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Canright Calendar

The Canright Calendar is a weekly email of networking events in Chicago. View all of our events here. Sign up for the list here. If you have any other suggestions you’d like us to consider, send them to Alexandra at alexandra@canrightcommunications.com.

WEEK OF 03-29-20212

At our featured events, embrace the future of privacy and learn how identity disruption is changing the status quo, grab a coffee and discuss finding a professional mentor, and relax with a family-friendly tale of a not-so-scary monster.

Identity Crisis: Embracing the Future of Privacy
Wednesday, March 31, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT – WEBINAR
The imminent end of cookies. Major changes to iOS 14. Privacy-enhancing technologies in both the browser and OS. Everywhere you look, identity disruption rooted in privacy and data protection concerns is upending the digital advertising industry. Instead of holding tight to the status quo, it’s time to understand why things are changing, what is changing, and the frameworks for thinking about how to harness the change.
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PWCC Coffee and Collaboration: Finding a Mentor
Wednesday, April 7, 8:30 am – 9:30 am CDT – WEBINAR
Grab a cup of coffee and join the Young Professionals of the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago for an ongoing conversation surrounding topics top of mind for mid-level and millennial professionals. Each month is a new topic, creating a vibrant exchange of ideas and a space for us to connect and grow together. This month, discuss how to find a professional mentor or sponsor.
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Leonardo and Sam: The Terrible Monster and the Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World, Respectively
Streaming on demand through April 4
Emmy Award®–winning company, Manual Cinema tells Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence Mo Willems’ tale of a not-so-scary monster. This performance is approximately 60 minutes long and features new cinematic puppetry techniques, an original score and a touching story. Most enjoyed by ages 5+.
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WEEK OF 03-22-2021

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The Pandemic, a Year In: How Medline is on a Mission to Help Healthcare Run Better
Tuesday, March 23, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CDT – WEBINAR
The Executives’ Club of Chicago presents Medline CEO Charlie Mills, who has led the U.S.’s largest privately-held healthcare supplies manufacturing and distribution company since 1997. A year into the pandemic, learn how Medline is caring for its customers, while on a mission to make healthcare run better.
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Neuroscience of Purpose
Thursday, March 25, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm CDT – WEBINAR
Neuroscience research has shown how purpose and meaning inform and enhance our relationships, career, and personal life. At this workshop, Dr. Judith Wright, co-founder of the Wright Foundation and award-winning author, brings her 30 years of experience and teaching to help you find your purpose and create a vibrant, dynamic life every day.
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Curating Joy in Your Space
Wednesday, March 24, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm CDT – WEBINAR
We’ve been spending more time than ever at home. How can you express yourself creatively and authentically in a space that serves so many functions (school, work, gym etc.)? Organization expert Megan Spillman will share techniques from Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method™ that can be applied in your space right away to boost joy and free up space and energy to focus on what’s most important to you, personally and professionally.
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WEEK OF 02-15-2021

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NBC 5 Chicago’s “Race in Chicago” Series
Wednesday, February 17, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
As many in America and Chicago sought new awareness about race in 2020, NBC 5 started an ongoing series of reports called “Race in Chicago”. Join the Publicity Club of Chicago as NBC 5 Chicago’s Marion Brooks, LeeAnn Trotter, and Lauren Stauffer share key highlights from the series, share details on future stories, and answer attendee questions.
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A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham
Saturday, February 20, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
Acclaimed for his scholarship, his documentary films about African, Afro-Latin, and African American History, and his popular television series, “Finding Your Roots,” Henry Louis Gates, Jr., has brought fascinating African American family stories to the wider public. The Festival’s marquee event features a conversation between ASALH’s national president Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham and Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who will share his thoughts and motivations in popularizing Black History through the heritage of African American families and communities and their search for roots.
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Visit the ASALH website for a complete list of events.

Revamping Your D&I Initiatives to Embrace Racial Equity
Tuesday, February 23, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
Fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment in which each employee feels welcome to be themselves is necessary for their wellbeing as well as for the growth of any organization. Join the French-American Chamber of Commerce-Chicago for a discussion about racial equity with Charlene Thomas, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at UPS. Charlene will share her experience and perspectives on the importance of implementing a racially inclusive work culture to ensure a greater integration and better representation of minorities. The discussion will be moderated by Deisha Barnett, Chief Brand & Communications Officer, Head of Diversity & Inclusion at the Metro Atlanta Chamber.
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Additional Upcoming Events:
What’s Next? Two Tech Titans Discuss The Future
Wednesday, February 24, 9:30 am – 10:15 am CST – WEBINAR
LEARN MORE & REGISTER
Sustainability, Governance & Diversity: A View from the Board
Wednesday, February 24, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
LEARN MORE & REGISTER
Diving with a Purpose: Recovering and Reexamining Our Roots
Wednesday, February 24, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm CST – WEBINAR
LEARN MORE & REGISTER

