By: Lynmarie Lane, L Squared Marketing Group LLC
What’s that expression… always a bridesmaid, never a bride? For more than 20 years, I have been part of the Legal Marketing Association, and have held various roles within the Midwest chapter including serving on the Chicago Local Steering Committee, judging Your Honor Awards, and speaking at various events. I continue to be active in the organization but didn’t YET have the experience of attending the annual conference that I had heard so much about.
I was determined to change that in 2024. After starting my own shingle, L Squared Marketing Group LLC, I knew that I had to go to the conference, not only to represent #MidwestEngage but also to grow my knowledge base by learning from the many fantastic speakers. In the process, I knew that I would make connections with the hundreds of like-minded legal marketers who were attending.
Simply put, I was “ALL IN."
Of my many observations from the conference, there are two that really stick out:
- Members of the Legal Marketing Association are smart, talented, motivated, and highly successful at what they do. I engaged with colleagues I hadn’t seen in 10 years and shared insights with colleagues I just met. This “crossroads” of connections really helped me feel a belonging that I hadn’t felt in some time.
- Our industry is changing… and rapidly. Several of the presentations focused on new technologies, namely AI, and how marketers can and should be using tech to advance our profession. The future truly is “now,” and I can’t wait to get my hands of those conference recordings to start using new technologies for my business. Sure, we know AI, but listening to a panel of experts discussing how they use AI in their legal marketing departments was quite awesome.
It will be some time before I get off the high of my experiences last week. I have so many new ideas and a much stronger legal marketing network. I am truly thankful to the LMA Midwest for the scholarship and excited for what the future holds for me and my colleagues in LMA.
It was a fantastic three days. No longer a bridesmaid, I made the best of my time at the conference. If you get a chance to go to next year’s conference in Washington, D.C. or even a regional meeting or gathering, take my advice and “GO ALL IN.” After doing so this year, I have a renewed commitment to my body of knowledge and sense of belonging within the outstanding LMA community.
Indeed, the future is bright. #LMA #40rward