AMA Birmingham

October Power Marketing Luncheon
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Cindy Fisher Crawford- Editor, Birmingham Business Journal
“What News is HOT in Birmingham”
Cindy Fisher Crawford will delve into the numbers of online readership to show which stories get the most interest from Birmingham business leaders. And, she will share how that information can help marketing professionals make smarter branding decisions.
Cindy Fisher Crawford is editor of the Birmingham Business Journal. In a leadership role at the top business publication in the state for eight years, she has gained inside knowledge and outside perspective on the pulse of the business community. Fisher Crawford will share Birmingham business insights with the AMA chapter on Oct. 21.
Fisher Crawford is a graduate of the University of Alabama and has 17 years of experience in newspapers. She started out her career as a government and education reporter at the Birmingham Post-Herald, where she worked for three years, and then moved to Connecticut to work as a reporter at the Waterbury Republican-American. She later worked for five years at the Daytona Beach News-Journal as a reporter covering governments.
Fisher Crawford, a Tuscaloosa native, returned to her home state to join the Birmingham Business Journal as managing editor in 2007 and was promoted to editor in September 2010. She is the mother of two children ages 8 and 5 and a regular contributor to NPR and Fox 6 news.

November Power Marketing Luncheon
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
You Don’t Have To Wear Wing Tip Shoes To Be An Entrepreneur
Presented by Bud Cason, Owner, Founder and CEO, Bud’s Best Cookies
Join us as Bud Cason shares with us his story of what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.
Bud’s Best Cookies is one of the country’s leaders in bite-sized cookie production. Bud’s manufactures several brands of cookies in 30 different flavors and varieties and produces over one million cookies per hour in their Hoover location.
Register by 12 pm November 14: Students $10 Members $20 Guests $30
Register at the door (space permitting): Students $15 Members $30 Guests $40

August Power Marketing Luncheon
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Keith Richards – A Passion for Cooking and Community
Keith Richards found his passion for Taziki’s and its Greek inspired menu on a 1997 trip to Greece with his wife, Amy. In 1998, they opened their first restaurant at the Colonnade in Birmingham. Today, Taziki’s has 47 locations in 13 states. Today, he is leading the Birmingham-based fast-casual effort, which was recently ranked by Restaurant Business as 13th on their Future 50 List, as well as being named one of the Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchises in both 2014 and 2015.
Earlier this year, the United States Healthful Food Council (USHFC) announced Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe’ is the first national franchise to achieve REAL Certification, the emerging national standard for foodservice nutrition and sustainability. Taziki’s is now the largest chain restaurant to complete the certification process.
In building the Taziki’s brand, Keith employs a grass roots marketing strategy to become an integral part of the community. Taziki’s efforts are focused on building genuine relationships to ensure long-term growth, the importance of small businesses supporting their communities and how pursuing passion is the foundation of growing your company.

January Power Marketing Luncheon
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Tackling 100+ Unique Markets Through Effective Communications
Presented by Casey Lassiter- Associate Director of Communications, Healthsouth Corporation
Casey will share how her very small staff, handles communications and marketing for more than 100 hospitals in HealthSouth’s nationwide network.
The hospitals are in very different markets – some in small markets with no competitors while some experience the opposite. This creates a challenge for her team, which acts as a resource and support for all HealthSouth hospitals as well as the corporate office.
The presentation will include details on how they tackle public relations, media relations, crisis communications, creative services, online communications (including social media) and internal communications and marketing from a corporate level while still allowing hospitals to customize their message and marketing.
About Casey Lassiter
Casey Lassiter serves as associate director of communications at HealthSouth Corporation where she is responsible for the company’s external communications including public and media relations for both the corporate office and the company’s nationwide network of more than 100 hospitals in 33 states. In this role, she also serves as the media spokesperson for the company. Many of her current tasks include working directly with corporate leadership to communicate current and trending news for the company that involves media outlets in both the local and national markets. Casey has worked with HealthSouth’s development team and other departments to bring more than ten new hospitals and acquisitions to the HealthSouth network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and was part of the team that redesigned the corporate website and the team that redesigned more than 100 HealthSouth hospital websites across the country. Casey’s public relations work on the company’s Amputees Across America program received a Public Relations Council of Alabama Medallion Award and a Public Relations Society of America Award of Excellence Silver Anvil Award.
Early Birds Register and Pay by Friday Noon Jan. 16: Members $20, Guests $30, Students $10
After Friday Noon Jan. 16: Members $30, Guests $40, Students $15
**Early Bird prices accepted at the door for company checks and student cash.

