LMA Midwest is one of the largest chapters in the country with approximately 300 members in metro Chicago and now providing programming for Indianapolis, Milwaukee and metro Detroit. Our monthly programs consistently attract a wide range of law firm professionals from small to large firms, including CMOs, marketing and business development directors and managers, marketing coordinators, and other professional service marketers in addition to attorneys, marketing consultants, vendors and media representatives among its membership.
LMA Midwest is seeking speakers to present educational programs that provide conceptual, tactical and applicable advice for its members to take back to their firms and put into practice. Programs are held monthly in Chicago and Indianapolis and quarterly in Milwaukee and Detroit. We request that proposals include programs for both Chicago and Indianapolis, which can be scheduled on consecutive days and give consideration to presenting in Milwaukee and Detroit.
What LMA Midwest Offers Presenters
New Voices & Diverse Perspectives
LMA Midwest is committed to bringing dynamic speakers and innovative programming to the legal marketing communities. To create opportunities for introducing new voices and diverse perspectives, we give speakers the opportunity to interact with a lively, enthusiastic and intelligent group of legal marketing practitioners, marketing partners, consultants, vendors and often, media representatives. In addition, LMA Midwest welcomes veteran marketing professionals who are constantly updating and developing new, state-of-the-art materials.
Presenter Requirements
Fresh Topics & Original Spins
LMA Midwest is looking for new, innovative topics and presentations to bring to our members. Below is a broad general list of topics that are of interest to our members:
- Alternative Billing Strategies
- Alumni Programs
- Budget Planning
- Business Development and Research
- Client Service Initiatives
- Competitive Intelligence
- Cross-Selling
- Effects of the Current Economy in a Law Firm Context
- Firm Finances
- Internal Communication Strategies
- Integrated Marketing Communications
- Key Client Programs
- Lead Generation and Recognizing Opportunities for Law Firms
- Management Skills (Employees, Departments)
- Marketing and Leveraging Firm Diversity
- Practice/Industry Group Marketing
- Preparing RFPs and Presentations for Impact
- Professional or Personal Development
- Public Relations and Crisis Communications
- Sales Training / Coaching
- Sales Management in a Law Firm Context
- Strategic Planning at the Firm or Marketing Department Level
- Technology
- Web site Strategies and Content
To submit your proposal, please follow the directions outlined below.
Contact Information
Submissions must include: Presenter name(s), presenter(s) title, firm/company, mailing address, phone and fax numbers, e-mail address and company web site address.
Program Information
Submissions must include: Title of program, detailed overview of program content, educational concepts that proposed program will cover, and the program goal and format (e.g., panel, interactive workshop, multi-media, co-presenters, etc.) and the city groups to which you are willing to present. The following should be included:
- Describe why your proposed program will be of benefit to our members.
- Detail the take-away(s) that members will receive from attending your session.
- Provide three to five practical learning objectives and clearly explain how your session answers the questions (a) so what? (i.e. ?so what - I have heard this information before; what?s unique about your presentation?) and/or (b) now what? (i.e. now that I?ve learned/know this what do I do?)
- Specify the level of audience experience for which you believe your program is best suited (senior/significant experience, mid-level or entry-level).
- A brief description of the program suitable for the chapter's promotional notices to chapter members.
Proposal Requirements
Biography
Include a brief resume or biographical sketch for all of the proposed presenters. This description should be suitable for the chapter?s promotional materials about the program.
References
Include three references of recent speaking engagements.
Length of Program
Monthly programs consist of about 30 minutes for networking. Programs run approximately one hour and 15 minutes. However, there may be opportunities for longer, more in-depth sessions, half-day workshops or full-day programs. Please note in your submission e-mail if your proposed program exceeds one hour in length or could be suitable in an expanded format.
PowerPoint Presentation
In order to cover a topic in depth and leave time for questions and answers, PowerPoint presentations should consist of no more than about 20 slides. If you are notified that we have accepted your proposal, we must have your PowerPoint presentation to the LMA Midwest Program Chair no later than one (1) week prior to the program date. The Program Chair reserves the right to make recommendations about the presentation content and to request that changes be made to better suit the chapter's needs. LMA Midwest will photocopy your handout materials.
Handouts & Practical Take-Aways
LMA Midwest members want skills and tools they can use immediately. The LMA audience understands the practical theories and issues facing the legal marketing industry and is looking for you to present SOLUTIONS. The ideal program will include practical advice, tips, shortcuts and real world examples. In addition, programs must include value-added reference take-aways such as checklists, outlines, copies of PPT presentations, articles or lists of suggested further reading that support the presentation and can help attendees implement the concepts presented.
As stated, handouts and other materials must be received at least one (1) week prior to the program date and LMA Midwest reserves the right to request that changes in the presentation be made before distribution to attendees at the time of the program. LMA Midwest will be responsible for duplicating handout materials for distribution. LMA Midwest is NOT responsible for copying or other expenses incurred for speaker material preparation by the speaker or by outside services.
Fees and Expenses
LMA Midwest is a member-sponsored organization. As such, we do not offer honorariums or speaker fees. LMA Midwest will reimburse speakers for transportation expenses only to include direct coach airfare, ground transportation and lodging expenses (subject to pre-approval.) There is a cap on travel reimbursements so please contact the LMA Midwest Program Chair for the monetary allowances for each city and for hotel discounts and recommendations.
Proposal Delivery
E-mail your proposal (Word document or PDF format) to Jennifer Morrison, 2010 President and 2009 Program Chair, LMA Midwest at jcmorrison@uhlaw.com. Please include the words ?Response to 2010 RFP? in the subject line of your e-mail.
Proposal Due Date
The deadline for submission is Monday, November 30, 2009. We may choose not to consider proposals for the 2010 program year received after this date.
Other Important Information
LMA Midwest programs are non-commercial forums. Under NO circumstances will an LMA podium be used for direct promotion of a presenter?s product, service or monetary self-interest. Sales pitches disguised as presentations will be immediately eliminated.
Selection Notification
The LMA Midwest Program Committee will select the 2010 presenters and will notify all submitters of their decisions as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you.