AIMS Canada

AIMS group on Facebook!

According to the Globe & Mail, “a year ago, Canada represented about 5 per cent of Facebook users. Today, that number is closer to 11 per cent, at a time when the site is adding about a million new users a week.”

With number like these, by now every AIMS member has heard about the social network Facebook, and you likely already have a profile set up. Now, thanks to our member Heather Sanderson, AIMS also has a Facebook group! By signing into your Facebook account and searching for AIMS Canada, you can join a group of fellow AIMS members in discussing online marketing, sharing ideas and questions, learning about upcoming AIMS events and more. (If you don’t have an account set up yet, you can sign up for free at www.facebook.com and set up your personal profile to get started).

This group was created by Heather Sanderson of Random House of Canada. As well as researching and promoting the use of social networks, Heather has been actively using Facebook to seek out unique and niche marketing opportunities, to promote events, and to reconnect with friends.

AIMS GM, Kathryn Lagden accepts new opportunity

Posted by Bruce Powell, President of AIMS, and Managing Partner at IQ Partners...

On behalf of the board of directors, I’m writing to share the news that Kathryn Lagden, General Manager of AIMS, is leaving the association and moving on to a new opportunity.

This was a tough decision for Kathryn. As many of you know she is passionate about AIMS and the role it plays in bringing together the internet marketing community. She has been offered an exciting opportunity and has made the difficult choice to leave AIMS. Thanks to an active community of members, volunteers, and sponsors we’ve implemented a number of initiatives at AIMS over the last year and we’re well poised for continued growth and expansion as we hire new leadership to manage the day-to-day operations.

Over the next month, Kathryn will be putting the pieces in place for a successful transition. She will remain the main point of contact for the next few weeks and will provide updates as we transition her responsibilities.

The last few years have been an exciting time of renewed activity in the internet sector. AIMS has experienced a similar renewal and will continue building on this resurgence. We’re committed to implementing new initiatives to help members connect, discuss, learn and network at our monthly events and online.

Kathryn has made an enormous contribution to AIMS in the past year and we are grateful for her hard work, resourcefulness and dedication. While we are sorry to see her leave, we are at the same time pleased for her as she heads off to her new role. I hope you’ll join me in thanking Kathryn and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

Bruce Powell
President, AIMS

Volunteer Mix 'N Mingle

Posted by Kathryn Lagden, AIMS Canada...

If you've been to an AIMS event in the last few months you've probably heard me talk about our volunteers and seen the powerpoint slide I use to show everyone who helps out.  A good chunk of those folks descended on Montana's last night to enjoy a drink, some nibbles, and mingle with the other volunteers at our first AIMS volunteer appreciation get-together.

In addition to the board we have 7 different councils and committees helping out at AIMS. Of course everyone gets to know the others in their own group but last night we threw all the committees together for a big volunteer mash-up. The result was a lot of fun and some great conversations.

Thanks again to all our volunteers who do such great work for AIMS and the community!

Speaking of community - The most recent episode of Mitch Joel's '6 Pixels of Separation' podcast includes a segment titled '6 ways to get more involved in your local marketing community'. It's a great listen and one of his 'points' talks about volunteering.

If you're thinking of getting involved (or perhaps find inspiration after listening to Mitch's podcast) please give me a call or drop me an email. We'd love to have you and I think you'll find that besides doing some great work we have a lot of fun!

Just a few of the people who volunteer...

- Katie Dolgin (IQ Partners), Rebecca Muller (Publicis Dialog)

- Lynn Shannon (Rogers), Mirabel Palmer-Elliott (Rogers), Leesa Butler (Divine Lab)

- Chris Adams (Hot Banana), Paul Oude-Reimerink (WebTrends), Peder Enhorning (Unilytics)

- Sara Scurfield (Advantex), Michelle Tampoya (Scotiabank), Cecilia Jy (Retail Council of Canada)

New Poll: How Often Do You Update Your Corporate Website?

A couple of weeks ago we added a regular poll feature to the blog. Our first poll delved into readers ipod habits. This time we look at how often corporate websites are being updated.

Please take a moment and vote - you'll find the poll in the top right column. (If you're reading this in your favourite feed reader please click through to add your vote!)

Do you think we should keep track of old polls? I created a page on the AIMS website to archive polls and results. Is this useful or just adding to information clutter?

Please let me know what you think by clicking on the comments link below and adding your thoughts.

Geek Dinner: Jan. 25th/07

I’m late in posting this…my apologies…

Michael Seaton and Mitch Joel are both speaking at the AIMS event next week. Often when Mitch is in Toronto he picks a restaurant and gets together with what he calls the local digerati. There have been a few names thrown around for these evenings but ‘Geek Dinner’ seems to have stuck.

The next one is planned for Jan. 25th following the AIMS event – Should Your Company Be Podcasting. (The dinner isn’t part of the AIMS event; we just figured it was an ideal time to get together for some good eats and even better conversation).

We haven't finalized location yet but we'll be meeting for dinner at 7pm somewhere near The Diesel Playhouse.

Each person is responsible for covering their own bill. (We will try and arrange for the restaurant to provide separate bills). We do need to make a reservation and there is limited space so it’s ‘first come first serve’.

If you’d like to come to the geek dinner please send me an email.

If you’d like to read more about it see Mitch’s post and Michael’s post about the dinner.

Add Your Opinion to the AIMS Poll

Way back in 2006 (seems like so long ago now!) the AIMS research committee got together and decided to add a regular poll to the blog.

We just put the first poll up - check it out over on the right hand side of this blog and add your vote! (If you're reading this in your favourite reader please click through and add your voice)

And in case you're wondering just who is on our volunteer research committee...

• Ted Doering from Delvinia
• Lucia Kuzminski from Outlook Research
• Tanya Stambolic from m marketing inc.
• Candace Weber from Cesart

Have an idea for a future poll? Email me (Kathryn) or add it in the comments below...

AIMS Member Directory is Now Live

Since we launched the new AIMS website back in the summer I've had numerous requests for a Member Directory. Thanks to the hard working gang over at Wild Apricot the Member Directory is now live and ready to use.

Important Note - The directory requires each person to opt-in, ie. You’re not automatically included in the directory.

How to Opt-In to Member Directory:

• Log-in (top right corner) at www.aimscanada.com, If you don't remember your password you can use the 'forgot password' feature.
• Click on 'View Profile',
• Select the 'Show in Member Directory' option. (Note: you can also specify the contact information you'd like to display/hide. It's also a good idea to select 'Industry' and 'Type of Service' as well. In a few weeks you'll be able to search on these 2 fields so you'll want to be sure you've completed these fields so other members can find you).

To see the results click on 'Member Directory' in the left hand nav.

You'll note that Virtual and Premium members have the option of including a short profile along with their information. In a few weeks these members will also be able to add a logo/image as well.

Have questions about the Member Directory? Drop me a line at klagden@aimscanada.com or post in the comments below...