October AMA Halloween Mixer
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC

February Marketing Power Lunch
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Digital Storytelling on Steroids: Branded Content Marketing
Guest Speaker: Libby Romano and Lindsey Sims, Big Communications
Join us as Libby and Lindsey share how great stories have the power to create gravity – effortlessly drawing people into brands, whether written, spoken or seen. But if that information isn’t relevant, exciting, timely, and shareworthy, it is a waste of time. Don’t waste time.
Libby Romano, Director of Digital Strategy, and Lindsey Sims, Media Director, played principle roles in evolving Big’s public relations and digital services to meet this new challenge – effectively creating the agency’s content marketing service offerings from the ground up. They’ve been integral in leading the charge on all things content and implementing effective strategies for clients. What started as brand journalism back in 2012 with Big’s Alabama Gulf Seafood and Alabama Department of Commerce campaigns, evolved into a recipe for creating, developing, and delivering compelling branded content. They call it content marketing: digital storytelling on steroids.
Early Birds Register and Pay by Friday Noon February 13: Members $20, Guests $30, Students $10
After Friday Noon February 13: Members $30, Guests $40, Students $15

**Early Bird prices accepted at the door for company checks and students cash.

November Power Marketing Luncheon
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Bew White, CEO of Summer Classics Companies will share his experience founding and growing the largest luxury outdoor furniture manufacturer in the United States.
From a textile Engineering Degree at Auburn with an expected future at Avondale Mills, the great grandson of its founder and Alabama Governor, Braxton Bragg Comer, Bew began a life long entrepreneurial pursuit of excellence in home goods leading to the industry’s leading brand.
Bew has opened plants in Chile 1989 to 1995, and Mexico from 1993 to 2000. He has been to China 29 times from 1998 to 2014, and has captive factories in Dalian, Heshan and Shunde. A lifetime of developing innovative materials, his latest is a sustainable product made of rice hulls and mineral spirits called Resysta, made in a plant in Indonesia.
Coupled with how his legacy William White remarkably founded the industry leading Gabby brand in the pit of a crippling recession marks a dynasty of Alabama rainmaker’s.
From a 35+ year legacy of taste, Summer Classics has become the premier manufacturer of luxury outdoor furniture. We innovate with timeless materials like exclusive resin wicker, cast aluminum, teak, and iron. Our beautiful creations enhance the quality of life for our customers and change the way people think about outdoor furniture. Our Purpose: We exist to provide, Life’s best moments… Furnished.™
Alabama’s largest home goods importer, the company houses a full service marketing and PR department, largest internal furniture design department in the industry, and manufactures product in 8 countries. The company is now headquartered in one of Birmingham’s largest buildings, the newly renovated, former Moore Handley building at 487,000 square feet.
Bew recently was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year at the Society of International Business Fellows (SIBF). Don’t miss incredible insight into the ups and downs of leading a fashion driven business.

January Power Marketing Luncheon
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Darin White – “Changing the Game – Key Trends Driving the Business of Sports”
Darin White is founder and coordinator of the Sports Marketing program in the Brock School of Business at Samford University. He serves as the Chair of the American Marketing Association Sports Marketing Academic Society (SIG), the leading international scholarly body charged with expanding the knowledge base of the field of sports marketing.
He is a go-to source for media seeking insights into sports business and has been featured in the Washington Post, USA Today, NPR, ESPN Radio, Saturday Down South and the International Business Times. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Sports Foundation, the primary lobby responsible for bringing sporting events to the state of Alabama.
Recently, Mr. Whites sports marketing program at Samford University made a national impression on the world of sports when his team of seniors pitched their strategic marketing plan to increase fan engagement within the millennial generation to Jason Kaufman, Vice President , Market Research and Analytics for the National Basketball Association.