WEEK OF 02-02-2021

2021 Black History Month Virtual Festival

The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity

A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham

Saturday, February 20, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
Acclaimed for his scholarship, his documentary films about African, Afro-Latin, and African American History, and his popular television series, “Finding Your Roots,” Henry Louis Gates, Jr., has brought fascinating African American family stories to the wider public. The Festival’s marquee event features a conversation between ASALH’s national president Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham and Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who will share his thoughts and motivations in popularizing Black History through the heritage of African American families and communities and their search for roots.
REGISTER

Additional Upcoming Events

Data to Dollars

Tuesday, February 2, 8:00 am – 9:00 am CST – WEBINAR
From healthcare to financial services to digital marketing, we now have access to more information on consumers and users than ever before, and yet companies still struggle to convert that data into tangible added value. Given this reality, how do companies ensure they are effectively converting their data to positively impact their bottom line? What moral obligations should companies adhere to in this new era of public concern over data privacy? Join The Executives’ Club Business Technology and Financial Services Forums to discuss these key trends and more.
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Good Cyber Hygiene: Strategies To Disinfect Digital Payments

Wednesday, February 3, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm CST – WEBINAR
The increased adoption of digital channels during the pandemic has created value for all stakeholders – consumers, issuers, and fraudsters. As the industry moves towards digital-first models, this panel will review the counter-strategies and techniques required to mitigate the ever-evolving threat.
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2021 Edelman Trust Barometer

Thursday, February 11, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST – WEBINAR
After a year of unprecedented disaster and turbulence – the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, the global outcry over systemic racism and political instability – the 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer reveals an epidemic of misinformation and widespread mistrust of societal institutions and leaders around the world. Join Richard Edelman, President & CEO of Edelman, for a presentation of the findings of the 21st annual Trust Barometer, the world’s most robust exploration on trust across 33,000 respondents in 28 markets. An expert panel will discuss the implications of the findings and explore the mandate for institutions to rebuild trust and chart a new path forward within an environment of information bankruptcy.
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How to Market Wealth and Capital-Markets Technology Innovations

The complexity and maturity of a technology help determine the content used to market and promote it. And as with any marketing and PR campaign, the audience you want to reach and the purpose you want to achieve come first.

At Canright, our wealth-technology marketing content focuses on solutions and the value they bring to clients. Take a look at these projects we completed over the summer to see how we presented software applications that solve long-standing business and technology problems.

Greater Transparency in Reporting as a Technology Marketing Advantage

A Northern Trust press release covers new analysis features for its Front Office Solutions portfolio reporting platform—and how they make alternative asset valuations more timely.
https://bit.ly/NT-FrontOffice

Enhanced User Experience and Deeper Data Analysis

Creating PR for large enterprises is a team effort. We contributed messaging to this one for a new Northern Trust Insurance Accounting and Analytics application, which expands legacy-based reporting functions by moving to the public cloud.
https://bit.ly/NT-InsuranceAccounting

Total Cost of Owning and Managing Options Market Data

A new service of the SpiderRock trading and risk platform provides institutional investors with a system to buy accurate options data tailored to specific trading use cases. This white paper focuses on best practices to give useful information to potential clients while showcasing the firm’s expertise and leadership in options market data.
https://bit.ly/SpiderRockOptionsDataOwnership

Increased Business Competitiveness and Software Developer Productivity

Emerging technology solutions entail the most risk and, as a result, often require more detailed explanation. This is especially true when selling to business executives and technology leaders in an enterprise market. We developed this brief to educate potential customers and internal stakeholders on what infrastructure-as-code can provide to software development teams.
https://bit.ly/CanrightTechBrief-Serverless

Our clients work with the technologies that are determining the shape of business, commerce, and finance. We help them market and sell their ideas, innovations, products, and solutions through clear communications.

Contact me at (312) 281-6262 or collin@canrightcommunications.com to see how we can help you.

Don’t Miss the Boat – or the Truck – with Advertising

I see it all the time with box trucks around Chicago. The value is endless for some and a missed opportunity for others. As a marketer with a background in design, I’m compelled to follow and analyze advertising and design trends. I can’t help but look around our city, taking photos and creating mental notes of what works visually and what fails to hit the mark.

