ways to ensure their success from conference participation, according to Esther Fleischhacker, ACI's business development executive, special projects. "Ultimately a conference is about relationship building. It's about 'What is it I can do to help legal marketers solve their problems?'"

Concep is one sponsor looking to take a fresh approach with a newly redesigned booth and a decreased emphasis on handouts. According to Anthony Green, president of Concep New York, there will be fewer brochures to hand out and a more interactive approach involving an email campaign to attendees. "Every year, we've had more and more success at the LMA Annual Conference," says Green, whose company will be involved with the conference for the fourth year.

Along with his enthusiasm for Denver, Green is also optimistic about the improving...