Florida Direct Marketing Association Hosts Direct Mail Fundraising Success meeting. From one mailed letter non-profits can raise millions.

Fort Lauderdale, FL January 2006, “Direct Mail Fundraising Success" is the topic for the FDMA’s monthly luncheon on Thursday, January 19th at the Westin Hotel on Cypress Creek Road and I-95 in Fort Lauderdale from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The meeting is open to the public with registration and networking beginning at 11:30 am.

Panel discussion featuring:
Dale Filhaber, President of Dataman Group Direct Mail + Telemarketing Lists
Larry Montali, Managing Partner + Creative Director of New River Communications
Sam Gil, Marketing Director of Camillus House

Individual Americans donate more than $100 billion each year to charities. Some write small checks for $10 or $20. Other donors make contributions for many thousands. But the odds are that even such vastly different donors have something surprising in common: each made a first gift in response to a letter they received asking for financial support.

For the vast majority of givers, even those who eventually become large donors, the first letter was probably a direct mail letter like those you find in your mailbox every day. How do those letters transform total strangers into loyal friends whose generosity supports your organization? That's what direct mail is all about! This program will help educate direct marketers and non-profit organizations to the best practices of Direct Mail Fundraising. You need not be a fundraiser or non-profit to benefit from this discussion.

The FDMA has a full calendar of monthly events including February’s topic:

"How Land O'Lakes Got 33% Response, Key Data and 30% More Sales by Doing Different Direct Mail"
Guest Speaker: Les Layton, Whitney Worldwide & Whitney Marketing, Thursday, February 16, 2006

Advance registration for the January 19th meeting is $35- $45, including a FULL lunch. Register by contacting Laura Silverman, FDMA Executive Director at 954-724-3662 or info@fdma.org. You can also register online at www.fdma.org.

About the Florida Direct Marketing Association

The FDMA has nearly 200 members, including catalogers, Internet retailers, financial services providers, publishers, book and music clubs and retail stores. “Direct marketing” is the art and science of sending one-to-one promotional messages directly to consumers, which allows marketers to measure response rates and campaign effectiveness. The FDMA was a chapter of the national Direct Marketing Association from late 2002 until August 1, 2005, when it once again became an independent, better and stronger organization.

FDMA luncheon meetings are typically held on the third Thursday of each month at the Westin Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. New members get their first lunch free when they join. Special membership rates available for non-profit organizations as well.

Contact: Keith Fletcher, FDMA Board Member, 954-547-1965