(09.14.09) NARM today announces the NARM Connects: Event Series, a line-up of exclusive salons and online seminars designed to supplement and enhance NARM’s already robust meeting, learning and networking opportunities offered through its Annual Convention and twice-yearly Industry Summits.

“We know the need for information and insight is greater than ever, and business partners benefit from face-to-face interaction. But in tough economic times, we know it’s harder for members to attend NARM events, so we’ve decided to bring NARM events to our members,” says NARM President Jim Donio. “These learning and networking opportunities are designed to be more affordable, easily attended sessions that take into account members busy schedules and tight travel budgets.”

The NARM Connects: Salons will be a series of exclusive, geographically-targeted, in-person get-togethers that will offer compelling speakers and panel discussions plus sponsored presentations and a mixer. These late afternoon/early evening events are designed to attract a variety of professionals from within NARM member companies, especially those involved in business development; product management; and digital sales and marketing. The schedule has been set to fit conveniently into members’ workdays and events will move to various cities to give more members opportunities to attend. The first Salon will be announced shortly.

The NARM Connects: Online Seminars, which will consist of six to eight sessions scheduled throughout the coming year, will feature the presentation of research findings with Q&A and trend analysis; interviews with executives, dealmakers and authors; new product or service presentations; and discussions around timely, relevant issues before the industry. Registrations will be available by company to make it even more affordable. Watch for an announcement of the first event in the coming weeks.

NARM is welcoming proposals for speakers and topics for the new event series from members and the industry at-large. There are also opportunities for sponsorships and product presentations.

The new event series will take place in addition to NARM’s twice-yearly Industry Summits, which have been tentatively scheduled for 2010 in February on the West Coast and August on the East Coast. The 52nd Annual Convention, NARM Connects: Physical…Digital…Mobile, will be May 14-17, 2010, at the Chicago Hilton.