A message from the Executive Director: Spring Update!

Spring Update

Final planning is on track for the IPA’s spring conference in Chicago, coming up quickly April 20-22. If you haven’t made your reservations yet, please do so. We’re very excited about the program and I’m looking forward to seeing all of you there.

As many of you may know, we’re celebrating the IPA’s 25th anniversary this year and we’re going to be highlighting that milestone at the conference. So please check your memories and your files to see if you can find interesting anecdotes, old photos, or other memorabilia that will help us illustrate the association’s history and tell its story. Forward anything you find to me or to Tracy.

Committee News
The IPA’s hard-working volunteer committees are focused on delivering a variety of interesting and important projects. You will be hearing about three new initiatives in particular at our conference:

• The American College Course. We’ll be introducing our first on-line course providing an overview of direct investments and offering continuing education credits for advisors.
• Lightbulb Press Guide to Direct Investments. We’re redesigning this very popular client information brochure and hope to have it approved and available in Chicago.
• IPA Web Site. We’re revamping the association’s Web site, changing its look and feel, enhancing its content and incorporating a search engine optimization strategy – all aimed at enhancing the IPA’s visibility and strengthening its image as the trusted resource for the direct investment industry.

The IPA Wants You!
The IPA is its committees. This is where the action is for the association and this is the place to be if you want to have an impact on the organization. Click here to view the list of IPA Committees, their mission statements and their chairpersons. All committees need additional help. Remember many hands make for light work. Find a spot that matches your interests and put your skills and expertise to work for your association and your industry. Contact Tracy Mesterharm if you have an interest in joining a committee.

One Last Thing
We’re creating a new Public Relations Committee, consisting of media and public relations professionals from member firms. The committee’s charge will be to formulate a proactive, ongoing media communications strategy, using the IPA as a vehicle to promote and strengthen the direct investment industry. If you want more information about this committee or (even better) if you want to join it, contact Tracy Mesterharm. We will be scheduling that committee’s first meeting in early April.

Winter is rapidly drawing to a close and with the advent of spring I trust you are anticipating a spring filled with new growth and a productive spring conference. See you in Chicago.