November Signature Series Luncheon | Warren Averett 360: Organizing Solutions Around The Client
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Warren Averett 360: Organizing Solutions Around The Client
Presented by Todd Decker, CMO and Head of Business Development – Warren Averett
November 16, 2016 | The Harbert Center
Join us as Todd Decker shares how his firm has developed “Warren Averett 360” – a comprehensive marketing approach positioning the firm as more client centered and more focused on meeting client needs than competing firms. With over 40 services to offer, both employees and clients need to be made aware of all the ways the firm can help them. WA 360, organizes solutions around the client from their perspective, making it easier to identify needs and cross-serve clients.
Todd Decker has spent more than a decade in leadership roles at Sterne Agee, Regions, BBVA Compass and Bank of America. Todd began his marketing career at Johnson & Johnson where he was Marketing Director on several leading consumer brands. Todd leads the Firm’s practice development and marketing endeavors presenting the unique value of the Firm, its people and service offerings across multiple regions, service lines and practice groups. He works with executive management on strategic initiatives and also supports the Firm’s efforts in pursuing significant client opportunities. His responsibilities also include growth initiatives, communications and marketing oversight of the Firm’s industry niche teams.
Todd is a graduate of Duke University and earned his Master of Business Administration at the University of North Carolina.

February Power Marketing Luncheon
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Bill Fox – “Momentum’s Growth, Marketing Challenges & Successes in the Changing Telecom Landscape”
Bill Fox is President and CEO of Momentum Telecom, leading the team in their mission of enabling others to thrive by combining smarter technology with seasoned experts to deliver an unmatched customer experience.
He previously served as Chief Financial Officer of SuccessEHS, Inc., a software and services company for physician offices with approximately 400 employees. Bill has experience as an investment banker with Lincoln International, where he specialized in debt capital financings for middle market leveraged buyouts, and worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers, which provides audit and assurance, tax and consulting services.
Bill received an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School and a BS in Business Administration and Accounting from Washington and Lee University. Bill is an active volunteer with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, where he currently serves as the Board President of the Alabama/NW Florida Chapter. He enjoys cycling, golf, fly fishing, and skiing. Bill is married to his college sweetheart, Allyson, and has three children.

October Signature Series Luncheon | Dreamland’s Challenge: Connecting With New Markets While Maintaining Core Identity
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Dreamland’s Challenge: Connecting With New Markets While Maintaining Core Identity
Presented by Betsy McAtee, CEO, Dreamland BBQ
Dreamland Bar-B-Que is an iconic brand with a history that spans over half-a-century. Dreamland’s identity is a result of one man’s dream and guests’ memories and experiences tied to that dream. Now with nine locations across the Southeast, a retail product line available in grocery stores and nationwide shipping from dreamlandbbq.com, Dreamland faces an opportunity (and challenge) every day to connect with new and existing audiences with relevant and compelling messaging while remaining true to their core identity. Dreamland CEO Betsy McAtee will discuss the expansion of the brand, diversification of operations and the marketing strategies that support the goal of creating a mutually beneficial relationship with guests and customers.
With over 20 years of experience in the food industry, Betsy McAtee has spent her career in key positions for regional and national brands. When she joined Dreamland Holding Company in 2000, she brought that vast experience with her. Dreamland BBQ Holding Company owns and operates seven restaurants in the Southeast and is the franchisor of the Dreamland Brand, a nationally recognized restaurant brand. Under Betsy’s direction, Dreamland has not only retained the legendary identity that has created an ever-loyal customer base over the last 50 years, but has also expanded and evolved to meet the needs of the modern customer.
Dreamland has been recognized among the best BBQ in the nation by Southern Living, Men’s Journal, USA Today and more! Birmingham Magazine named Dreamland a Legacy Business in 2012. Dreamland was named the Retailer of the Year Silver Medalist by the Alabama Retail Association in 2014 and Retailer of the Year Gold Medalist in 2015. Prior to her career at Dreamland, Betsy served as District Manager, Area Training Manager, Zone Business Manager and Key Account Manager for the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo. She was responsible for implementation of a national route sales training program and served as the test market coordinator for a bakery product line extension in the Southeast.

