ABOUT THE EVENT:

On behalf of the Chicago Chapter Board of the National Sports Marketing Network (NSMN), we cordially invite you to attend the inaugural Midwest Brand Exchange 2007 -- the first-ever organized “think tank” for sports sponsors - organized in our industry!

At this unique and exclusive, boardroom-style forum, you will be among sports marketing’s leading and most innovative brand decision-makers who will participate in a "think-tank" discussion about their corporate strategies, as they share their thinking on the latest industry trends and news.  

NSMN’s national membership will be given a unique opportunity to listen in on what is on the minds of the leaders who drive the brand spending in our industry! Limited audience tickets are available. Don't miss it! Register now!

Bill Becker Director, Global Brand Center of Excellence JOHN DEERE Dockery Clark Director, Sports & Alliance Marketing MILLER BREWING COMPANY Timothy Clarke General Manager WILSON SPORTING GOODS Carol A. Czaplicki Director of Marketing ATHLETICO REHABILITATION FITNESS PERFORMANCE Tim Hadzima Vice President, Director of Sports Marketing LASALLE BANK CORPORATION Pam Hollander Director of Sponsorship Marketing ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY Mark Hosbein Senior Vice President, Brand Management & Advertising DISCOVER CARD

Julie Koewler Managing Director, Worldwide Marketing Communications UNITED AIRLINES John Lewicki Senior Director, Alliance Marketing MCDONALD'S Jim Newcomb Manager of Corporate Identity & Sponsorships BOEING Tim Schoen Vice President, Sports & Entertainment Marketing ANHEUSER-BUSCH Jeff Urban Senior Vice President, Sports & Event Marketing GATORADE Derrick Walker Vice President, Marketing THE FINISH LINE Bobby Wilkinson National Sponsorships Marketing Manager STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES

THINK-TANK FACILITATORS:

Rick Burton Chief Marketing Officer UNITED STATES OLYMPIC COMMITTEE Dan McGrath Associate Managing Editor, Sports CHICAGO TRIBUNE Irving Rein, Ph.D. Professor of Communication Studies NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION

Conversation during the "think-tank" will feature the following:

• Discuss what is affecting change in your marketplace and why?
• How will new media, such as blogs, podcasts and the digital space affect your marketing strategies and how will you continue to adapt?
• How do current events, domestically and internationally effect your marketability of products with consumers?
• Are your consumers changing and how will you adapt to that change?
• Discuss recent sports scandals and if they had an effect the sponsorship business and ROI?  Will companies now have a different outlook on endorsement deals?
• If the U.S. wins the 2016 Olympic Bid, what will Chicago’s role as Olympic host mean for the city in terms of sponsorship, media and fan experience?
• What are you expecting to happen in sports that might take your brand to next level?  And what might happen that might hurt the success and marketability of your brand?
• How does advertising and media buying enhance a sponsorship buy?
• Discuss what you feel have been the best media buys in Chicago over the past decade and why?
• Discuss ROI and how its role has changed over the years.
• What drives your brand’s spending today and how will that change in the next ten years?

THE PRIVATE EVENT WILL INCLUDE:

• An intimate, invitation-only VIP Luncheon for speakers, NSMN Board members, and distinguished guests where you will have your first opportunity to meet face-to-face with executive-level colleagues to network and share ideas.
• Think-Tank discussion with leading Midwest-area sports-focused brand marketers.   More than 200 sports marketers serving as audience members listening in and participating with dialogue and exchange.
  
• Cocktail Party for all attendees and speakers