On Monday I attended the DMA Fast Forward event where we had the pleasure of listening to three very engaging speakers. John Greco, President and CEO of the DMA, gave us insight and updates on the DMA organization, how they have reacted to the downturn of the economy, and the ways that they are moving forward with a changed landscape. Kelly Browning, EVP & CEO of the American Institute for Cancer Research and Chair of the DMA Board of Directors, gave mailers a perspective on the challenges that he sees in the future of direct mail.

We were then treated to the speaker and author Edie Weiner, President of Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc. - a futurist consulting group. I was inspired and rejuvenated by Edie who promoted that in a time of change we should not only think clearly but think differently. As I read FutureThink I plan to challenge our staff to stop following the same path, simply because that is how it has always been done, but to question and challenge the path never taken - to challenge the comfortable, and work through the bumps in an ever changing industry. And, in a down turned economy, the future thinkers will come out ahead and possibly stronger.

I believe FastForward lived up to its claim to jump-start the creative thought process. It was an inspirational day.