[March 2016 Luncheon] Beyond Brochures – Using Apps To Engage An Audience
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Beyond Brochures – Using Apps To Engage An Audience
Taylor Peake Wyatt, President of MotionMobs, is an entrepreneur and experienced software consultant. Taylor has been involved in building and promoting Birmingham’s growing technology community since 2010.
Through MotionMobs, she has helped entrepreneurs start their first company and experienced business leaders embrace technology to improve efficiency within their firms. As a sitting board member with REV Birmingham and BBVA Compass, Taylor has been able to watch new companies establish a home and grow their brand in the city. Over the last couple of years, Taylor has participated in the revitalization in downtown Birmingham by purchasing a century-old warehouse building and establishing it as the new headquarters for MotionMobs.
In the past, Taylor has served on multiple grant boards for non-profit efforts, including State Farm. With a strong background in programming and an Information Systems degree from UAB’s School of Business, Taylor understands how to build and grow results-driven products, but her biggest skill is consistently bringing the best talent to the table.

January Signature Series Luncheon | O'Henrys Coffee
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Caffeine Powered Marketing
Presented by Randy Adamy | Owner, OHenry’s Coffees and OHenry’s Coffee Roasting Co.
January 18, 2017 | The Harbert Center

O’Henry’s is one of Birmingham’s favorite food & beverage brands. Join us on January 18th as CEO Randy Adamy explains the O’Henry’s approach to marketing – starting with the foundational principles laid by its founder, Dr. Henry Bright, through the brand’s growth and expansion to new markets. If you want to hear how a local brand thrives going head-to-head with a global behemoth – and in an increasingly crowded field of smaller players, this is a luncheon you won’t want to miss!

[April 2016 Luncheon] The Absolutely Essential Social Media Tools
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
The Absolutely Essential Social Media Tools
by Wade Kwon, Founder of Y’all Connect conference
Social media is much more than hashtags and apps. It’s about interaction and reach, about conversions and sales.
Crafting a solid social media marketing plan begins with the right tools. Let Wade Kwon, one of the Poynter Institute’s 35 Influential People in Social Media, point you to the best free and paid apps to maximize engagement and minimize stress.
Communications consultant and Birmingham Blogging Academy founder Wade Kwon has written thousands of blog posts and created blogs big and small. He loves to tell stories, in person and in print and online as Birmingham’s Best Blogger.
He is founder of the Y’all Connect conference, yallconnect.com.
The Poynter Institute selected Kwon as one of 35 Influential People in Social Media. Birmingham Magazine readers selected him as Best Tweeter 2 years running in the Best of B’ham 2010 and 2011 online polls. His site, Magic City Post, was voted Best Website in the Birmingham’s Best 2011 readers’ poll by the Birmingham News; it also won 2011 Green Eyeshade Awards for Best Blog and Specialized Site.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/wadeontweets

[May 2016 Luncheon] Concentrate and Dominate
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
“Concentrate and Dominate” Find one niche to focus on – do one thing and do it well.
by John Paul Strong, Strong Automotive
Author of two books in the Next Day Traffic series, the first in August of 2011, and second in January 2013, both sold exclusively online and to agency clients. He has written an award winning blog since October of 2008 – also called Next Day Traffic with over 1,000 total posts. In addition, he is a member of the Texas Auto Writer’s Association.
His many accolades and proven experience have given him the opportunity to share his industry knowledge at conferences of various media companies and state automotive dealer associations, as a public speaker on automotive marketing tactics as well as dealer 20 groups to present ideas and concepts. John Paul’s relentless pursuit of excellence in dealership positioning and presentation sets a standard unmatched in the automotive marketing industry.

