Report from the AMA Conference: The Future

Tuesday night was shaping up to be a typical evening in the exhibit hall at this week’s AMA Nonprofit Marketing Conference. Michael Cervino and I were chatting up conference attendees and handing out Beaconfire literature and tchotkes (a small BF-branded booklight/flashlight), glasses of white wine in hand, as the highly efficient Mandarin Oriental staff circulated with hot hors d’oeuvres.

Midway through the reception, a young gentleman who was attending the conference with his family stopped by the booth. Michael offered him a booklight, and he politely declined. “Are you sure?” asked Michael. “They’re free.” “No thank you,” he responded and moved on to the next booth. We both shrugged and returned to working the room.

About 30 minutes later, the young man returned with his father. Pointing to the booklights, he asked, “May I have one of these?” “Of course,” I responded, thinking that he had changed his mind or gotten the OK from Dad. He picked one up and asked, “Would you like a picture?” “Yes, thank you!” He then presented me with the above drawing. Dad explained that his son was an avid reader and had very much wanted one of our booklights, but didn’t feel right about accepting one without giving us something in return.

I can only hope that this is truly representative of The Future, because if it’s led by people like this young man, I think it looks pretty bright.