Community Partners are Key to Cause Conference Success

The AMA’s Cause Conference has grown to become the largest partnership conference on the west coast for nonprofits. But, as with any new event, it started small. So, how has this conference grown to be so popular? “Growth has been mostly organic by nonprofit and business support organizations and professional associations,” explains Parker Pike, founder of the Cause Conference. Each year, many San Diego organizations are approached that align with the conference’s target audience; executives in marketing, community relations, new business development, PR and advertising. The partnership, which requires no financial obligation, is an exchange of marketing resources to help both the conference and the Community Partner. “They help us spread the word to their members through their various marketing mediums.” In return, these organizations receive many great benefits surrounding the event, including media promotion, name inclusion on collateral pieces, and presence at the event. In addition, the San Diego AMA extends a discounted rate to the organization’s members to attend the conference.

But it’s not just the promotion that intrigues the partners. USD’s Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research has been a Community Partner for the past four years. “We believe in the conference’s goals to assist nonprofits with their marketing and to teach people new ways to reach audiences and to inspire them to support their organizations,” suggests Laura Stein, Assistant Director for the Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research. The 2010 Cause Conference will focus on the latest marketing and fundraising information to help nonprofits reach new heights despite the recession. It will include topics such as partnerships, social media, public speaking, return on investment, and marketing leadership. “This is a well-organized, engaging and stimulating event. I enjoy catching up with many of my nonprofit colleagues and meeting some new people, too. I believe this conference is time well-spent for any nonprofit professional.”

The 12^th Annual Cause Conference Community Partners:

• Academies for Social Entrepreneurship
• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
• BIOCOM
• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
• Net Impact
• SANDAN
• San Diego Direct Marketing Association (SDDMA)
• San Diego Grantmakers
• The San Diego Foundation
• San Diego Social Venture Partners
• Stay Classy
• TechAmerica
• United Way of San Diego
• UC San Diego Extension
• USD/SOLES Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research
• Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) San Diego

For more information about the AMA San Diego 12th Annual Cause Conference visit the conference website at www.sdama.org/conference.htm. You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn (members only), and Twitter!