CASRO

Gorgeous blue skies and the unique Sonoran Desert landscape served as the backdrop for CASRO’s 32nd Annual Conference, held from October 10-12 at the Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale. Once again this proved to be the must-attend event of the year for survey research company leaders, who soaked up some sun along with insights from an accomplished list of presenters.

In addition to the interactive sessions and networking opportunities, attendees enjoyed a sold-out golf outing at the new and highly acclaimed Troon North Golf Club, tennis, a shopping excursion and a guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s famed Taliesin home.

One of the most talked about sessions was “Innovation from the Client Perspective” in which Dave Williams, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Research and Analysis at Best Buy and David Goulait, Associate Director, R&D, Disruptive Market Innovation at Procter & Gamble provided eye-opening accounts of how they use research to innovate their business processes.

Always of interest are which technologies leading companies are now deploying and what’s on their radar. Attendees were not disappointed by “Innovation in Technology”, in which panelists Robert L. Cohen, President & CEO, Scarborough Research, Sean Fitzpatrick, President, Talent Map,Bruce Tedesco, Senior Vice President, OTX Corporation, and Colin Shearer, Vice President of Customer Analytics, SPSS, Inc. discussed data mining and predictive analytics, software innovation and other technologies being employed to improve the effectiveness in data analysis and data reporting/dissemination.

A prime benefit of CASRO membership was optimized by many company leaders who attended the Financial Highlights session, a review of the detailed findings of CASRO’s most recent Financial and Compensation surveys, hosted by Kevin Menk, Managing Partner, Strategic Resource Partners, L.L.C., and CASRO’s Treasurer. Following the main presentation, special Financial/Compensation Survey Breakouts were tailored for businesses by annual revenue ranges. These interactive sessions featured frank, open discussions between entrepreneurs and senior executives who learned from each others’ experiences.

Executives considering an infusion of capital or the sale of their business received an inside look at how private equity and venture capital firms value and evaluate marketing research companies, and invest in innovation and growth in “Investment Innovation”. The panel was organized and moderated by Andrew Morrison, Chairman & CEO Market Strategies, Inc., and featured Michael P. Connors, Information Services Group, Inc. and Paul Kasper of American Securities.

During the conference, CASRO announced its Board officers for 2007: Chet Zalesky, President, CMI, Chair; Andrew Morrison, Chairman & CEO, Market Strategies, Inc., Chair-elect; Roseanne Luth, CEO, Luth Research, Secretary; and serving another year as Treasurer is Kevin Menk, Managing Partner, Strategic Resource Partners, L.L.C.

CASRO thanks all attendees, exhibitors and sponsors for their support.
We extend our appreciation for the work of the 32nd Annual Conference Committee:

Co-Chairs: John P. McDonald, President, MORPACE International, Inc., and David N. Richardson, Partner, Artemis Strategy Group.
Committee: Robert L. Cohen, President & CEO, Scarborough Research, Morris R. Davis, President, M. Davis and Company, Inc., Andrew Morrison, Chairman & CEO, Market Strategies, Inc., Karyn Schoenbart, President & COO, The NPD Group, Inc., Diane K. Bowers, President, CASRO.

CASRO received excellent feedback from attendees. Thanks to all who responded to the post-conference surveys and congratulations to the survey prize winners:

- Ipod Touch: Kim White

- Case of Wine: Amy Hebard

- Canon PowerShot Camera: Eric Alzuhn

		From left to right, Jack McDonald, Conference Co-Chair; Eileen Campbell, Board Chair; Diane Bowers, CASRO President; and Dave Richardson, Conference Co-Chair welcomed attendees.
		The event kicked off with keynote speaker Erich Joachimsthaler, Founder and CEO, Vivaldi Partners and author of “Hidden in Plain Sight: How to Find and Execute Your Company’s Next Big Growth Strategy.” Erich impressed the audience by linking his novel thoughts on innovation with the current state of the survey research industry. Each registrant received a complimentary copy of Erich’s latest book and the author signed several copies as he chatted with guests following his presentation.
		Karyn Schoenbart, President & Chief Operating Officer of The NPD Group, Inc., shared the details of her company’s comprehensive and creative yearlong onboarding program during a session on employee hiring and retention innovation. Her fellow panelists, Morris R. Davis, President, M. Davis and Company, Inc., Lock Collins, HR Practice Leader, Cambiar, L.L.C., and Cindy Akins, Vice President, Human Resources, Millward Brown, Inc., provided insight on current recruitment and retention strategies and trends and gave sage advice to attendees many questions.
		Adding a real-time research component to the sessions was audience polling with Perception Analyzers provided by MSInteractive.
		Joseph F. Baldi, Jr., Chair, CASRO Career Development Task Force, provides an update on CASRO’sResearch Career Development initiative in the “Best of CASRO” session. Pictured from left on the panel, are Diane Bowers, CASRO President, who provided an overview of organization activities; Roseanne Luth, CEO, Luth Research, and Chair, CASRO University Committee, who provided a recap of the success of the 2007 conferences and workshops; and Duane Berlin, CASRO General Council, who detailed ongoing Government & Public Affairs & Self Regulation activities.
		Greenfield Online once again proved gracious hosts at the barbecue lunch and golf tournament at Troon North Golf Club. The company presented generous prizes for Closest to the Pin (Jon Kulok and Jim Cummins), Longest Drive (Don Pietrowski and Mckenzie Hogan) and lowest team score (Jim Stone, Scot Astor, T.J. Andre, 1st Place; Jon Kulok, Sam Weinstein, Steve Sherrill, J.J. Cramer, 2nd place; Jim Cummins, Gregg Kennedy, Josh Epstein, Randy Thaman, 3rd Place)
		CASRO President Diane Bowers (right) honors 2007 Board Chair Eileen Campbell (left) and Board member David N. Richardson, Partner, Artemis Strategy Group, for their dedicated service to CASRO.Vendors in the sold-out exhibition space enjoyed valuable face time with the industry’s leading decision makers

Vendors in the sold-out exhibition space enjoyed valuable face time with the industry’s leading decision makers.

Mark your calendars now for CASRO’s 33rd Annual Conference, at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, October 15 - October 17, 2008.