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On Hold Messaging Association Newsletter

February, 2013 
In This Issue
2013 Conference
Call for MARCE Entries
Donate Charity Water
2013 Business Trends
Quick Links

OHMA Survey Video Available on YouTube
Survey Overview by Arabella Pollock


This video is available for member use.

Did You Know? . . .

The capitol and its beautiful 19 acre park is located within a block of the OHMA Conference Hotel, be sure to take a walk and enjoy a taste of Nashville's history.
President's Message
Andy Hedberg 2013
     Wow time flies! In just 12 weeks we'll retreat to downtown Nashville, Tennessee for yet another great conference. Your OHMA directors are turning up the heat working out the details on what I think will make this a classic conference with relevant and engaging subject matter, sharing of ideas and exposure to the latest technology on the market. I urge you to register today! 
     As many of you know organizing this kind of event can be time consuming. Special thanks to Vince Koegle for his efforts along with our OHMA backbone, DeAnn Smeltzer, for making it seem easy - they are doing a great job! 
     We have been working on new uses of the research data to provide the membership new marketing tools like a short video (available to download from YouTube, and see left), pop-up trade show banners and more. Also, look for an updated, more user friendly website and the introduction of OHMA's first Innovation Award honoring the newest innovations in the MOH industry. 
     More great news! So far in 2013 business is up, up, up! At least that is what I am hearing from the several members I have had recent phone conversations with - reports of lots of new business in January. In that spirit I suggest making a phone call to a fellow OHMA member to share a success story or set dinner plans for the up-coming conference. 
     With this success is the opportunity to give back. Thanks to Bryant Wilson for introducing us to Charity Water and the start of OHMA's new program of giving to a new charity every year. Learn more about Charity Water in this newsletter and please make a donation. 
     Finally, I would like to thank the entire Board of Directors of OHMA for contributing their time and energy. Attendance of the teleconferences has been great and the face-to-face meeting was very productive. If you are looking for more from OHMA get more involved, get on a committee or better yet - get on the Board! 
Andy Hedberg 
2012-3013 OHMA Chairman of the Board
OHMA 13th Annual International Conference
Sheraton Nashville 2013
Sheraton Downtown Nashville
OHMA's 13th Annual International Conference will take place April 29 - May 1, 2013 in the Music City, Nashville, Tennessee! The OHMA Board, side-by-side with the International Business Music Association (IBMA) is making preparations for valuable educational sessions, networking, outstanding vendor exhibitions, networking, networking, great music listening opportunities and did we mention time for industry networking?! The Sheraton is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Nashville and just steps from exciting nightlife, incredible dining, and much more. Registrations can be made upon member login to the Member Admin Area or go directly to the registration page by clicking here. Sheraton accommodations can be booked at a negotiated group rate by going to the OHMA /IBMA hotel booking pageThe Sheraton Downtown is a AAA 4-Diamond hospitality site with luxurious guestrooms, a beautiful atrium-style hotel that towers 28 stories over the city and just steps away from Bridgestone Arena and other popular things to do in Nashville. They offer excellent service, comfortable beds, superb dining choices, and a 100% smoke-free environment. . Walking distance to honky tonks.

Live music can be seen and heard every day and night of the week in Nashville. The world-famous honky tonks, located on Broadway, offer free live music 365 days a year. And with more than 130 music venues around town ranging from large arenas and concert halls to small clubs and featuring nearly every genre of music, it's easy to see why this is the city that "music calls home."
 
Learn more about the Music City here.

 

2013 Call for MARCE Entries
MARCE Award

Enter the 2013 MARCE Awards, the only competition that encourages and rewards marketing and creative excellence among On Hold Messaging providers exclusively.

 

Enter your best work for a chance to win the OHM industry's highest honor - the MARCE Award. 
 
MARCE stands for MARketing & Creative Excellence, two goals we should all strive for when producing On Hold Messaging for our clients. OHMA presents the MARCE Awards to promote that high standard and improve the effectiveness and value of our service.
 
Learn more about this international competition or enter beginning Tuesday, 
February 12th at http://www.ohma.org/marces/index.php. Questions? Email us at [email protected].   

 

The entry deadline is March 12, 2013 at 8pm Eastern time.

 

OHMA Members Giving Back
charity water logo
 
Did you know that 800 million people around the world don't have access to clean, safe drinking water? OHMA is doing something about it.
 
Charity Water
Help OHMA provide clean, safe drinking water to a community. Donate today.
 
 
 
Help us raise $5,000 to provide clean water for a community.
 
What's really cool about charity water is that 100% of the money we raise will directly fund water project costs in the field, and they'll prove every single dollar. When the project we help fund is complete, they'll send us a digital completion report with GPS coordinates and photos of the community we helped. Here's an example.
 
Every little bit counts, so click here to donate to our campaign. If you have any questions, contact Bryant Wilson, OHMA board member.
 
Thank you for your support!
The On Hold Messaging Association
 
P.S. Read this story from charity: water to learn how clean water changes lives.

 

Off-Site Excursion at 2013 Conference
Nashville - Opry Logo Nashville has unlimited sites to see and things to do, but none other seems to compare than a visit to the Grand Ole Opry. Our excursion night will be Tuesday, April 29. There are two excursion options:

All Things Opry Package 

This excursion includes round trip transfers via private motorcoach to the new Opry House for a reserved ticket to the two+ hour Opry Show, an Opry House Backstage Tour, and dinner at The Opry Backstage Grill.  The show that made country music famous features the new stars, superstars, and legends of country music in each performance. We will depart the hotel about 3:15pm, returning 10:30-11:00pm. Nashville - Grand Ole Opry - Brad

 

Grand Ole Opry Evening Show

This shorter version includes round trip transfers via private motorcoach to the new Opry House and a fabulous two+ hour show. Depart the hotel around 6:00pm and return 10:30-11:00pm. 

To register for the Conference and an Opry excursion click here.
 
Small Business Predictions & Trends 2013
2013

One downside to the annual "prediction time" is that the sheer number of predictions and trends posts makes it hard to pull out the top topics - the areas on which to focus in the year to come. Never fear however because MATT MANSFIELD has done that work for you! He has reviewed and analyzed 70 small business 2013 predictions and trends posts and broke them down into high-level topics for your consumption.

 

Linked here is the "Top Small Business Predictions and Trends in 2013" Infographic.

 

Also included the article you will find:

  1. A closer look at the top small business 2013 predictions and trends, and
  2. Links to the 70 small business predictions and trends posts for 2013 that I reviewed to gather data.
If you have questions or need additional information on any of the articles in this newsletter please contact me at [email protected]. I look forward to seeing everyone in Nashville!
 
DeAnn Smeltzer
On Hold Messaging Association
 
Save
$25!
SAVE!!! Register for the OHMA Conference prior to midnight PT, March 15 and save $25.00 per full package attendee!
Full Package Rate includes: Monday evening Welcome Cocktail Reception, Tues/Wed Breakfast, Tues/Wed Lunch, Wednesday Dinner/Awards, All Educational Sessions, Trade Show Entry.
Offer Expires: March 15, 2013