5 Reasons to Join Me in New Orleans May 1-3, 2017

New Orleans is on high alert! Thankfully not because of a hurricane this time. Instead, in just one week a force even more powerful will descend on the Big Easy: nearly 500 email marketers converging for three days of education, networking, insight and fun at the 10th Email Evolution Conference. The Email Experience Council (EEC)’s annual event delivers the latest and greatest in everything email – from technology and process solutions, to creative, content, real life success stories and case studies, strategy, state-of-the-channel updates and more.

Returning to the Hilton Riverside New Orleans for the second year running, Email Evolution is the go-to conference for mid- and senior level digital and email marketing professionals seeking ways to enhance campaign and channel performance, take their programs to the next level, or stay abreast of innovations, trends and cutting-edge technology. Its invigorating blend of exclusive content, expert advice, inspiring keynotes and exclusive networking delivers a transformational experience that keeps attendees coming back, and helps big brands cost-effectively retain their customers to keep them loyal as well.

So throw on your beads, bring your toughest email questions, and join us to celebrate this high value, low-cost marketing channel in style May 1-3. Here’s are the top five reasons you won’t want to miss it!

1.  Exceptional Education

Although the main conference program shines with thought-leaders and national brands alike sharing both strategic and tactical expertise, the pre-conference workshop day is a true treasure for those who want a deeper dive into advanced material. I would know, since I planned and co-taught many of those workshops over the years; so although I may be favorably biased, I’ve seen first-hand how the educational resources of this event have been expanded and improved.

This time I’m happy to pass the workshop baton to esteemed colleagues who will be delving into subjects like developing Personas and Customer Journeys, or explaining advanced Testing, Customer Acquisition, and Response Optimization approaches – all geared specifically to email of course! If you’re an email geek like me, you can’t help but marvel at how the channel continues to evolve and grow – and the pre-conference workshops are a great way to get the full benefit of that evolution in a short time.

2.  Real-World Brand Cases Studies and Success Stories

This ain’t no vendor pitch fest or fluffy demo showcase! Far from it. We carefully vetted scores of submissions to select only those household-name brands with a unique, compelling, relevant story to tell about growth, expansion, experimentation and success with email marketing. They’re opening the kimono to share real-life challenges, how they overcame them, what they tried, what worked (or didn’t, and why) and showcasing live examples along with actual results. Where else can you see your peers interactively sharing and modeling the path to success in this channel, and walk away with ideas you can immediately implement?

3.  Unconventional Keynotes

Consistent with its name, one thing I particularly respect and enjoy about this event is that it not only embraces a marketing channel that has undergone significant evolution in a short time, but as a conference it has also evolved year after year. While the event has always enjoyed great representation from industry thought leaders and pioneers, it doesn’t stop there. It goes above and beyond by securing keynote speakers from outside our space too – entrepreneurs visionaries, adventurers and story-tellers who have a journey to share and wisdom to impart that transcends marketing altogether and leaves us thinking bigger than when we arrived. Featured Keynote Speakers this year like Rolling Stones reporter and author Matt Taibbi, Tesla Foundation CEO Keith Kaplan, and The Muse founder Kathryn Minshew have me fired up already!

4.   Vendor Showcase, Demos and Technology Spotlight

Whether you’re at a martech crossroads migrating to a new ESP or just want a glimpse of the latest technical innovations in email, this event delivers. The major players are all there in person, so it’s easy to have a face-to-face conversations or see system and software demos. Furthermore, sessions often showcase new techniques, apps, or value-added providers in the email marketing space you otherwise may not know exist. This event is an excellent “one stop shopping” opportunity for email marketing needs because more providers specific to email sponsor and show up here than at any other conference.

5.  Networking, Food and Fun!

NOLA anyone? Need I say more about this town legendary for food, festivity and fun? Destination aside, Email Evolution goes out of its way to provide a variety of productive peer connections and camaraderie.

The speed networking event on Monday night is a fan favorite, a fun icebreaker missing at most conferences. The main conference luncheons and evening receptions are top notch – no skimpy boxed meals here. And of course, if you want partying into the wee hours, New Orleans’ Frenchmen or Bourbon Streets deliver. Plus, Email Experience Council (EEC) leaders and members are easily identifiable and happy to speak with you about their experiences, or how to become involved in this organization that to many of us, feels a whole lot more like family than work.

Email: ever evolving, always delivering, never boring. That’s what keeps me coming back after more than a decade and stepping up to chair the conference planning committee this year. I hope I see you in New Orleans and if it’s your first time, don’t be shy – come say hello and get a warm, Southern-hospitality-style welcome to the leading community of email marketers.

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