September 2023 President’s Note

I hope you had a memory-rich summer and you’re looking forward to a terrific fall.

While I love summer, September always energizes me and feels like a second new year. Children head back to school, the country transforms into pumpkin everything, and businesses gear up for a strong quarter and prepare for 2024.

At the CMA, we’re focused on supporting the profession to ensure you and your organization thrive.

Helping you stay on top of new technologies like Generative AI is a great example. We have thought leadership articles on a wide range of AI topics available on our website, including a new series from the CMA’s AI Working Group.

We’ve also expanded our AI Training sessions for this fall to ensure marketers at all levels can understand Generative AI and learn how best to use it. How AI Can Make You a Better Marketer is designed for junior to mid-level marketers. Generative AI & the Future of Marketing: An Executive Overview is well suited to VPs and CMOs. Knowing that budgets are tight at this time of year, we’re also offering group rates.

Helping nurture the next generation of marketing talent with CMA NXT is another way we’re futureproofing the profession. The program bridges the gap between post-secondary school and a successful marketing career. As post-secondaries across the country return to school, they’re being greeted by our largest group of CMA NXT student ambassadors. 

Students (and people just starting their marketing career) can also join our CMA NXT Marketing Career Night on September 20th. It's a great way to learn about the many directions a marketing career can take. Our last career night attracted over 600 students from across Canada.

We’re excited to bring the marketing community together in person next week for our CMA Media Evolution event on September 14th. There’s also a hybrid option, so members across the country can easily join us. We’re hosting a cocktail reception after the event, so you can catch up with your friends in the profession.

Thought leadership is another way we support the profession. On that note, we’re kicking off our 2022-24 Council term on September 19th. We’re pleased to have over 150 thought leaders from brands, agencies, service providers and NFPs participating in this dynamic community.

While the CMA Awards Gala in November feels a long way away, many marketers were kept busy this summer judging. We received even more award submissions this year and were thrilled with the high calibre of the creative. Many thanks to all our judges for their great work. The gala ticket sales have just launched – they sold out early last year, so be careful not to wait too long.

September is off to a strong start, and I hope to see you in the coming weeks. As always, I also welcome the opportunity to meet one-to-one. So, don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to chat. 

Warm regards,
Alison
President & CEO