Visionary CEO, Richard Edelman leads innovative conference - VISION 2008

    VANCOUVER, May 9 /CNW/ - Nearly 400 marketing and communications
professionals gathered in Vancouver today for the 19th annual VISION
conference hosted by the British Columbia American Marketing Association
(BCAMA). Attendees gained valuable insights from some of North America's most
inspiring industry leaders tackling the theme Marketing Innovation in the
Digital Age.
    Richard Edelman, CEO of the world's largest independent public relations
firm delivered the keynote address "Engaging Customers Through Social
Networks." An experienced communicator, Mr. Edelman has been a visible
proponent for the social media movement and has successfully led his agency in
infusing new media and blogging into public relations.
    "Today's turnout is a testament to the importance of the topic," says
Richard Edelman, CEO, Edelman. "Marketing and communications professionals
realize that they need to be looking for ways to adopt the latest technologies
and to create an authentic and transparent dialogue with customers and today
has provided some valuable insights."
    Traditional marketing and communications strategies continue to evolve
and businesses need to look for new ways to engage their customers. Innovative
brands such as Facebook and MySpace have made a lasting impression on the
industry, building enormous success by pioneering viral marketing methods and
creating innovative mechanisms for online communities to expand exponentially.
    Through VISION 2008, BC marketing and communications professionals had
the opportunity to learn from leading edge organizations and examine emerging
technologies and how these new technologies can be successfully applied to
their companies. Additional presentations included:

    Patrick Hart, Director of Marketing, SAP Canada who explained the system
that SAP Canada has developed for successful B2B marketing.
    Dan Heath, Co-Author, Made to Stick, presented his six key qualities for
making a brand and messaging capture the hearts and minds of customers.
    Ron Bertram, General Manager & Vice President of Nintendo Canada,
explored the experience and lessons learned in marketing the Wii gaming
console.
    Patrick Larouche, Director of Marketing, Sympatico/MSN discussed
engagement metrics and the optimization of online marketing flows to ensure
that customers keep coming back.
    Amrita Sondhi, CEO, Movement Global revealed how her yoga philosophy and
lifestyle translate into branding and business success.

    "We're impressed with the caliber of the speakers and what they have
contributed to this year's event," says Lori Janson, President, BCAMA. "Our
goal is to provide topical events that are relevant and that inform and
inspire marketing professionals to realize business success. VISION 2008 has
achieved this."

    About BCAMA:

    The BC Chapter of the American Marketing Association (www.bcama.com) has
been the province's leading marketing source since 1955. With approximately
500 members, the BCAMA is a non-profit association made possible by a
dedicated team of volunteers including Board Members, Committee Members and
Sponsors. As one of the most highly regarded chapters in North America, BCAMA
was awarded with the prestigious international "Chapter of the Year" in 1995,
1996, "Chapter of Excellence" in 1997, special merits in 2004 and 2006, and a
"Membership Merit Award" in 2007. For more information, please visit
bcama.com.

    /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
    the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca.
    Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
    website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited
    members of the media/

Image with caption: Richard Edelman, CEO, Edelman Public Relations addresses the audience at the British Columbia American Marketing Association Vision conference in Vancouver, BC, May 9, 2008. (CNW Group/British Columbia American Marketing Association (BCAMA))

For further information: Bruce Nunn, BCAMA Vision Director, (604)
331-0995 ext. 108; Susan Boyd, [phone]