“POMA’s 2015 conference program is focused on today, tomorrow and helping communicators keep step with technology, trends and important business-building techniques,” said Kevin Tate, POMA chairman of the boar

“POMA’s 2015 conference program is focused on today, tomorrow and helping communicators keep step with technology, trends and important business-building techniques,” said Kevin Tate, POMA chairman of the board and head of the 2015 conference program.

“How communicators think, adjust and adapt to the changing environment, incorporate multi-media technologies and understand their markets and audiences directly impacts their success. To keep POMA members on the cutting edge, we’ve assembled a bevy of top-notch business, communications and media and technology gurus to help conference attendees stay ahead of the curve and the competition.

“Whether you’re a member of the outdoor media or you’re a corporate communications specialist, the POMA conference is the must-attend event of the year.”

Exposing Yourself to grow your business (legally & appropriately of course) – Holly Green

Approaches to influencing others, and establishing and maintaining credibility have changed dramatically due to the pace of change we are faced with in today’s world. This session uses principles of neuroscience to

• Help you better understand why and how we (and others) think and behave the way we do at work
• Teach you how you can make your thinking more visible
• Show you how you can better understand multiple perspectives
• Learn how to effectively test your conclusions and assumptions

Living & Thriving at the Pace of Change – Holly Green

The human brain was not set up to work effectively at the pace we are expected to move today.  This causes interesting and sometimes harmful behaviors at work.

Living & Thriving explores:

• Why parts of the brain are not well suited for today’s hyper-fast world
• How and why we get caught in inefficient and nonproductive busyness
• Typical reactions to change and how to navigate through them effectively
• How we can maintain/rebuild resilience during significant change
• How to remain focused and energized on achieving desired results 

The session uses a self-assessment, development worksheets, and enables participants to better understand how to truly thrive in an environment of constant distraction with many of us operating at a pace that does not align to how and when we are most effective.
 

Using Your Brain to Win – Holly Green

The human brain is an amazing tool. Yet, many of its built-in thought patterns and ways of working do not serve business leaders well. The brain can process large amounts of information. It has a real talent for forming patterns and connections. And it loves to answer questions and solve problems.  It also has a tendency to see what it expects to see, overlook data that contradicts its prevailing view of the world, and have greater confidence in its decision-making abilities than it should. In order to become more effective, we need a much deeper understanding of how our brain works and how it often gets in the way of winning. 

Leveraging the latest in neuroscience, in this session, you’ll get tools, techniques and tips for learning how to:

• Avoid getting blinded by your own data
• Make better, more informed decisions
• Slow down to go fast
• Get and stay clear on winning
• Stage your field of vision
• Question the right answer and explore the second best answer
• Use your brain to win every day 

You’ll practice playing with your brain and walk away with practices you can immediately put to use to be even more successful!
 

Writing for Google: SEO Basics & Writing Strategies – Jason McDonald

This session will overview the basics of Search Engine Optimization.

• First, you’ll learn how to identify important keywords for your blog posts, articles, and even product descriptions.
• Second, you’ll learn basic TAG elements such as TITLE tags, HEADER tags, and IMAGE ALT’s.
• Third, you’ll learn the “new” aspects of semantic keyword optimization, and why Google is paying more and more attention to keyword clusters.

You’ll leave with a basic understanding of how to write “for” Google yet preserve good writing for humans, too. Yes, you can have your wild venison steak, and eat it, too!
 

The Brand Called You: Internet Personal Branding – Jason McDonald

Tom Peters coined the phrase the “Brand Called You.” Personal branding is incredibly important in the Internet age. We’ll learn what personal branding is, starting with a personal branding value proposition.

We’ll explore how to build your brand on blogs, social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and more, and we’ll end up with reputation management: how to create a positive personal brand image, and defend it against Internet attacks.

This session is of high value to anyone building a personal brand for themselves, as well as anyone working “for” a CEO / high profile individual who has his or her own personal branding needs.
 

Optimizing Images and Video for SEO / Social Media – Jason McDonald

Pictures are worth 1000 words; Videos are worth 10,000.

This session will overview the basics of image creation, for Google & Bing. We’ll cover how to optimize images, including infographics and instructographics, including how to make them “enticing” to the audience shares on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media.

Second, we’ll deep dive into YouTube and understand how to optimize videos, and understand what goes viral and why.

You’ll leave with an understanding of how to optimize your images for search and share, and ditto for videos on YouTube.
 

Gun and Self-Defense Writing – Rob Pincus

Rob Pincus is a noted author and media expert in the areas of personal defense and tactical equipment. “I look around and see all the talent in POMA members and realize only a small percentage of writers, photographers and videographers are actively engaged in providing content for the media outlets servicing the tactical and defense segments of the industry,” said Pincus. “I’d like to share how to get involved in this space and be able to speak with credibility.” 
 

16 Secrets of the Bestselling Ebook Authors:  Best Practices for Ebook Publishing – Mark Coker

In this segment, Mark Coker will share 16 best practices of the most successful self-published ebook authors. Learn how to self-publish with pride and professionalism. Learn simple, yet important strategies that will make your book more accessible, more discoverable and more desirable to readers. The session draws upon the best practices advice contained in Mark Coker’s free ebook, THE SECRETS TO EBOOK PUBLISHING SUCCESS, and includes new insights not covered in the book.
 

