Connect09 Australia is set to change the face of industry forums forever. This marketing and business forum, aimed at print providers who are seeking new ways to build their business, takes place on 19 and 20 October at the Wentworth Sofitel in Sydney. The forum will make available to delegates a complete suite of self-help marketing resources, called FutureProof Kit, which will allow them to create new business streams and differentiate their products and services.

FutureProof Kit (www.futureproofkit.com) is all about high-margin applications. A set of pre-built templates for cross media marketing campaigns have been developed to address several categories including direct marketing, books and manuals, photo books, collateral and brochures, as well as online social stationery (celebratory and greeting cards).

But this is just the start.  Print providers do not require any marketing experience to run a successful campaign. The investment in FutureProof Kit also provides access to expert marketing campaign services for any one campaign in a single category. These services include database cleansing & merging, address verification, postal barcode generation, the provision of a print ready file and the deployment of a personalised microsite.  

"Using the information and templates contained in the FutureProof Kit, delegates can learn more about the business opportunities available through dynamic applications, evaluate enabling solutions, and use pre-built cross-media campaigns to effectively market their products and services," says Eliot Harper, managing director at Eliot & Co and the brains behind FutureProof Kit. "Each campaign uses proven creative concepts and copy to ensure maximum response."

And for users who prefer fully customised campaigns or need help promoting their business, the kit provides information on a range of affordable services to meet users' needs, including professional design, campaign development and marketing communications.

In addition to the selection of application-based resources and services, FutureProof Kit also offers a range of other tools to give business owners the marketing support they need to promote their brand. These tools include:

•    Campaign Planner - a step-by-step guide for developing a creative brief and planning the different elements of a marketing campaign.
•    ROI Calculator - lets users calculate a projected campaign return, before building a program.
•    Ask an Expert - a free service that enables users to ask business and marketing related questions to a panel of industry experts, in confidence.

"I believe that Connect09 will be the first event of its kind to provide value to its attendees through an offering of this kind," says Harper. "It is not longer enough to provide attendees with a set of presentation notes or case studies – there needs to be long lasting benefits and we believe that FutureProof Kit will pave the way for true value-add at seminar and conference events in the future."

According to Harper, gone are the days that small to medium businesses can rely on normal day-to-day interactions with their existing clients. "It is now, more than ever before, important that businesses get out there and effectively market their product offerings. Whether they want to acquire new business, increase customer loyalty or up sell and cross sell, FutureProof Kit can help to achieve their objectives. And what's more, they can do this without the need for big marketing budgets."

InfoTrends, world leaders in marketing consulting and research for the graphic arts industry, who will present at and moderate Connect09, has welcomed the FutureProof Kit initiative. Barb Pellow, keynote speaker and marketing expert, representing InfoTrends at Connect09 said that Mr Harper has set a benchmark for 'adding value' to business events of this kind.

"Tools like FutureProof Kit are important for building and understanding business and companies need to take advantage of these resources as well as the Connect '09 event to accelerate business," commented Ms. Pellow.

FutureProof Kit will only be available to Connect09 attendees. "The campaign categories and templates will be made available for immediate use as soon as prospective attendees register for the forum and place an order for the kit," says Harper. "The kit is available to conference attendees at $395.00 for a single day attendance and $295.00 if they attend both days."

More information on FutureProof Kit can be found at www.futureproofkit.com

Registration for Connect09 Australia is now open. For more information, go to www.connectaustralia.com.au or contact Eliot Harper at [email protected]. Phone enquiries about partnership participation can be directed to Eliot at 02 9881 5862.