[June 2016 Luncheon] Live Your Brand in Social Media
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Live Your Brand in Social Media – Tell Customers’ Stories to Engage Prospects and Drive ROI
by Melissa Musgrove VP, Head of Social Media, Regions Financial
Melissa Musgrove is Vice-President and Head of Social Media at Regions Bank and has more than 10 years of experience in Digital and Social Media Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations. At Regions, she directs Social Media vision and strategy and leads a team of Community Managers and Social Customer Care Representatives.
Melissa will discuss creating integrated, cross-channel campaigns that amplify the Voice of the Customer through storytelling. Also, learn how to cultivate brand advocacy by providing advice and guidance to your customers through social. And understand how to capture the attention of your customers in the increasingly noisy and fragmented social media space.
Also, discover how to:
* Implement acquisition tactics and boost results
* Build campaigns around customers’ passion points
* Deliver proactive social customer care
Melissa has her M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University and B.A. from Samford University. Follow her on Twitter @MMMusgrove.

August 2016 Luncheon | Five Ways To Win At Content Marketing
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Five Ways To Win At Content Marketing
Presented by Eric Housh, CMO of TicketBiscuit and Mollie Durbin, TicketBiscuit Marketing Director
Join us and learn proven strategies and processes that have helped TicketBiscuit launch successful new brands and gain massive audiences of fans and ambassadors.
After being named CMO in 2008, Eric immediately redefined the nature of the ticket buyer experience, conceiving and driving the development of several programs aimed at artist discovery and internet marketing. In the years that followed, TicketBiscuit continued its trajectory of relentless innovation, launching what would soon become one of the largest primary ticketing affiliate networks and being of the first companies to offer mobile ticketing, Facebook ticketing, Apple Passbook integration and much more. He was nominated for Alabama CMO of the year in 2012, and helped TicketBiscuit achieve recognition as one of Birmingham’s best places to work in 2013 and 2015. Eric was named TicketBiscuit Director of Sales in late 2013, and has since led the company to consecutive years of double digit year-over-year growth.
Mollie’s background includes more than 15 years of experience in marketing and public relations in a variety of industries, including entertainment/events, healthcare and software. As marketing has become an increasingly technical endeavor, she has been able to draw on her background in web design and coding to help companies “punch above their weight” in the ever-evolving digital world. Her ability to combine content marketing, SEO, paid search and other marketing efforts into one robust marketing engine has made it possible for her to help companies grow in powerful ways.

September Signature Series Luncheon | Rebranding the Bulldog
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Rebranding the Bulldog: Creating New Visual Identity Standards For Samford University
Presented by Betsy Bugg Holloway, Ph.D.
Vice President for Marketing and Communication, Professor of Marketing – Samford University
Samford University recently embarked on a six-month journey to develop new visual identity standards for the university, including a new athletic bulldog logo. This new branding and identity will be revealed to the public in November, but at our September luncheon Dr. Betsy Bugg Holloway will share with us a preview of what’s in store and reveal the processes the University followed to reach its decisions. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how a major rebranding effort was conceived and executed.
In her role as Vice President for Marketing and Communication and Professor of Marketing for Samford University, Dr, Holloway is responsible for all marketing and branding initiatives across the university’s operations. Holloway also teaches courses in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Prior to her academic career, Holloway lived and worked in Japan and was employed by a global pharmaceutical firm. She most recently served as the company’s director of international business and managed global sales offices in Argentina, Denmark, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Holloway’s research interests include services marketing, consumer behavior and reputation management. She has published more than 60 academic articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings and regularly presents her research and lectures in the U.S. and abroad. She is a member of the American Marketing Association, the Academy of Marketing Science and the Society for Marketing Advances. Within the community, Holloway serves on the board of directors for the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA), YWCA, Rotary Club of Birmingham, Scholarships for Kids, and as a trustee for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

