2nd Annual POMA Business Conference

a Resounding Success

Traditional outdoor sports media and industry professionals noted business building and networking opportunities as two of the myriad benefits of the 2nd Annual Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) Business Conference held last week at Brooklyn Park, Minnesota (Minneapolis North).Attendance at this year’s conference was more than 10 percent higher than the attendance at POMA’s first conference held last summer at Springfield, Missouri.

"More than 210 traditional outdoor sports journalists and industry professionals attended the conference, highlighted by business sessions, Field Day and new offerings to attendees, such as the Corporate Partner (CP) Bible," said POMA Chairman Steve Scott. "Attendees were quick to herald the conference a success, but we are still looking for ways to make the event more beneficial for members in years to come."

Breaking with the traditional format, POMA offered members new conference services and a new structure for Field Day – an interactive outdoor event that allowed media members to test new products and network with industry professionals.

"Although we’re tremendously pleased with how well this year’s event was received, we’re not resting on our laurels," explained Laurie Lee Dovey, POMA’s executive director. "Our members shared dozens of incredible ideas that will allow us to tweak this event to make it better."

POMA executives praised the generosity of the conference sponsors, who provided financial support for top educational speakers, meals, social events and networking opportunities, in an environment focused on education and business building. Sponsors included Archery Trade Association, Brownells, Cabela’s, Coleman, Federal Premium, Forest Lake Sportsmen’s Club, Hunt Comfort, Hunters Edge, Knox Outdoor Products, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Rifle Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Nissan, Otis Technology, Outdoor Channel, Quality Deer Management Association, Realtree, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, SHE Safari, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Visit Minneapolis North and XON TV.

"This conference was the chance of a lifetime for me," explained student member Patrick Krumenacker. "There is no way a college student interested in becoming a member of the outdoor media industry could garner the access to veteran communicators and industry executives that I did during the conference."

Veteran communicator John E. Phillips echoed Krumenacker’s sentiments from a different perspective. “The CP Bible, which is full of story ideas, is just one of the many ways POMA sets itself apart from other organizations. POMA focuses on serving the needs of professional journalists, those who make their living communicating the outdoor story, while reaching out to and mentoring the next generation of communicators.” Another conference highlight was the live auction featuring industry icon Wayne Carlton as auctioneer. POMA’s conference auctions and raffles are the association’s most important fund-raisers. They generated more than $18,000 this year.

The 3rd Annual POMA Business Conference is set for July 30 through August 2, 2008, at the Sheraton Sioux Falls and Sioux Falls Convention Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.