Ahhhh, My First Time

I’ll never forget my first time.  There were a couple of beers to start it all off, the surprisingly comforting soundtrack of laughter in the background, and plenty of welcoming, friendly people to ease me in and explain how it all works…

Ad 2 Orlando’s New Year Kick Off Social was a huge success!

I chose to get fully involved with the process and take a board position on Ad 2.  Go big or go home, right?  Until this first event, most of the time I’d spent with Ad 2 was in the confines of a board room discussing what we were going to do and working in the field trying to fill sponsorship positions.  Man, was it a lot of work.  More than I’d ever seen go into a networking/volunteer group.  I’d also never seen the results of that amount of work going into a networking/volunteer group.  There’s a reason why this group won so many national awards last year!

The night started off with a couple of tasty brews from Orlando Brewing, Co. and a tour of the brewery to experience the magic of beer-making.  The Red Ale goes down nicely!  After a few short handshakes and introductions, I felt like I’d been a part of Ad2 for years.  Every member was a young professional that would like to further their career in Advertising.  They’re all employed by Central Florida’s Ad Agencies, Media Outlets, and various other types of companies that all share the same passion for Advertising.  I was able to toss around a few ideas with fellow colleagues that I never would have met without Ad 2.  It all felt more like a happy hour with friends than a networking event.

After learning about the upcoming Ad 2 Orlando season I’m excited to roll up the sleeves and get to work again, make it out to a conference and hear seminars by long-time professionals in the field, fill that warm-fuzzy void by helping out a non-profit, and come on… Kickball tournaments?  I’ll dominate a kickball tournament.

-Dave Waring, Ad 2 Orlando Sponsorship Chair, and Account Manager at WOM-XFM Mix 105.1

Holy Full Ad 2 Schedule!

It’s our first month of the new year… and we started it off on the right foot… and then the left… and then we started sprinting! With a lot of budgeting, scheduling and party planning, your board of directors have worked very hard to fill your calendar with great events! As you’ll see below, some are fun, some are educational, some career-building and most will be offering lots of drinks!

Take a look, jot them down in your calendar and keep a lookout for updates in our bi-weekly newsletter. Not on the email list? Click here to sign up!

Upcoming events and important dates:

Ad 2 New Year Kick Off at Orlando Brewing. On Thursday, August 12th we will be offering $10 off your Ad 2 Memberships. This is also your chance to meet this year’s board of directors, find out about our plans for the year and sign up for committees. Oh yea, you can also take a tour of Orlando’s very own brewery and mingle advertising professionals and their friends.

Ad 2 Orlando 2010-2011 Public Service Campaign – We are now accepting applications from non-profits to be the beneficiary of this year’s campaign. Applications are due before August 25.

The Ad 2 Orlando Media Auction continues! Calling all bidders! The online auction will continue on from August 16th to 25th. Get 75-90% off media, gift cards, services and more!

More-Than-Media Mingle – Donors and winners are invited on August 26th to Crave by Mall of Millenia at 6pm. Pick up your winning items from the auction and have a coctail to celebrate!

Ad 2 Orlando Kickball Tshirt Competition – Win this competition and have all of the players at this annual event wear your shirt! Enter by emailing your design by September 3rd to president@ad2orlando.org.

SERVE – An Ad 2 Program and Fundraiser on September 23rd at 6pm. Join us at the Orlando Science Center to learn more about our public service initiative, see last year’s campaign for The Center for Great Apes and sign-up to help one lucky non-profit this year.

Government Relations Program Learn more about legislative issues affecting the advertising industry and its future with 4th District AAF Lobbyist, Jack Hebert, on November 11th.

Annual Kickball Tournament – Four Teams, Two Games, One Winner. Grab your face paint and sweatbands and keep on the lookout for our third annual Ad 2 Orlando Kickball Tournament in mid October. Details coming soon.