And one thing I’ve noticed frequently of late is that some companies are completely missing the boat with advertising — or rather, a lack of advertising — on the side of their box trucks. Think about it: A box truck is a permanent, moving billboard that’s impossible to miss. It screams opportunity. The small upfront cost to create a design and place it on the truck is peanuts to the dollar compared to the free delivery of the ad and brand for the lifespan of the vehicle. The truck doesn’t even have to be on the road to find its audience. A striking design will catch eyeballs and spread brand awareness if the truck is parked in a lot or waiting for a green light at State and Wacker.

Yet still we see big trucks with tiny, little advertisements plastered on the side, some so small you need to stand right next to it to make it out. It bugs me that business owners aren’t taking advantage of this valuable space. However, not everyone is missing the mark. Plenty of sharp businesses have fantastic designs created for their vehicles. Here are a few companies that have their truck advertisements down pat.

— Christina Canright.

The Art of Gracious Networking

Growing up, I remember wanting to learn how to be social. I was shy, but I wanted to engage with people, be seen and be heard, and have good manners, to boot.

So I started reading Emily Post, who was basically the bible of good manners at that time, and then later moved on to Judith Martin’s column called “Miss Manners” in the late 1970s. Any questions I had on etiquette—how to write a thank-you letter, how to be a courteous guest—I would do my best to follow their lead. When I found myself thinking about networking and the next blog I would write, I realized there are a few things that matter most to me when meeting new people. First and foremost, I believe all people deserve respect. It’s one of my core values, and it’s why I care so much about good manners—all those guides to good manners took the lead from a belief in respect for others.

Years later, and my manners have served me well. I’ve grown, and I’ve learned how to engage more meaningfully with people in social situations. One of my biggest takeaways is that a gracious, interested conversationalist always has a step up in social situations. I strive to engage in that way. My my beliefs come from within, I still seek advice from other sources. My own personal development has been boosted by the leadership work I do at the Wright Foundation, which I credit for helping me better engage with others, be myself when I approach new people and be curious about those that I meet.

I’m still trying to learn to be as gracious as I can be, so I’m always thrilled to hear about tips on engagement and manners from other networking aficionados. Here are a few tips I enjoyed about being gracious from around the Web:

Three Gracious Networking “Do’s”

1. Make a point to say goodbye.
agree with what Tamsin Lejeune, founder of Ethical Fashion Forum, told Marie Claire Magazine: “Making as much as an effort with your ‘goodbye’ as with your ‘hello,’ means people remember you for all the right reasons. It’s also a great way to show that you’ve valued speaking to them…”

For starters, it’s good manners, and it’s another way to acknowledge the people that you met. Saying “goodbye” is a bigger a deal than most people realize. I also call it classy.

2. Be generous. I loved what former presidential advisor Christine Comaford had to say about networking. “I do a lot of favors for people, because I believe in ‘palm-up’ networking,” Comaford told Tim Ferris, which she describes as a “networking to give” philosophy. Networking is about offering what you can do for people, not first asking what people can do for you.

3. Embrace learning opportunities. It’s important to remember that most people, when asked, want to help others. That’s why I liked what Mindy Lockard wrote in a blog post called The Gracious Girl’s Guide to Networking:

“Some of the best networking happens because we ask others to teach us. So often we think that by networking, we have to sell ourselves as the experts. But let’s be honest, there is very little humility in that.”

None of us are going to be experts in everything, so why should we be afraid to ask for help or advice? You never know what lengths someone will go to help you. It’s assuming others want to help and have good will for you.

Turn Conference Visitors into Engaged Prospects

Once the conference is over, the zoom meeting ended or the booths packed away, what’s next? It’s time to follow up with the people you met and the contacts you collected.

Banks and FinTech firms often like to talk about the latest products, platform, app, and everything they do. Don’t do it. Business executives really don’t care.

Instead, make your marketing follow-up personal: include links to stories related to what you learned at the show about the industry and its future. You’ll find those stories in the conversations you had and presentations you heard at the conferences.

Here’s how one company strategically used content from its event in its ongoing marketing follow up. To build a reputation as a go-to source of FinTech knowledge in wealth management, Morningstar:

Commissioned us to write a follow-up article on one of its FinTech forums to summarize the key points on how FinTech delivers value.
Hired a videographer to produce a story on the event experience, from the street in Lower Manhattan up to the Morningstar’s World Trade Center 4 offices, where the event took place.
Included interviews with panelists and attendees to provide further insights.
Posted the event coverage on social media and asked panelists to share it.

Take a look at the result: Morningstar FinTech Forum video

Get a marketing boost from your conference or event. Call Collin Canright at (773) 426-7000 or email him at collin@canrightcommunications.com.