Jumpstart Roundtables – Christen Everly ,  C. Ainsley Beeman, Margot Ardoin, Jennifer Pearsall, karen LeE

Digital Content Value – Christen Everly: Everly develops sales-driven digital media advertising and marketing programs for her clients, primarily in the shooting sports space. Through Media Lodge, internet digital assets such as GunBroker.com (and others) have big reach. This roundtable will demonstrate how to value digital content and offer successful outdoor industry case studies from Crossbreed Holsters.

Trending! Evolution of Social Media and Apps Technology – C. Ainsley Beeman and Margot Ardoin: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, Flickr, Vine, WordPress and beyond! Will it ever stop? Technology and creativity are indeed trending, all the while forever changing communication and marketing techniques. So pull up a chair, and socialize with us as we talk #Hashtags, @Mentions, and all things trending in the wonderful world of social media.

Women in the Outdoor Media – Jennifer Pearsall: This roundtable will focus on how far we’ve come in 30 years with women in the outdoor industry – and where we still need to go. Men and women are encouraged to attend this roundtable to discuss the progress and pitfalls of the last 30 years and dialogue about what the next decade or two will bring to women in the outdoor sports. What role does mentoring play? How do associations (like POMA) assist women in their chosen career?

Self-Editing Tips – Karen Lee: Cleanliness is next to godliness when it comes to copy. But working well with an editor goes beyond the red pen. Let’s talk frank about avoiding editors’ pet peeves and presenting content that generates more assignments. For 15 years, Lee has helmed several magazines and more at the National Wild Turkey Federation — and she’s an open book as to what works, what’s annoying and what it takes to keep the work flowing both ways.

Outdoor Video With the Pros – Steve Hargis, Dave Appleton, Alan (“AAA”) Roberts – Bass Pro Professionals

Get ready for one of the most fast-paced, information-packed video production seminars you’ll ever encounter.

Steve Hargis is Director of Film and Video Production for Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, Missouri. He is a passionate, creative, hands-on leader who has guided the department since its inception nearly three decades ago. Steve and seasoned freelance videographer Dave Appleton will teach POMA attendees all about the latest techniques, equipment, and scripting philosophies specific to producing award-winning fishing and hunting videos.

Annually, Steve’s team at Bass Pro Shops produces 400 national TV commercials and 55 original half-hour television shows about fishing, hunting and the outdoors, which air on NBC Sports, the Outdoor Channel, and others. Additional production projects include content for web and a signage network of more than 200 digital screens throughout all Bass Pro Shops’ stores.

From cameras, lenses, iPhones and tripods to YouTube, web and television broadcast, Steve, Dave and a panel of experts will bring you up to speed on all things video and stir your creative juices.
 

Ethics of Asking – 5 Ws of Handling Product – Kevin HOward, steve MCgrath, Tammy SApp

Learn the ethics of asking for product from companies, what and what not to do, and find out what they expect in return.
 

Insurance Coverage/Risk Management – Don Pickard

Photographers/Producers are usually required to show evidence of insurance for property owners, municipalities, state or local forest services (known as additional insured certificates). The need for having General Liability Insurance, how it works in the USA and abroad. Discuss having a Business Insurance Policy, what is needed to insure owned and rented camera/video equipment, coverage territory (USA vs. Worldwide) and insurance requirements for renting production gear. Equipment deductibles, coverages offered and common exclusions will be discussed. How workers compensation works for employees or independent contractors (1099) and review Errors & Omissions Insurance coverages. Any POMA member may obtain an instant insurance proposal at www.tcpinsurance.com.
 

Cross-Platform Book Promotion – Chris Cheng

Chris Cheng has recently become a best-selling author, with the first run of his book “Shoot to Win” selling out in just two weeks after being released. Chris will explain how to promote your books across the different sales platforms available, to boost sales. Discover book publishing “Dos”, and promotional strategies applicable to all businesses, not just book publishing.
 

KIds and camo – John Annoni

Renowned youth mentor John Annoni gives insight to how the outdoors can reach into the city, and introduce a whole new generation to the traditional outdoor sports.
 

Conservation Collaboration – Karen lee, James POwell, LIndsay Thomas, Jr.

Let’s unite to save our lifestyle! Wildlife conservation funding and our hunting lifestyle face monumental challenges. We’re losing critical habitat every day, and hunter numbers aren’t growing at a rate that will positively impact the future of hunting. Wildlife, wild places and the hunt won’t survive if we don’t work together. Join professionals from three major conservation groups and learn why we need to get past just getting along. It will take a united industry to make a difference. Discover ways the outdoor media can foster that unity and be part of the solution.
 

Write it Right – Bryan Hendricks

Outdoor Film Tour – Gary Wilson

POMA sponsors the Outdoor Film Tour and Gary Wilson will cover the associations’ and producers’ best practices and next decade trends for outdoor film. Films will be available for viewing during the day on Thursday, March 19.
 

Green Ribbon Meeting (First-Timers)

New attendees are invited to the Green Ribbon session to network and hit the ground running to make the most of the opportunities and minimize the learning curve.

Sessions and times are subject to change without notification.