September 2009 - POMA Briefs
Posted: September 01, 2009
| St. Louis Conference ... The Best Yet |
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The conference attendees' surveys have been tallied. The overwhelming response was, "The St. Louis conference was the best to date." Welcome Event: The Busch Mansion front lawn and tours, entertainment, Matt the Clydesdale, incredible food and great friends. Matt's the Clydesdale that kicked the field goal in the Super Bowl Commercial. Business-Building Sessions: Blake Discher hit home runs with sessions on negotiating and Web marketing. In addition, Perry Trest and Jill Browne pulled members into the future focusing them on video content and writing for the Web. Product Showcase & Shooting Day: Separating the product displays (Product Showcase) and Shooting Day increased the success of both events. And, members have offered great suggestions to make them even better next year. Watch the Conference Slide Show Suggest Session Topics or Speakers Speaking of next year, POMA President Bill Miller has instructed the Conference Committee to plan a program focused on new media, technology and hands-on learning sessions. |
| Bylaws Changes |
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During a meeting on July 29, 2009, the board of directors finalized the language on several bylaws amendments that had been approved during the course of the year.
All bylaws changes must be ratified by the Voting Media Members.
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| Auction Raises $35K |
POMA's annual live and silent auctions, which are held in conjunction with POMA's business conference, raised more than $35,000 for the organization.
Auction funds go into the organization's operating fund and are used to provide services to all POMA members.
 One of the keys to the incredible success of the auctions was the partnership with Gunbroker.com, which allowed folks outside of POMA to bid on items.Although the Gunbroker.com portion of the auction was a huge success, changes are expected for next year, based on member suggestions.
"Many POMA members asked that the on-site conference auctions be focused on the members in attendance," explained Laurie Lee Dovey, executive director. "As a result, items auctioned by the live auctioneer will be open for bidding by conference attendees only."
Gunbroker.com auctions will continue to be available for bidding by members and non-members throughout the year and at conference but will not be the focus of the conference fund-raiser.
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| 2010 & 2011 Conferences Awarded |
 Last month, the board of directors announced the host cities for the 2010 and 2011 POMA conferences.In 2010, POMA travels to LaPorte, Ind. and the southern shore of Lake Michigan from Aug. 4 - 8. Then Odgen, Utah, the heart of the American West, hosts POMA in 2011 from Aug. 3 - 7.
"The bids presented by LaPorte and Ogden were tremendous," said Bill Miller, POMA president. "These cities understand what POMA needs to have a successful conference. They are offering the highest level CVB support and shooting and Product Showcase locations.
 "In addition, the hotels have gone the extra mile in welcoming POMA. They have frozen room rates at today's prices. In '10, the Best Western Hotel is offering $89 room rates. In '11, the Marriott is hosting members at a rate of just $95." |
| Fishing Industry Outreach - Making Progress |
 If conference attendees' interest in American Sportfishing Association (ASA) President Mike Nussman's presentation in St. Louis is any indication, POMA's Fishing Industry Outreach Program has tremendous potential.POMA journalists cover and support fishing. More than 50 percent of member journalists communicate about fishing and related issues. As a result, the fishing industry has much to gain by connecting with POMA.
During his presentation in St. Louis, Nussman discussed the state of the fishing industry and touched on ways POMA and the industry might work together to reach mutually beneficial goals.
POMA President Bill Miller is continuing the organization's commitment to connecting with the fishing industry through the efforts of the 2009 - 2010 Fishing Industry Outreach Committee, participation by POMA at the Sportfishing Summit this fall and an increased presence at ICAST next summer.
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| Membership Services - How's POMA Doing? |
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Membership services were a key topic of discussion during the July 29, 2009, board meeting. While Money Line will continue to receive a great deal of focus, some other programs may be eliminated or put on hold.
The results of a membership survey, focused on current services, will assist the board in assessing which programs are of value and which are not. All members are encouraged to complete the survey.
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| POMA Awarded a Seat for Supreme Court Session |
 If Stevens' conviction, which was overturned by the Third Circuit Court as unconstitutional, is upheld by the Supreme Court, the effects on outdoor journalists and the outdoor industry could be devastating - potentially making anyone who sells a depiction of legal hunting or fishing a felon.
Attorneys Beth Heifetz and David Cooper of the Jones Day law firm in Washington, D.C., filed an amicus brief in the case on behalf of POMA. Several other journalistic organizations joined POMA's brief, including the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, Pennsylvania and Texas Outdoor Writers Associations, American Society of Media Photographers and National Press Photographers Association.
POMA Executive Director Laurie Lee Dovey will attend the Supreme Court session. She will report on the events of the day directly after the hearing via POMA's FaceBook and Twitter pages. |
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