Marketing the focus of April PubTalk event

The next Clark County PubTalk will take place Tuesday, April 16 at the Fort Vancouver Artillery Barracks, 600 E Hatheway Road. The evening’s theme is “Get your marketing mojo on!”

The event will open with networking and an interactive, instant poll of marketing “pain points.” The session then will move on to an overview of the marketing life cycle, tips on how to convert marketing investments into qualified leads, and how to close sales with new and existing customers.

Dave Blanchard of Cognesis Marketing, based in Camas, will offer advice in developing a marketing strategy. Kevin Getch of the Vancouver Web design firm Webfor will focus on implementation of tactics to maximize profits.

PubTalk event planner Courtney Givens said past sessions on marketing have been big audience hits. “We have no trouble getting people in the room,” she said. “Marketing applies to every business.”

Getch has been involved in past PubTalks. Blanchard is a newcomer to the series. The former Hewlett-Packard software product marketing manager started Cognesis in 2008 and his company now boasts many national clients. Blanchard said he’s worked with a security systems company in Alaska, a vanilla grower in Hawaii, and a maid service, among others. “It’s fascinating to see all the innovation that’s going on out there,” he said.

Cost to attend PubTalk is $20 in advance and $30 at the door, and includes light refreshments. Register at http://bit.ly/XWfP7N.

PubTalk events are hosted by the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Center and the Columbia River Economic Development Council.