February Signature Series Luncheon | Lake Homes Realty
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Going after the Giants… Sideways
Presented by Glen Phillips
CEO of Lake Homes Realty / LakeHomes.com
February 15, 2017 | The Harbert Center
Pretend you have business blender. What would you get if you put in that blender – a national traditional real estate company – Zillow – Amazon – and Uber? You’d get Lake Homes Realty, one of the nation’s fastest growing full-service real estate companies.
Join us and learn how Lake Homes Realty created a successful business around the commitment that service, technology, and marketing are inseparable and leverage-able.
Glenn S. Phillips appreciates dark chocolate and a good pun. As CEO of Lake Homes Realty, his work includes major involvement in marketing and technology (which in this day, are intertwined).
An author and speaker, he has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, Realtor.com, ABC News Now, Psychology Today, Entrepreneur, and Fortune Small Business. Glenn also occasionally plays a really ugly tuba before an audience of thousands.
Glenn is also founder and Senior Consultant of Forte’ Incorporated, a technology consulting firm, and serves on the Board of Directors of the National Federation of Independent Business.
Learn more about Lake Homes Realty at lakehomes.com

March Signature Series Luncheon
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
The Marketing Evolution

Dan Pahos, CEO of Home Instead and BBJ’s 2014 Small Business Executive of the Year, will share how his marketing strategies have evolved over the past 20 years and leave you with ideas on how you can best market your business in today’s environment.
Luncheon attendees can also get their professional headshots updated at the luncheon! Photographer Eric Gray will be set up in The Harbert Center’s Library from 11:00 am until noon. The price is only $25 for AMA Birmingham members and $50 for non-members.

April Signature Series Luncheon | SEC Network
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Ben May | Senior Director ESPN Sports Management, SEC-ESPN Network
Join us for a fascinating look into the SEC Network – the most successful cable network launch in history. And learn what ESPN and the SEC Network have planned for the future.
Ben is responsible for oversite of the Southeastern Conference’s official corporate sponsorship program for ESPN in conjunction with the SEC Network, a 24-7 television network dedicated to the Southeastern Conference and the most successful launch of a cable television network in history.
His responsibilities include representing conference assets to corporate America through multi-platform opportunities including conference intellectual property rights and event marketing, broadcast television and digital/social/mobile applications.

May Signature Series Luncheon | Brookwood Baptist Health
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
A Healthcare Joint Venture: What’s My Name Again?
Kate DeWitt Darden | Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Brookwood Baptist Health
The healthcare landscape experienced unprecedented change in 2016. Hospitals moved and changed names while across town two former competitors came together in a joint venture. Brookwood Baptist Health united Brookwood Medical Center, Baptist Health System and Tenet Healthcare. The new brand was launched in April of 2016 and Kate Darden will provide a behind the scenes look at the process, challenges and learnings.
Kate is responsible for brand management, service line marketing, advertising, public relations, content strategy, community engagement, and internal communications at Brookwood Baptist Health. Her career began at Southern Progress, where she led marketing for the Healthy Living Division, including blockbuster brands Cooking Light and Health. Before joining BHS, Kate and two partners with a shared passion for brand strategy and careers devoted to launching, building and re-inventing brands created a full service marketing firm, which served clients in travel, higher education, legal, and commercial real estate.

June Signature Series Luncheon | Taco Mama
2017-02-15 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
For The Love of Tacos and People – Standing Out In An Oversaturated Market
Presented by
Will Haver
Restauranteur/Owner of Taco Mama & Otey’s Tavern
There are hundreds of places you can get a taco – so what has Will Haver done to set his Birmingham-based beloved taqueria apart from the pack? Find out how Will’s vision for Taco Mama was guided by setting unwavering high standards of excellence in the décor, the service, its people and, of course, the food.
Will Haver has been in love with fresh ingredients since working in his mother’s garden outside of their Mountain Brook home. His introduction to working with garden-fresh food started there, and his beginnings in restaurant ownership began when he took over Crestline’s Otey’s Tavern in 2007. Haver then opened Taco Mama in December of 2011 and hasn’t looked back since, with his restaurant earning numerous accolades throughout the city and Haver himself even landing in the Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40.

March Signature Series Luncheon
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April Signature Series Luncheon | SEC Network
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May Signature Series Luncheon | Brookwood Baptist Health
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June Signature Series Luncheon | Taco Mama
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August Signature Series Luncheon
2017-08-16 11:30 - 13:00 UTC | The Harbert Center, 2019 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL, 35203, United States
How do you resurrect a brand which has been out of use for over 30 years as a transformational catalyst for downtown living?
Join Bayer Properties as they tell the story of a run-down but historical old department store that turned into a live-work-eat-play destination rarely found in even the largest metro areas. From re-branding to a new product type, The Pizitz brand is born again.
Reserve Your Spot
Bethanne Jenkins, Director of Marketing
In 2011, Bethanne Jenkins joined Bayer Properties as Director of Marketing where she is responsible for overseeing consumer and trade marketing efforts for Bayer and its asset portfolio of approximately 10 million SF. Before joining Bayer, Bethanne spent over 10 years in advertising managing brand strategy and implementation for clients ranging from banking to tourism. Bethanne’s experience also includes Parisian Department Stores where she started her career as an assistant buyer.
Jane Hoerner, Senior Marketing Manager
Jane Hoerner has been with Bayer Properties for nearly 4 years. Prior to joining Bayer, she worked for Books-A-Million where she was responsible for advertising and marketing the company’s three brands: Books-A-Million, 2nd & Charles and Yogurt Mountain. Before returning home to Birmingham in 2007, Jane worked with Edelman Public Relations in New York in corporate communications.
Doug Schneider, Senior Vice President, Business Administration
With more than 20 years of retailer and packaged goods marketing experience, Doug Schneider leads the business planning, marketing, human resources, and information technology efforts at Bayer Properties. Before joining the Bayer team in 2007, Doug directed national marketing efforts at retailers such as Kmart, Johnston & Murphy and most recently Saks Department Store Group. He has an understanding of department, specialty and chain store merchandise and marketing strategies, and an in-depth understanding of research and branding principals.
Reserve Your Spot

September Signature Series Luncheon
2017-09-20 11:30 - 13:00 UTC | The Harbert Center, 2019 4th Ave N, Birmingham, AL, 35203, United States
We Cover What Matters: Behind the Brand
No other industry has undergone more drastic changes in the last few years than health care. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama knows nothing matters more than your health.

Featured Speakers
Carol Glass, Marketing Department Manager
LaBrandon Dates, Manager – Mass Media

Go “Behind the Brand” to learn how Blue Cross – a trusted health partner — finds new ways to tell its value story.

Register Here!

October Signature Series Luncheon
2017-10-18 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
Retail is Changing, Brands Should Too

$20 for Members, $30 for Non-Members
Click here to Reserve Your Spot!

Founded in 1945 with over 1,000 store locations across the country, Hibbett Sports is a leading athletic-inspired fashion retailer primarily located in small and mid-sized communities across the country. Find out how Hibbett has evolved their marketing strategies, tactics, customer loyalty program and brand message in an effort to bring their personalized customer service experience and access to coveted footwear, apparel and accessories to a brick and mortar and online audience.

Featured Speaker
Sarah Wangaard, VP of Marketing
Sarah joined Hibbett in September 2007 and over the past ten years has held numerous roles in the company’s marketing and digital departments. She has a variety of marketing expertise with a broad range of experience from direct-to-consumer marketing and digital marketing to customer loyalty. As the Vice President of Marketing, she is responsible for customer loyalty, as well as digital, social, mobile and site marketing. After growing up in Tennessee, she received her B.A. in Communications- Public Relations from Lee University.
Register Here!
